Last night a number of us from The Emily Dahl Foundation attended the worldwide candle lighting in support of The Compassionate Friends in Vernon. 

While sitting at Paddle Wheel Hall in the darkened room with Candles lit for all those that we love, both here, and those in "heaven” - I drifted off thinking about Fred Rogers. 

Fred Roger’s was an amazing mystic of sorts, so lets honor and remember this extraordinary teacher and pastor to millions. The documentary on his life and work, “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”, is a masterpiece in its own right, not to be missed - and it ends with a lovely homage to a famous Mister Rogers moment at Dartmouth College. 

Fred put it like this:

"I’d like to give you all an invisible gift. A gift of a silent minute to think about those who have helped you become who you are today.  Some of them may be here right now.  Some may be far away.  Some, like my astronomy professor, may even be in heaven.  But wherever they are, if they’ve loved you, and encouraged you, and wanted what was best in life for you, they’re right inside your self.  And I feel that you deserve quiet time, on this special occasion, to devote some thought to them.  So, let’s just take a minute, in honor of those that have cared about us all along the way.  One silent minute...

Whomever you’ve been thinking about, imagine how grateful they must be, that during your silent times, you remember how important they are to you.  It’s not the honors and the prizes, and the fancy outsides of life which ultimately nourish our souls.  It’s the knowing that we can be trusted.  That we never have to fear the truth.  That the bedrock of our lives, from which we make our choices, is very good stuff." 

Last night at the candle lighting - I took a minute, in the silence of my heart and thought about how much Emily loved all her family and friends into who we all are today. 

This is an amazing way to remember and cherish your loved ones!   

Sherman Dahl 
The Emily Dahl Foundation 
December 11, 2023