The Challenge: Write a letter to a childhood hero (real or fictional).
Kim:
My childhood hero was Mr. Fred Rogers. The half hour I spent with him each morning was one of the favorite parts of my day. His gentle friendly nature taught me a lot about what it means to be a good friend. His adventures to factories and behind the scenes gave me permission to be curious about things I knew nothing about. After going to school for Early Childhood Education I really appreciate Mr. Roger’s skills even more. His sincere devotion to helping kids and the methods he used to do that were genius! Since Mr. Rogers passed away almost three years ago, I decided to send my letter to his wife, Joanne. I am blessed that he was my neighbor.
Dear Mrs. Rogers,
I was recently asked to write a letter to my childhood hero. I immediately thought of your husband, Fred. As a child Fred taught me so many things about life and learning. He encouraged curiosity and playfulness. His gentle and thoughtful nature modeled sincerity in friendships and integrity. Of course as a child I didn’t realize that the 1/2 hour a day that I spent with Mr. Rogers was teaching me so much. I just knew that he was my neighbor and I liked spending that 1/2 hour with him.
After receiving a degree in Early Childhood Education and teaching Kindergarten for 5 years, I had the chance to watch an episode of his show as an adult. I was blown away by the amount of learning that his jammed packed into that 1/2 hour in such creative ways. I saw his show through a whole new lens. Hearing his gentle voice speaking to me through the television reminded me how much he really affected me as a small child.
My husband and I work together now to help improve the lives of children and to encourage grown-ups to “Escape Adulthood” and return to childhood. It is not always an easy road, as I’m sure the road you and Fred journeyed together was also not that easy at times. I just want to thank you for supporting him and being his partner on the journey. My life has been forever changed by his ministry!
God bless!
Kim
Jason:
I wrote a letter to my boyhood hero, baseball player Ryne Sandberg. I am planning on sending the letter to him via the Cubs, with an old baseball card I’m hoping he’ll sign. My brothers and I used to write to athletes for autographs when we were kids, so this was definitely a blast from the past. Here’s the letter:
Dear Mr. Sandberg,
I wanted to take a few moments to thank you for all that you gave to me and the game of baseball. I grew up a Cubs fan, and from day one, you were my favorite. I admired your blend of speed, power, and fielding prowess. Probably more than that, although it took me a while to realize it, I admired your integrity and professionalism. Because of you, I always wanted to play second base, and I got pretty good at it in high school.As I’ve grown up, it appears that you’re about the only sports hero I looked up to that still has his integrity in tact. That point was driven home pretty clearly when I heard your Hall of Fame induction speech. You stood up against the me-first attitude that has dominated pro sports and upheld the ideals of teamwork, commitment, and professionalism. It’s too bad there aren’t more role models like you.
I “retired” from baseball after high school to pursue my other love, art. But the standards you modeled while playing for the Cubs have stuck with me my whole life. I try to approach my career with the same quiet professionalism and dedication that you displayed on the field and in the media. I’d just like to offer you a belated congratulations on making it into the Hall of Fame, and thank you for being one of the good guys.
Good luck with all your future endeavors.
Sincerely,
Jason W. KoteckiP.S. I never was able to meet you or get anything autographed by you, but if you have the time to scribble on the baseball card I’ve included, I sure would appreciate it.
Dark Room Confessionals:
Bonus Video: Kim | Jason
So, who was most creative with today’s challenge? Who went beyond the comfort zone and put the biggest hammer on Adultitis? Who did a better job of capturing the spirit of childhood, Kim or Jason? Cast Your Vote!
Tomorrow’s Challenge: Audio Sneak Peek
In these times of people searching for hero’s it’s too bad that people don’t or can’t look in their own homes. My hero is my Dad. And even though I haven’t talked to him in over 37 years I still think about him just about everyday.
Dear Dad:
You may not have been aware of the impact you had on me but it was huge and some of the things I observed and experienced years ago are still with me.
I remember you coming home from work as a carpenter. You were worn out but you still had a smile on your face. And I remember looking at your forearms. They were huge! Like tree trunks.
I remember you taking me fishing and you finding the “hot” spots and then calling me over to try my luck as you went to find another spot.
I remember all the volunteer work you did for the church and friends using your carpenter talents.
I remember all the friends you had. Your pleasant smile made people feel good about themselves when they were around you.
I remember that “feel” that our home had of honesty, integrity, always doing the right thing.
And it always amazed me how your work ethic followed you years after you were gone. For many years people who tell me how my dad worked like 2 or 3 not one and that he was the best carpenter they had ever known.
In closing I would like to thank you for sending my father-in-law Harold around along with my boss Peter G. You put some good subs in!
See you around. Love, your son, Walter Marvin
To me, a hero is someone you look up to. Growing up, I looked up to my older brother Cory. We were both in a performance group together and he was such a fantastic performer, while having a hilarious sense of humor and putting a smile on the faces of those around him. I’m going now to write him a letter.
To me, a hero is someone who helps to encourage you, to inspire you to believe in yourself and in your dreams – and someone whom you admire in return. I’m going to write my letter to Mrs. Townsend, one of my high school teachers, who was a wonderful mentor and confidante while I was in high school – and with whom I am blessed to have a wonderful friendship! Thanks, Mrs. T, for always seeing my “greatness”, and helping me to see it too!
One of the things I loved most as a kid was reading. And while I read just about every kind of story, there were a couple of series that I was particularly fond of – Nancy Drew and Trixie Beldon Mysteries. So I sat down tonight and wrote a letter to each of the authors. While there have been many writers for the series through the years, both the original authors have since died. I think I might share the letters to the publishers of the series. As I was writing I was remembering and I found myself totally back to that 8, 10, 13 year old girl who lost herself in these adventures. I need to find those books again 🙂
I’m going to copy Jenna for this one and write to Richard Bach, author of my all-time favourite book Jonathan Livingstone Seagull.
I picked up the book in secondary (high) school because I just needed a book for a class project, and quickly fell in love with it. So, I’m going to write to Mr Bach to thank him for writing such an awesome and inspiring book.
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I wrote a letter to an old friend who I haven’t seen for a while.
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I penned a note to “Weird” Al Yankovic today!
And Jason, I’m curious… Did Ryne Sandberg autograph that card for you?