The Silent Gift

"I'd like to give you all an invisible gift." ~ Fred Rogers

Less than a year before his death, Fred McFeeley Rogers (1928-2003),
television's beloved Mister Rogers, gave a Commencement speech to
the graduating class of Dartmouth College, 2002. Here is
the "invisible gift" that he gave to the graduates... and all of
us...

"I'd like to give you all an invisible gift. A gift of a silent
minute to think about those who have helped you become who you are
today. Some of them may be here right now. Some may be far away.

Some, like my astronomy professor, may even be in Heaven. But
wherever they are, if they've loved you and encouraged you and
wanted what was best in life for you, they're right inside yourself.

And I feel that you deserve quiet time on this special occasion to
devote some thought to them. So let's just take a minute in honor of
those who have cared about us all along the way. One silent minute.

Whomever you've been thinking about, imagine how grateful they must
be that during your silent times you remember how important they are
to you."

It's not the honors and the prizes and the fancy outsides of life
which ultimately nourish our souls. It's the knowing that we can be
trusted, that we never have to fear the truth, that the bedrock of
our lives from which we make our choices is very good stuff."

Thank you, Mr. Rogers for this wonderful gift... By taking the time
to pause and remember that our successes are built on the people who
helped us along the way, the heart overflows with gratitude and hope.

Now pass this gift on...

~~Take a silent moment.