Unfortunately, this is no light Friday. While I was prepared to post something different for today, it’s hard to ignore the loss of three rather large icons this week. Ironically in both my office, as well as my husband’s yesterday, when news was heard of Farrah Fawcett’s passing, the question was immediately asked, “who will be the third?” (taking into account the first loss of Ed McMahon, of course). That question was soon, and ironically answered, – Michael Jackson. Jackson’s passing completely stunned me.
I must admit that these passings did not emotionally drain me like Tim Russert’s did, or even Natasha Richardson’s. But it’s hard to ignore the enormous talent of Michael Jackson – from ABC and I’ll be There to Off the Wall – which lead him to break-through the color barrier into the mainstream music scene and really develop into a world wide phenomenon.
As far as Farrah Fawcett goes, I knew little about her, other than the fact that she was the pin-up of all my guy friends in high school in her famous red bathing suit – and a rather mediocre actress in her early days on Charlie’s Angels. However, with the mounting press coverage she has had, and learning more about her life story and her valiant fight against cancer, my perception of her has become rounded out. She has made enormous contributions to so many who fight this dreaded disease in her ability to ground it and control it. And witnessing her in interviews, she comes across as an intelligent, reflective and genuine woman – who obviously dealt with the turmoil a life in Hollywood can throw you into. Ironically, she seemed to gain the most control of her life when she was diagnosed with cancer.
As the airwaves last evening were dominated by coverage of the lives of these two icons, I couldn’t help to think of all the hundreds or thousands of others that lost their lives on this same day – who may have well made extraordinary contributions throughout their lives – but whose contributions will always be lost to the majority of the world.
Another reminder to celebrate the large and the small, and capture memories anyway possible, as often as possible.
6-26-2009 09:00:18
good chat note, as always. to add to farrah info:
her work in “the burning bed” brought additional focus on battered women and the danger they and the families are in. also her work in the play “extremities” won wide praise.
as for michael jackson, super talent, sadder than sad.
re: tim russert. still miss him terribly. if you haven’t read his book “big russ and me” by all means do so and make sure the men in your lives do also. he was 100% sincere, self-made (with a beginning boost from pat moynihan) and in love with the world, especially our country. how could anyone resist his contagious enthusiasm, his courage and his unabashed love for his family and his country? they could not. a real people’s hero.
6-26-2009 14:38:56
Well said. And another reminder to focus on what’s important in our own lives.
6-29-2009 21:30:26
So many losses recently. Gorgeous Farrah was such an icon of our high school and college years … those posters of her were in every guy’s dorm room at Michigan State. I am ambivalent as to what I think about Jackson, in view of his rather strange lifestyle, but did enjoy his music in the early years.