Fred Rogers Would be Proud
Fred Rogers was an icon in the world of children’s television. His kindly manner made every viewer wish we were all neighbors. His favorite phrase, “I love you,” prompted creation of a reference to 1-4-3 deeds, representing the number of letters in each word of that phrase. Gov. Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania, Rogers’ home state, designated the 143rd day of the year as “1-4-3- Day in PA” when people could focus on acts of love and kindness. The third anniversary of that date was just celebrated. People had an opportunity to register their good deeds online, and over 2400 did so (hashtag #143DayinPA).
That focus was, of course, commendable, but obviously we do not need a special day to perform such deeds of love and kindness. I still recall the warmth in my heart when I read about a deed reported over a year ago (Cathy Lee in the Washington Post). But the woman who was the object of such a deed has an even greater warmth in her heart.
Two police officers, a beleaguered group these days, were patrolling in Norcross, GA. They spotted a woman standing on a street corner on a frigid January night. She was holding a small bunch of Birthday balloons. On a hunch, they asked her if she needed a ride home. She accepted and revealed she’d walked miles in the cold to get the balloons, but sadly regretted she had no cake for her daughter’s first birthday.
When they all arrived at the woman’s apartment, a Birthday cake with a single candle was in hand, as one of the officers was able to make a side trip to purchase the cake and a candle. And with his own money! The officers were thrilled to join in singing, “Happy Birthday” with the single mother, the 1-year-old birthday girl, and two more appreciative daughters. Fred Rogers would have called this a “1-4-3” deed. In keeping with the theme of this blog, I would call it “Love Lived Large.” No matter what the name, and more importantly, no matter what the day, that we think about and consciously perform these deeds is what really matters.