I know a lot of you will think I'm nuts. Probably a few of you will even roll your eyes. But this was a thought that kind of made me happy today and I wanted to share it.
I was just perusing MSNBC, reading a lot of their year-end wrap-up type stories, and was on the one about people we lost in 2006.
I've always had tremendous respect for Christopher Reeve & the way he handled himself after his accident that left him paralyzed. Here's a man who truly was living the dream. Very good looking, very suceesful both in his line of work and financially. In an instant so much of that was lost or simply became unimportant.
If ANYONE would have a right to wallow in self-pity and say "Why Me?" it would be a person in this situation. I always have immense respect for people that can face challenges with strength, pride, determination and a positive attitude. It's been said that the bad times are what determine our character, not the good times. I truly believe that.
Even MORE heartwarming was the love between he and his wife Dana. She stood by his side until the very end, seemingly never losing her devotion or love for him. They appeared to be a TRUE classic love story.
This year, 10 months after Christopher did, Dana died of lung cancer. She had never smoked a single cigarette.
I have chosen to believe that this man, who was so strong, and set SUCH an example for all of us on how to face adversity, was rewarded by God and reunited with the love of his life NOW, instead of 30 years down the road.
I don't even feel sorry for the loss of Dana. Because I just have a hunch that she's exactly where she would want to be right now.
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Reeve with her husband in 1995 Mark Lennihan / AP Reeve with her husband in 1995
DANA REEVE, 44 Just 10 months after her husband, Christopher, the paralysis activist and "Superman" star, died suddenly, Reeve herself was diagnosed with lung cancer. She never smoked a day in her life. It was just more bad luck for a family that surely deserved a reprieve. Reeve attacked her illness as courageously as her husband battled his disability, but she died less than a year later. During her life she was an actress on television and Broadway—the couple met after Christopher watched her perform a cabaret act—but she became far more noted as a devoted caregiver for her husband and a dogged supporter of his cause.
My FAVORITE actor sure lucked out and found his soul mate didn't he!??!
I still can't believe that! I always though he and Tracy Pollen were perfect for each other on Family Ties. They just LOOKED right together. I was so happy when I heard they wound up getting married.
Tom Hanks and his wife Rita are another good example
I agree with most of what you said there, Riggs, although I don't think any mother would want to leave her children parentless.
I met her once briefly, and she seemed very nice. I also have a lot of respect for how she handled the accident, and stood by her man so devotedly.
And naturally, I have to get my anti-smoking bit in here: She was a smart girl, so no she never did smoke. However, she was a performer for many years - as the Journey song says "A singer in a smoky room..." Second-hand smoke kills, and this was a terrible waste of a life.
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"Tell me, does it move you, Does it soothe you, Does it fill your heart and soul with the roots of rock & roll? When you can't get through it you can listen to it with a 'na na na na', Well I've been there before" -"Been There Before" by Hanson
I never hopped myself, but I have seen many many shows in smoke-filled rooms. Still ticks me off thinking about it. It got to the point where (before they finally banned it) I was being very picky & choosy about which bands to see. I was like Elaine on Seinfeld, deciding who was "sponge-worthy." I had to decide if the band in quesiton was truly "smoke-worthy." SO glad those days are over!!
Even NJ has banned it. (FINALLY!) Which is good, because that's where I was last night seeing Twisted Sister.
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"Tell me, does it move you, Does it soothe you, Does it fill your heart and soul with the roots of rock & roll? When you can't get through it you can listen to it with a 'na na na na', Well I've been there before" -"Been There Before" by Hanson
I have spent many years hanging out in the smokiest bars just to catch my favourite live bands...so glad the Anti-Smoking laws hit here in Queensland. We now have no smoking at all inside clubs, pubs, restaurants, malls, parks, beaches and just about everywhere else.
But I agree, I also shudder to think how much I have breathed in. Scary thought.
JR- What a hoot, I came THIIIIIIS close to including Tom and Rita's names when mentioning perfect couples. Tom is my absolute Hollywood FAVORITE!! He reminds me of my brother. Harrison Ford USED to be on my list. But... he blew it with the Calista fling. However, I will go ahead and include Denzel Washington and Billy Crystal too.
I have spent many years hanging out in the smokiest bars just to catch my favourite live bands...so glad the Anti-Smoking laws hit here in Queensland. We now have no smoking at all inside clubs, pubs, restaurants, malls, parks, beaches and just about everywhere else.
But I agree, I also shudder to think how much I have breathed in. Scary thought.
Hey Jules im sure ive seen the native Australians, i cant spell Aberigine,smokin those Digeridoos at one time or another on tv? And they seem ok.
I have spent many years hanging out in the smokiest bars just to catch my favourite live bands...so glad the Anti-Smoking laws hit here in Queensland. We now have no smoking at all inside clubs, pubs, restaurants, malls, parks, beaches and just about everywhere else.
But I agree, I also shudder to think how much I have breathed in. Scary thought.
Hey Jules im sure ive seen the native Australians, i cant spell Aberigine,smokin those Digeridoos at one time or another on tv? And they seem ok.
They schmoke them didgeridoos real good hey mate...hahaha!
But seriously hope Christopher and Dana are together now. They were a perfect couple and a great example of strength, faith, love and respect. How all couples should be!
