Left Lane

Wednesday and Friday mornings I walk, quite briskly, to WQED where the bus drops me off. I try to ignore the building’s ugly modern architecture. I sneak a peek at the radio DJs on the bottom floor. But mostly, I look forward to doing what I love to do and (eventually) getting paid for it.

Today I noticed something quite striking, however. As I sat quietly on the can, I realized in a brief, serene calm that, indeed, I must be doing my business in the same bathroom Fred Rogers had used less than a year ago.

Fred Rogers, best known as Mr. Rogers from Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood, a classic childrens show I and all of my peers grew up watching on public television, was from Pittsburgh and taped and produced his show at WQED. The world will never forget his contributions to quality childrens programming and nice guys with sweaters.

And there I sat, on the very can he used before his untimely departure from our world. It gives me a sense of calm and peace knowing my rear has such a connection with a great man. I know you can hear me, Mr. Rogers, and before I leave WQED for another week I’d like to let you know:

I am your neighbor.

Posted in Personal, Thought, Work.