Here I am trying to make my mum smile after she heard about George Michael's passing on Christmas Day. Actually, it was night here in England when the news broke, just as we were going to bed. She had been feeling pretty uneasy all day, too many thoughts playing on her mind. That's my mum, she thinks too much! But who knows? Maybe she sensed the bad news that was coming later?
She had checked Twitter just before going upstairs to bed. She had been concerned about another legend from her youth, Carrie Fisher, who had suffered a heart attack and had been in intensive care for a few days.
But instead the first tweet Mum saw was a tweet stating that George Michael had passed away in his sleep earlier that day. Deeply shocked and saddened, understandably, Mum couldn't sleep. I didn't want her to drink more than she had already done that day, which was only a couple of glasses of wine (Mum really doesn't drink much booze because she once had a problem with it.) In the pic above I am being extra cute and lovable because I could clearly see she wasn't calm enough to sleep.
George Michael
Mum was 16 when she first became a fan of George and Wham, so he had been a part of her life for many years - inspiring her to sing and to write songs. She went to many of his gigs. It was her life back then - music, music, music! Spandau Ballet, Duran Duran, Paul Young, who with George Michael, were her fave artists back then. Until she discovered rock and metal that is... But that's another story. But Mum is a true music fan and is no music snob so she is proud of her eclectic taste and the wonderful music that had helped her escape during the difficult times growing up.George was a sensitive, caring soul and so talented as a singer-songwriter. He was also extremely generous and donated so much of his fortune to charity. And he was an animal lover too. His last public act was to offer his support to the Blue Cross campaign regarding puppy farms.
We listened to Mum's favourite George Michael CD yesterday - Listen Without Prejudice. The following two songs were hauntingly beautiful.George Michael's last public act was to support Blue Cross campaign against puppy farms https://t.co/JwGDngeFMK #GeorgeMichael pic.twitter.com/OR8ZvBYwtj— GreenWorldTV (@GWTVAnimalNews) December 26, 2016
#GM had a voice that would transport u, he was the finest singer/songwriter of his generation & has left the best of himself 4 us. RIP GM xx pic.twitter.com/Gjcp55Chei— Andrew Ridgeley (@ajridgeley) December 26, 2016
Carrie Fisher
So yesterday Mum was shocked to hear about the passing of another of her childhood icons - the lovely Carrie Fisher, Princess Leia in Star Wars. Carrie wasn't just Leia, but also a talented writer. And a very funny lady with a dog that apparently doesn't like cats. Never mind, I can forgive him for that. Mum and I feel devastated for him, little Gary who has lost his Mum 💜Saddest tweets to tweet. Mommy is gone. I love you @carrieffisher— Carrie Fisher's Dog (@Gary_TheDog) December 27, 2016
I'll still be waiting for you....... pic.twitter.com/ef461OcqKJ— Carrie Fisher's Dog (@Gary_TheDog) December 27, 2016
Mum tells me that a long time ago (not in a galaxy far away), when she was 11 or 12, she was a big Star Wars fan. She used to dress up as Princess Leia and act out scenes from the film. Unfortunately, we have no photographic evidence to share.Coolest dog ever posing with the coolest human ever #RIPCarrie #CarrieFisher pic.twitter.com/dl1kx5iTAK— Carrie Fisher's Dog (@Gary_TheDog) December 28, 2016
Mum says she was bullied at school for liking this brilliant film. Not by boys, but girls. Ha! Let me scratch their eyes out now!
How dare you laugh at my mum for having such a vivid imagination and daring to be different. Mum has never been a sheep... Where are you sheep now, I wonder?
But Mum does have fond memories of her childhood whenever she thinks of Star Wars and it will always remain one of her favourite films of all time.
Carrie was also an animal lover and advocate. A few months before she died she protested with other campaigners in London to end the dog meat trade and handed in a petition signed by 11 million, urging the Chinese authorities to end the Yulin massacre.
Such a sad loss of two beautiful souls.
Rest in Peace
💖
In just two days we've lost two wonderful people who did so much to highlight & fight animal abuse - #RIP George Michael & Carrie Fisher pic.twitter.com/ru9sXGLUvd— PROTECT ALL WILDLIFE (@Protect_Wldlife) December 27, 2016
 |
| CLICK HERE TO TAKE YOU TO THIS BLOG HOP |
15 comments:
So many losses in 2016. We, too, are deeply saddened by the passings of Carrie Fisher and George Michael. Hugs to you and Mum.
I wasn't a Star Wars fan but I did like George Michael's music. It's always sad when the people who influenced us are suddenly gone. Luckily, we have lots of music and music to remember George and Carrie by.
It is really sad.
It's so tragic to lose both these talents way too young. Although my human saw the Star Wars movies, she mainly remembers Carrie Fisher as a very funny and awesome human being.
I just read that author Richard Adams passed now, too. He is probably best known for his book "Watership Down". It was about rabbits, including Fiver and Hazel. The group America did a song for the movie made from it.
I was shocked to hear of Carrie Fisher's passing. She was only a couple of years older than me. I remember seeing the first movie not long after graduating from high school. I dressed as her with the hair buns for Halloween - a long time ago in a galaxy far away. I even did her slave Leia costume, albeit as a blonde version. That was back when I was young and thin. I'd make a better Jabba the Hutt now. LOL!
So many famous people passed this year. For years I told my daughters that the world would end if the Cubs ever won the World Series. Add in the presidential election this year, and I think I may have been right.
I love your photo,Athena! That look is perfect for helping to heal the human heart. I'm sorry that your mum has lost so many of her favorite artists lately. It has been a tough year for celebrities. *hugs*
This was a fabulous post. I was a huge fan of George Michael's...my heart goes out to your Mum because I have a feeling she and I might be around the same age. Such tragic losses in just a few days. Awful (((hugs))) catchatwithcarenandcody
Deaths of people we've come to respect and adore through the media seem to always hit us hard. So sad to hear of all the recent losses
It has been a sad week. How nice that your Mum got to see him perform live. XO
I'm 50 :)
Yes, it's scary. Too much darkness and heartache in the world lately. It sometimes does feel like it's the end :(
Yes, I saw him twice with Wham and twice as a solo artist.
Bittersweet post. What a tough year it's been from the very beginning to the very end. Good job Athena for helping mum feel better.
It certainly seems like we keep losing our best and brightest every day! Please take care of your mum, Athena...the both of you need to stay healthy and happy! Happy New Year!
Great tributes to some amazing people. You are absolutely right ... a purring cat on my lap fixes just about everything :)
Post a Comment