Monday’s devastating terror attack in Manchester that left 22 concertgoers dead and 59 wounded sparked an international outpouring of grief and sympathy. In the hours and days following the attack, a popular quote from everybody’s favorite “neighbor,” Fred Rogers, began circulating on social media:
When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” To this day, especially in times of “disaster,” I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.
Indeed there were many “helpers” who stepped up after the deadly blast at Manchester Arena left hundreds of individuals and families displaced. But the widespread invocation of Rogers’ words led to knew insight about the late children’s show host himself.
READ: Meet the Manchester Terror Victim Who Died After Shielding Her Niece From the Blast
On Monday night, novelist and journalist Anthony Breznican compiled a series of tweets in explaining the personal mark Rogers left on his life:
A lot of people are sharing this quote after the heartbreak in Manchester. It's also the 50th anniversary of Mr. Roger's Neighborhood. 1/ pic.twitter.com/zDnTrTcJ8v
— Anthony Breznican (@Breznican) May 23, 2017
“Fred Rogers was the real thing,” Breznican wrote. “That gentle soul? It was no act.”
He went on to describe a special encounter with Rogers, a fellow Pittsburgh native and real-life “neighbor” to Breznican.
As a college student at the University of Pittsburgh, Breznican rediscovered Rogers’ show, “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” during a time of great distress while working for the school newspaper.
It feels silly to say – it felt silly then – but I stood mesmerized. His show felt like a cool hand on a hot head. I left feeling better. 9/
— Anthony Breznican (@Breznican) May 23, 2017
Days later, Breznican found himself face-to-face with Rogers in the lobby of the student newspaper’s offices. Then, this happened:
The doors open, he lets me go out first. I go, but turn around. "Mr. Rogers… I don't mean to bother you. But I wanted to say thanks." 13/
— Anthony Breznican (@Breznican) May 23, 2017
He smiles, but this has to happen to him every 10 feet. "Did you grow up as one of my neighbors?" I felt like crying. Yeah. I was. 14/
— Anthony Breznican (@Breznican) May 23, 2017
Opens his arms, lifting his satchel for a hug. "It's good to see you again neighbor." I got to hug Mr. Rogers, y'all! 15/
— Anthony Breznican (@Breznican) May 23, 2017
The two then had a heart-to-heart in which Breznican shared what had been troubling him:
So I sat. I told him my grandfather had just died. He was one of the few good things I had. I felt adrift. Brokenhearted. 20/
— Anthony Breznican (@Breznican) May 23, 2017
Rogers then shared a story about his own grandfather, whom he said he still missed decades after his passing.
“You’ll never stop missing the people you love,” he told Breznican.
When the two finally parted ways, Breznican apologized for having delayed Rogers’ appointment.
“Sometimes you’re right where you need to be,” Rogers replied.
Breznican currently works as a writer and radio host for Entertainment Weekly. This week, the entertainment news outlet reported that Twitch TV is running a “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” online marathon through the end of May. Because the world could use more people like Mr. Rogers, especially now.
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Other Must-Read Stories:
— Why This Manchester Native Wants People to ‘Stop Celebrating’ His Hometown in Wake of Attack
– Meet the Brave Manchester Terror Victim Who Died After Heroically Shielding Her Niece From the Blast