Please note: this piece was also published in The Huffington Post.

It seems rather fitting that the birthday of the late Fred McFeely Rogers (1928-2003) – the renowned, award-winning creator and host of the creative children’s television series Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood – falls on the first day of Spring each year, March 20.

I can hardly think of a better way to welcome our long lost “neighbor” – the much anticipated, desperately needed Spring season – than to recall the catchy tune Mister Rogers routinely sang with a warm and friendly demeanor during the beginning of each show:

“It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood,

a beautiful day for a neighbor.

Would you be mine?

Could you be mine?…

…Won’t you be my neighbor?” Read more