In case you haven't heard, Elizabeth Taylor died. She was famous when I came into consciousness. Drop dead beautiful. Pardon the pun. Paul Newman is dead too. So is Jimmy Stewart and Cary Grant.
Ernest Hemingway killed himself when I was in college.
Jim Henson is dead. I grieved over him for years.
Audrey Hepburn is dead. So is Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. I bring up google images of these women on sleepless nights. Same with Grace Kelly.
I stalk dead people. Beautiful dead people.
I wonder if part of old age is realizing that all the familiar--what used to be NOW, the present tense--has moved on to what? Future tense or Past tense?
Who do you miss?
On a sort of similar note, I looked at a Major League Baseball teams' player roster the other day and realized that all of the players are younger than I am. And I'm not old yet. I guess I just never expected famous and well-accomplished people to be much much younger than my unaccomplished self. I need to learn to accept this though because I'm only going to get older.
ReplyDeleteThe women you name all left a legacy of timeless beauty, charm, elegance.
ReplyDeleteWomen in the film/entertainment industry today really pale in comparison. They are here today, will be gone (forgotten or in rehab or jail) tomorrow, and none of their movies, songs, or other "art" will survive a trip down memory lane.
Whom do I miss? Bing Crosby!
I miss Gilda Radner. She has been my comedic hero since second grade.
ReplyDeleteMr. Rogers.
ReplyDeleteJohn Denver.
ReplyDeleteThe other day I was teaching about bond markets and used the example of a 30 year bond issued in March 2011 that would mature in March 2041. I said, "I'll be a decrepit old lady when that bond matures, but you'll be in the prime of life." A voice shot out from the back of the room, "I'll be FIFTY-TWO! You call 52 the prime of life?" My response, "You don't want to peak too early or you'll be heading downhill for an awfully long time. Enjoy each decade for what it offers. The twenties are great but so are the fifties." I'm glad I feel young even if I am ancient in their eyes.
ReplyDeleteI'll stalk you and Tom when your dead, you beautiful people. Beautiful people, especially you Louise. Tom's beautiful too.
ReplyDelete