One of the great things about role models is that their lessons endure beyond their physical passing from this world. We lost two wonderful, talented people this week, but their ability to inspire us will live on for ever.
Dolly Parton’s life reach is stunning. But I have no aspirations to be a singer or an actor or a business woman. As I listen to accolades from the people who called her friend, I find this is what I hope they remember about me (so I’d better be sure I’m living that way). She walked into a place, and it was immediately brighter. She always had a smile. She saw everyone and greeted them, whether they were a movie star or did make-up. She laughed at herself, but never at others, only with them.
When I’m gone, I hope people remember that I loved them. That I made them feel seen. That I respected their life choices, even if they were different from mine. That when I entered a place, people were happier because of it.
That one is going to require a little more effort on my part.
Tim Curry, first and foremost, never stopped working. In spite of being an award-winning performer across multiple media, he also gave memorable performances in unmemorable productions. It seems as though he simply loved performing.
Though his health took some very hard turns, he found ways to keep going. When he was no longer capable of physically performing, he used his magnificent voice to continue being a tremendous entertainer. One of my favorite performances is his Audible A Christmas Carol. I listen to it over and over, not just at Christmas but all year round. His vocal agility leaves no doubt as to which character is speaking, but the best thing of all is his laugh. I could play his laugh on a loop, and go through my day with a constant smile on my face.
Like Tim Curry, I hope to find meaningful occupation for every day, from this one to the last. I hope that when life deals me blows, I find a new way to keep going, to wring every little bit of life out of my time on this earth. Feeling sorry for yourself, doesn’t get you a life worth remembering.
I need to work a little harder on that one, too.
