The familiar music, the little model trees, the sudden camera shot to the porch, and then to the inside of an unopened door. A jump back into the 60's. A step back into my childhood.

"It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, a beautiful day in the neighborhood, would you be mine? Would you be mine? I have always wanted to have a neighbor, just like you to come with me and live in the neighborhood. So, let's make the most of this beautiful day, since we are here we might as well say, `Would you be mine, could you be mine? Won't you be my neighbor? Hello Neighbor.'"

Hello, Mr. Rogers.

Immediately I was back into the routine. I guess Mr. Rogers never left. He never moved into a retired living community or updated the curtains in the house. He, along with his quirky habits, remained untouched by the outside world since I had left him, some 15 years ago.

I watched him walk to the closet, exchange his jacket for a button down sweater. I watched him take his tennis shoes out and walk to the bench. I watched him take off his loafers, exchange shoes and tie up the sneakers. In spite of my absence, the routine didn't change.

First, the jacket change, next the little talk on the bench, and then, the feeding of the fish. The memories continued. The timeless conversation between Mr. Rogers and the chimed bell voice of the Trolley. The Land of Make Believe. Lady Elaine Fairchild. King Friday. Mr. McFeeley.

Who can forget the picture that magically turned into a big television that would lead adventures to unknown territories? I remember my favorite place Picture Picture took us — the Crayola Crayon factory. I loved to watch the little crayons get labeled and packaged. How fun!

But, as soon as it had begun, he was putting away the toy tree and castle and walking past the fish through the doorway into the living room. I knew it was about to be over. And, almost instinctively, a mn, part of my brain turned on that obviously had not been used in quite a while.

"It's such a good feeling to know you're alive it's such a happy feeling, growing inside, and when you wake up ready to say, I'm going to make a snappy today. It's such a good feeling, a very good feeling. Know that I'll be back when the day is new, and I'll have more ideas for you. And, you'll have things you will want to talk about, I will too."

I admit, I sang loudly enough to bring onlookers. But, they didn't stare — they sang along. The singing led to an hour-long discussion of our Mr.Rogers memories and the related stories of our childhood. It was really funny. I was not alone. And better yet, I wasn't the only person who remembered all the words to the song.

Later that evening, I called my mom. She laughed and commented; "I'm not surprised; you always loved him." Mom also informed me of the Crayola Factory, and how I was still on the waiting list to take the tour. But, Mom was also the bringer of bad news. There would be no more new adventures in Make-Believe, no more speedy deliveries to the Roger house. However, luckily, the deliveries will continue in the form of reruns for many years to come.

For Mr. Rogers — 33 years and more than 1,000 episodes. For me, a lifetime of mesmerizing priceless entertainment.

So long, neighbor.

The neighborhood won't be the same without you.

• PBS 2000