August began wrapped in sadness. Donald Shomaker passed. When I think of Donald, I think of that scripture. You know the one. From the bible. Matthew 25:21
"His lord said unto him, well done, thou good and faithful servant..."Donald was a sweet, funny man. Years back, he was in a mining accident. He hurt. All the time. Every bump in the road, every slight movement brought moans of pain. Then just as quickly as the agony left his lips came a statement. "You're doing good." Never, ever, EVER did he make you feel you weren't enough or trying as hard as you could. He was the kindest man.
I love Mr. Rogers. I like how he talked TO kids and taught in such a way that children understood and grasped the message. He vocalized that emotion is good and that letting it out releases anger, fear and frustration while instantly gaining inner peace.
According to Insider.com:
"You may know him simply as "Mister Rogers" but Fred Rogers, the man behind the beloved children's show "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" that ran for 33 years, was more than a TV personality. He was also a producer, writer, musician, puppeteer, show runner and Presbyterian minister."Donald lived simply. He furloughed his goals and dreams to raise 3 wonderful children and never regretted a minute of that decision. I met Donald when I was 14. He had just "found" religion, gave up all his ghosts and demons and remained a faithful member of the LDS church until his last breath. To me, that showed his strength, his integrity, his perseverance and his loyalty. He was way smarter and stronger than he ever let show.
I guess my take-away from his life is this: Get to know the "insides" of people. The ticking in each of us that makes the pieces whole. Be kind. Always.
Mr. Rogers said it best. "I'm proud of you. I hope that you're proud of you too."
