Beautiful Day in the Chemo-hood

If you have read my Halloween post from last year, you know that for the past five Octobers, I have been showing up for my weekly treatment at the Cache Valley Cancer Center in costume.

This year was no exception.

Mr. Fred Rogers has been mimicked, mocked, and parodied many times by many people for many years. I planned my costume not as a satire, but as a tribute.

I have always felt great affection for Mr. Rogers. He spoke kindly to me, told me I was special, and didn't seem to mind when I sang along with him. He said "I like you just the way you are" ─ a message I needed then ─ and which, come to think of it, perhaps this old world could really benefit from today.

He worked to make sure that there was a safe place in television for children. He wanted children to have a place where their feelings were okay. He showed us that people who don't look or talk or walk just like us can be our friends.

He showed us, in words and action, what it means to be a friend.

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In the book of Luke, Jesus taught the importance of loving our neighbors.

And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
He said unto him, What is written in the law?  how readest thou?
And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?  (Luke 10:25 - 29)

And then He told the story of the Good Samaritan to redefine what a neighbor is: one who shows mercy and compassion to another ─ regardless of geography. 

Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? 

And he said, He that shewed mercy on him.  

Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

Mr. Rogers walked in the door every morning for 31 years and sang a happy song while he put on his sweater and changed his shoes. Than he looked the world in the eye and said, "Hello, neighbor."

That's why I put on my costume and performed his songs at the cancer center. I did it quite poorly, but I made some people laugh and smile, and perhaps eased a burden or two. Maybe, for a minute. I was almost as good a neighbor as he was.

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Some of my fellow Chemo-weeners:

Tina the Terrible

The Incredible Hulk. Don't make him mad!
(He's actually the Incredibly Nice Hulk)

A couple of very Good Witches

It's a beautiful day in this Chemo-hood,

A beautiful day to do Chemo,

Would you do mine?

Could you start my line?

It's a neighborly day in this Cancer place,

You probably think I should not show my face –

But, I'm feeling fine, most of the time –

That's why I'm here, for Chemo.

I have always wanted to have a tumor, just like you,

I've always wanted to get my treatment here, with you.

So let's make the most of this Cancerful thing,

Since we're in treatment, we might as well sing:

Would you do mine? Hey, run my line?

Won't you start my Chemo?

Won't you please, Won't you please, Please won't you start my chemo?

It's such a good feeling

To know you're alive -

It's such a happy feeling; we're gonna survive,

And when you wake up ready to say -

I'm gonna fight some cancer today!

It's such a good feeling,

A very good feeling,

A feeling you know you're alive.

There are many articles and essays about Mr. Roger online. Here's one I liked:
http://www.avclub.com/article/is-imister-rogers-neighborhoodi-the-greatest-telev-91882