“But it’s you I like

Every part of you.

Your skin, your eyes, your feelings

Whether old or new

I hope that you’ll remember

Even when you’re feeling blue

That it’s you I like.”

~“It’s You I Like” by Fred Rogers 

Stepping foot inside of a cozy, two story house, these song lyrics played. There is never a feeling that there is a superior, but simply someone to whom I could tell and ask for anything. It is understood that anything is in play. 

Whether it be staying in and watching the biggest sports game at night or a miniature golf tournament around the city or embarking on a thirty-five minute drive to the last remaining movie theatre that resembled a traditional streetside cinema, the emotions in those moments are real. 

Expression, passion and stepping outside of your comfort zone are encouraged when you’re immersing yourself in the present moment. Laughter is commonplace, and quips directed at yourself even tend to force out a chuckle.

This is the sanctuary that a role model, in the form of my grandfather, provides. All that I could aspire towards is to attempt to provide the feeling to those around me that he gave to myself and everyone who he interacts with. 

Functional selflessness is very attractive, and as a result, my grandfather attracts many people. Everyone seems to feel the same way about him, and he seems to treat them all alike. It is not the things he does, but a certain attitude he carries. Through his attitude and each little moment where he decided to brighten someone’s day, an impression has made its mark on me. 

Telling janitors they’re appreciated, commending nurses for their duties and informing cashiers that they carried themselves in a professional manner are a few of the many situations I can remember that have made me extremely comfortable with my grandfather. His acts of kindness left me wondering why I do not see more of these occurrences. 

It would be quite easy to go about life pursuing an attitude of comfort, easiness and accessible stability. But is that how one changes lives? In my eighteen short years, I have found that one of the only parts of life that makes sense is brightening the day of each person around you. 

People, places, situations and times change. Attitudes and the way of life goes on agelessly, through Fred Rogers—my grandfather’s inspiration—through me, and through others. It is the pursuit of trying to create one more smile on each face you see.

“I like you as you are

I wouldn’t want to change you

Or even rearrange you

Not by far

I like you

I-L-I-K-E-Y-O-U

I like you, yes I do

I like you, Y-O-U

I like you, like you as you are.”

These were not lyrics I heard playing, but ones demonstrated by my grandfather, and that will live on through me.