【1984 Archives】

"When I was a boy984 ArchivesI 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,'" Fred Rogers once famously said.

Late Monday night, writer Anthony Breznican began a heartfelt Twitter spree with this quote, before sharing memories of a chance encounter with the beloved host of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.

Breznican was prompted by a tweet that claimed it was the 50th anniversary of the show, and while it's technically just the 49th anniversary (the show aired in America in February 1968), the story still tugs on the heartstrings.

“Fred Rogers was from Pittsburgh, my hometown, and my generation grew up loving this man, who taught us to be kind above all," Breznican wrote. "Fred Rogers was the real thing. That gentle soul? It was no act. As I got older, I lost touch with the show, which kept running through 2001. But in college, one day, I rediscovered it."

Breznican went on to explain the personal hardship he was facing during college, and how stumbling upon a TV playing the popular public television show Mister Rogers Neighborhoodchanged him.

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"I can't believe it. I get in and he nods at me. I do back. I think he could sense a geek-out coming. But I kept it together. Almost," Breznican recalled. "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.'"

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"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!," Breznican wrote.

After making small talk with the television personality, Breznican explained that he told Mr. Rogers he had stumbled upon the show during a time he needed comfort which led to a memorable and heartfelt interaction between the two of them.

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"I like to think I didn't go on and on, but pretty soon he was telling me about his grandfather & a boat the old man bought him as a kid," he said. "Mr. Rogers asked how long ago Pap had died. It was a couple months. His grandfather was obviously gone decades."

Mr. Rogers then, shared wise and comforting words with Breznican.

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If you miss the sound of Mr. Rogers' voice, below you can hear him utter the quote that many are saying have helped them understand how to talk to their children in the wake of Monday night's Manchester attack, one of the deadliest on UK soil since 2005:

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