Monday, March 28, 2011

R.I.P. Elizabeth Taylor

A picture I took this summer of Elizabeth Taylor in a 1953 Whitman's Chocolate ad on display at the Chocolate Museum, Put-in-Bay, Ohio

From the time that I was a little girl I knew that Nanny (my grandmother) loved Elizabeth Taylor, because she always talked about her.

On the morning of Taylor’s death I called my Nanny right away so I could notify her. She was devastated, and I felt awful to being the bearer of bad news, but I just knew I had to let her know.

She said she was glad that I did.

I watched Elizabeth Taylor over the years. She had an open heart and accepting way towards people that many others might not have. My children watched her in National Velvet and loved her. I watched her earn awards, be an activist and shine her bright smile on everyone.

Nanny reminisced with me the things she remembered about Liz; her movies, her kind heart, her beautiful smile…but she never mentioned Elizabeth Taylor’s husbands.  

There was no gossiping - only honoring; respecting.

Sure, we could choose to pick her apart, condemn her for their mistakes and/or lifestyle, but why? People who are dying and who’ve died have something to say  and have many treasures they leave behind, such as lessons, experiences, memories, and organizations - a world of gifts that we should appreciate. Many who've passed have tried to leave the world a better place.

I’m the type of person who reads the obituaries. Call me past-my-time since I hear that only older people do this, I don’t know why that is, but I do it because I want to credit those who have passed on.  I want to admire those who’ve done it before me; who’ve done it better, who’ve lived harder, who’ve accomplished more; and I want to give them a moment of my time, even though I did not know them. 

Death is actually where we will all arrive at someday.  As morbid as it seems it’s true and it’s actually my inspiration.

One of my favorite books is ‘The Last Lecture’ by Randy Pausch and I’m presently reading ‘The Time of My Life’ by Patrick Swayze and Lisa Niemi (his wife).  Though both men have died since writing these books  they have something to say, some legacy to leave behind, and not just because they wrote a book; but because they lived. 

One of my favorite quotes and one that I use on my blog is:
Aspire to Inspire, Before you Expire - Author Unknown.

We aren’t given forever. We are only given 1 lifetime, and it goes by quickly. 

We have to make the most of it while we are still here. Things could change in a moment...

There are two quotes from Liz Taylor that I would like to share.

This one, during acceptance of the Humanitarian Award she said, “I call upon you to draw from the depths of your being – to prove that we are a human race, to prove that our love outweighs our need to hate, that our compassion is more compelling than our need to blame.”

This next one, upon her turning 50 years old:
‘I don’t entirely approve of some of the things I have done, or am, or have been. But I’m me. God knows, I’m me.’ 

Isn’t that when we’ve truly arrived? When we have become ourselves and more importantly, when we’ve become comfortable with ourselves?

To have gone to the grave knowing, forgiving and accepting herself.
I believe that this is when Elizabeth Taylor was truly at peace.

Please visit this site to see 10 Reasons Why Elizabeth Taylor Rocked:

CNN.News announces Elizabeth Taylor's death including past video interviews with her:
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/SHOWBIZ/03/23/obit.elizabeth.taylor/
 
When people say, 'She's got everything', I've got one answer - I haven't had tomorrow. - Elizabeth Taylor



 

Truly,
Amber