"I took your book with me on a recent ride into Boston near a place called Public Gardens overlooking Boston Harbor. Well, I sat reading a few chapters near the end of the book and was weeping, faucet on full blast. My, that makes me feel human. You've touched a nerve. Time to re-connect with my brothers."
— Scott M. Allen, Roslindale, MA.

"I truly feel that your writing was a "God sighting" for me. I struggle with looking for someone to accept me just as I am and be proud of me, too. I identified with so many of the themes of your book, from the unconditional love of a friend, to the cancer death of your dear brother, to the "furies" that came close to ruining your marriage, to the simple love of Mountain Dew...Suffice it to say that I laughed, cried, felt pride, felt pain, and without a doubt saw the love of your family, friends, and the Lord."
— Kim Jessen, Joice, IA.

"...This has blessed me more than I could adequately share with you. I began the book last night and could not put it down. I found myself blinking back tears, yet vaulted to the most joyful heights, as I digested the pages of your spectacular brotherhood with Mr. Rogers...You have left your mark on my life as profoundly as Mr. Rogers did all those years ago on television." IPOY, indeed.
— Jyll Richburg, Tyler, TX.

"My sister died this past December from cancer. Your chapters about your brother's illness and death were so resonant and so cathartic. I have struggled with my faith in the past few months and consider it a gift from God that your book came into my hands. Sometimes someone else's journey can light the way."
— Susan W.

"...I believe reading about your brother's passing helped me to shed tears about ones I have lost, and have not realized that the pain and grief was still inside of me. Thank you for sharing your experiences, your life, your family, your relationship with Fred..."
— De Guggenheim, Houston, TX.

"I sobbed for the two some odd hours it took to read IPOY to the end. I'm still working through all the wounded places of my life that have been blessed by the story of your journey...Thank you again for sharing grace of your friendships with Fred and Steve...Thank you too, for ministering to me."
— Andy Parker, Oceanside, CA.

"How quickly I related to the fractured relationship and subsequent healing you experienced with your Dad."
— Joseph K. Schamburg, IL.

"...I was just telling a friend yesterday that no matter how I act on the outside, whether I am laughing or working or painting or reading or talking, there always remains deep within me a profound and deep sadness....
When I read the letters Fred sent to you, I will pretend that I also knew him and that those letters were written to me personally. Instead of 'My dear Tim' I will substitute 'My dear Dawn.' I like to imagine that Fred, had we been friends, would have written those touching words to me."
— Dawn McElroy, Knoxville, TN.

"I wanted to thank you for your message about healing in the family. As a Catholic priest, I am ushered into many difficult situations encountered by families. Your insights gave me so much to think and pray about. Sharing your insights in the context of your friendship with Mister Rogers makes your message so available and non-threatening. I believe you have contributed an important gift in your story. Thanks much for letting me in!"
— John Fraser

"Your book has been a source of great healing for me and my...marriage. I've also been "finding" myself again after 22 years of being lost inside since my father's suicide...self discovery...all thanks to your book! I see so much of myself and my family in your book, from the days of my youth growing up in a small town, to my recent mental and marriage problems...Tim, all I can say is THANK YOU for sharing your wonderful stories and...IPOY!"
— Peter, Twin Cities, MN.

"Thank you from the bottom of my heart so much for your book. I cried through most of it and it touched my heart more than any book I have read. I feel like I knew your brother. I am going through a painful separation and my family is so very fractured. It is the most painful experience I have ever imagined and have had many days I wanted to quit living. For some reason, your book was a salvation to me. Thank you so much."
— Cindy K., Louisville, KY.

"I could not sleep until I had written you. I just finished reading it and find myself sobbing and laughing all at the same time as I remember all that Mr. Rogers meant to me...You have touched me with your words in ways you will never know. It is almost as if those letters you have hidden away are partly mine, that somehow Fred wrote them not just to you but to me, to all of us. "
— Karla Neese, Edmond, OK.

"My dad has never told me he is proud of me. Nor has he ever told me he loves me. What a great book you wrote -- I wanted to THANK YOU for writing it. Have been so sad and depressed for the past couple years. A shrink told me to read your book. I read it, and then I sent it to my dad. The following is his response, a direct result of his reading your book. Thank you for writing the book. It has been the only thing that has started to mend a huge divide. I cannot thank you enough. God Bless you, and God Bless Mr. Rogers! IPOY!!!
Sincerely,
Tom Landis, Dallas, TX.

"Your writing stirred up a lot of feelings of affirmation as well as gentle melancholy. At a time when the world craves shallow celebrity, your story touches some very deep, satisfying chords of friendship and faithfulness. Thanks."
— Paul B. Seaton, Wayne, PA

"This book was a major inspiration for me and I thank you putting yourself in it with a full heart."
— Rabbi Neil Fleischmann, N.Y., N.Y.

"Your account of losing your brother simply ripped me up. I also lost a brother just a year younger than me when I was 21. Your honesty about such a loss is something I have never been able to grasp in my own moments of journaling, and I commend you for digging so deep..."
— Joy Underhill

"...It made me laugh (Mister Rogers said "crap?"), and it made me cry. But most of all it took me into a beautiful place where I didn't want to leave. God always gives me a good book when I need one, and this time it was yours. Thank you for opening your heart and sharing your life and friendship with Mister Rogers. What an incredible man he was. And what an incredible man YOU are. No wonder Mr. Rogers was proud of you."
— Kelly S.

"I have renewed it from the library twice because I am reluctant to let it go. I got it to read at rest time at the after school program where I work with a child with autism. You brought me to tears so often that I had to finish it at home. Honesty such as yours is rare and an enormous gift. "
— Denie L. Hayden

"You caused this fat monk to sob uncontrollably. As I read the death watch you kept with your brother, I was transported to the deathbed of my mother. The emotions you brought forth were wonderfully painful...Thank you for writing such a beautiful book and for sharing such a wonderful friendship."
— Fr. Jerome Machar, Abbey of Genesee

"I can't remember a book that has inspired me more. I use to love watching Mr. Rogers with my children about twenty years ago. God bless you for this writing. You have made the world brighter for all who are touched by it. I will never be the same and will share this. I already have."
— Diane Hornbeck, Savannah, GA.

"As a home health social worker and Coroner's Assistant, I had come to fear that my decades of extending myself into the heart and souls of others had taken the most costly toll — a deflating of my heart in my middle years. But alas, I have been rescued, the tears are flowing again...God has used your book to soften my heart, to remind me of my calling, to remind me of the beautiful gift that God affords us when we exist in empathy with others. And to think I was just blaming this on menopause! Your family is to be cherished for publicly sharing the path that you shared with Steve, your example will not soon be forgotten."
— Luann Davidson

"I tell you what, I can 't wait to see Mr. Rogers in heaven and give him a hug. I loved him before I read your book. Now I truly cherish all of my memories of watching his show. God bless you. I believe God had me read your book for many reasons. You and Mr. Rogers have blessed me."
— Allison, proud mother of three