27 March 2012

I Want To Live In Mr. Rogers Neighborhood

My Hood.

So, why you ask?  Why do you want to live in Mister Rogers Neighborhood when you live in such an awesome neighborhood already?  Well, if you have a little time, grab a cuppa, come spend a wee bit of time with me and I'll tell ya.  Welcome!
  
You probably already know Kathy from her, pretty much famous writers workshop.  She also has a blog AND she does videos over at SheKnows Mommalogues, which if you haven't checked that out you should because, it will give you a big laugh every day, and we all know that big laughs are good for you.  They're better than vitamins even!

On the Mommalogues Site, lots of mommy's, even some famous ones, film video responses to everyday questions that moms are asked.  Mama Kat answered the question recently, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO GROW UP AND BE WHEN YOU WERE A LITTLE GIRL? Then she put the question out there for us to answer too.  I commented that, I wanted to live in Mister Roger's Neighborhood so he could love me just the way I am.  Then, Kathy commented to me that she thought that was sad but would make a good blog post.  Then she linked me in her writers workshop and whew!  That meant I had to get off my beach bum hiney and back on this blog to post an explanation to that glib response of mine.  It worked and here I am so, thanks Kathy!  You make me laugh everyday, but you really motivated me to write today.

The way I see it the most important gift is the gift of life.  And the most important thing about life is to love and be loved. But how many people love you just the way you are?  No, really.  Think about that.  I often don't even love myself just the way I am, so how can anybody else, right?  It's really not that deep, it's just a little something I think about now and again.  But, sometimes there's somebody who really does love you, just the way you are.  And Mister Rogers did.  He really did, he said so himself every day in the between 1968 and 2001 on his original TV show, Mister Roger's Neighborhood and you and your kids can still hear him exclaim it today right here at Mr. Roger's Neighborhood on KPBS.  That's where you can find it if you live in California where I do, but if you go to the site you can find out when and where it's on in your state. I know, Yea!  We all know by now that every thing we hear on TV is true, right!  So, in short that was my answer to Kathy's question and I'm stickin by it.  However: those of you who know me by now, know I can never keep anything short, ("laudy, no matter how I try"), so here's the rest of the story. 

The following was a gift from my eldest son, to me, for my birthday.  Yup, it's a re-post but, my blog is so unorganized at the moment you wouldn't be able to find it if you had the time to try, so here it is again but, in a revised form. 


There hasn't been a day since my son wrote this for me that I haven't read it.  And it brings happy tears of love to my eyes every time. For some odd reason this kid knows me and loves me anyway.  Not only that, (just like Mr. R.) he loves me just the way I am!

Today and every day is a day to be happy to be alive no matter who you are, where you are, or what your situation.  Just because you are.  Because of that, I leave you with one of the greatest blessings I have in my life.  A love note from my son to me for my birthday.  Children certainly are, a heritage of the Lord!
  
 
I simply can't imagine a world without you.  So today as you complete your 55th trip around the sun, I give you 55 reasons I love you, mom...

1    Your penchant for cozy socks
2    Your sense of humor
3    You passed down to me your germaphobic habits
4    How very religious and prayerful you are
5    Your love for dogs
6    The sound of your voice
7    Your humility
8    You drink tea everyday out of the tea cup I got you, a reminder to me that I am with you even when I'm  not
9   Your kind heart
10  Your generosity
11  How cute you look when you laugh hysterically
12  How serious you are about bloging
13  How hard you work at keeping your promises
14  The way I miss you when we're not together
15  How lucky you make me feel each day for having someone like you in my life
16  When Dylan used to bite us, you would encourage us to bite him back.  If we were crying too hard, you would do it for us
17  The smell of your perfume
18  Your handwriting
19  How we get See's every time we go to the mall together
20  You knit me scarves
21  Your smile
22  You blogstalk
23  You gave me a brother and sisters
24  You were recycling long before it was cool
25  You are very forgiving, and we've given you a lot to forgive along the way
26  You don't consider it cake unless it is chocolate
27  You bring me Sprite and toast cut into strips when I'm sick
28  You listen to good music
29  You kissed James Taylor
30  You have pretty hair
31  You cry during romantic comedies
32  I love watching movies with you, even though you talk the whole time
33  Your freckles
34  You are an amazing writer
35  You're strong, in many ways
36  You have traveled all over
37  I inherited your artistic abilities, a talent of mine I value above all else
38  We are more alike than I sometimes care to admit
39  You taught me well
40  You let me make my own decisions
41  Your hands are always cold
42  Your heart is always warm
43  You love yoga, I love yoga
44  You spoil me
45  When I was little you always let me borrow your beloved silky blanket
46  My favorite birthday present I ever got was the letter you wrote me when I turned 19.  I cried when I read it
47  You let me keep Bailey
48  You like Soulja Boi
49  You married your best friend
50  You make me laugh
51  You survived my teen years
52  You are convinced that all of your grandchildren are gifted and talented.  Really, they are
53  You always told us our birth stories on our birthdays growing up, even if we didn't always want to hear them
54  You make lists
55  Dessert doesn't always have to come last in our house

I love you more than all the days we've been together,

Cooper

  
My son Cooper, because you took all the love I gave you and gave it back to me in one simple note on my birthday, and therefore made me feel like a bizillion bucks and because you love me, "just the way I am", (just like Mister Roger's)- 



You're my hero, boyo!

I love you more than all the love there is in the world...
My son Cooper is a Junior in college now.  He carries a full load at a rigorous University, works two jobs and has an internship in his field this year.  He is always doing service hours, feeding the homeless, visiting rest homes, (where he has a 100 year old girlfriend), and tutors kids in the poorer areas of Los Angeles. Yes, it's true I'm bragging big time, wouldn't you!  I'm just so proud of him and I can't imagine where he got the time to write 55 things about why he loves me. But he did and that's what made my heart sing.  He also writes a little blog when he has the time, which isn't often but, you might enjoy getting to know him and his art a little better. I'm willing to share him as long as I always get him back.  So, if you want to visit him, his blog is called Look Hear.
So, go forth, love one another and remember, even if nobody else does, just like good old Mister Roger's, I also love you, just the way you are!  
Blessings one and all,
Tia

12 comments:

Margaret (Peggy or Peg too) said...

Sounds like a Billy Joel song.
Can anyone say anything more beautiful to another?
I think not.
:-)

Blondie's Journal said...

With a letter like that from your son, how could you NOT love yourself?! He is wise beyond his years and you have every reason to be proud of him. And thank yourself for raising such a sweet, handsome young man!

I miss Mr. Rogers. Think of all the messages he sent out to kids, mine included, that they carry around to this day!

XO,
Jane

NanaDiana said...

I remember when your son wrote this for you- What an amazing kid! It is true- most of us are loved/or love with conditions attached. I try to love unconditionally but it is not always easy to do, is it? Easier with family and close friends- harder when we are disconnected from someone.

Blessings to you today, Tia! xo Diana

enthusiastically, dawn said...

Wow! He is ADORABLE!

Jamie Miles said...

What a wonderful gift from your son. As a mom with my eldest set to leave for college in the fall -- I can think of no better gift. And another reason for my comment is that Mr. Rogers went to Rollins College in Winter Park, FL where I grew up. I read where they have a little exhibit specifically in his memory with his sweater, etc. And a fun note. I run a lot and there was a house on a lake and beautiful cottage Tudor like that I always said was my favorite house. I recently learned that Fred Rogers owned it and used it as his Florida house. So I think of him every time I run by there.

Anonymous said...

I love your blog and I love you (unconditionally). You are an amazing wife, mom,
grandmother, Catholic, friend, blogger, writer daughter, sister, counsler, artist, photographer and your beautiful too. ##&25 (I really don't know what that means but everyone is doing it, and I want to look cool)

Love,
me (Your husband)

Unknown said...

I'll never forget the day my eldest son, then four, came rushing into the kitchen to tell me, "Mr Rogers loves me JUST THE WAY I AM!!!" I was shocked and felt guilty for always trying to correct something about how he behaved. It still gets me. :(
Rosemary

bichonpawz said...

That man...your son...should be cloned!! He is just ALL kinds of Awesome Tia!!! You should be so very proud of him! What a great son!!!
xo
Jeanne

Unknown said...

What a nice, thoughtful son you have. Oh, if I were only much younger....
Seriously, what he did showed his love for you in the best way I know. I know you are pretty special just the way you write !!
Can't believe Palm Sunday is upon us so soon. I do wish you a Happy and Joyful Easter together with your family.
It's been so nice getting to know you........

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Wow...you should be proud! What an awesome son who also loves his Mom too!
Great post...very thoughtful and soul searching.
Cindy

Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes said...

What a thoughtful and handsome son, you are blessed. I had tears coming down my eyes as I read this post!

Happy Easter to you and your beautiful family!

Mary

Rachel Cotterill said...

I wouldn't mind that view from my window! Love the colour of the sky :)