Dear Jimmy,
You’re dead now, but
why should that stop me from writing to you on this lovely Valentine’s Day
2013? Perhaps somehow you’ll be able to find out that this letter of mine
exists, and you’ll know how I feel about you.
Indeed you are my
celebrity crush. But I’m not going to tell you that I’m desperately in love
with you, because, like I said before, you’re dead, I’m not, you’ve got Gloria,
I’ve got mortal male eligible prospects, and if I were to be in love with you,
I’d be a silly ninny living in a fantasy land and missing out on opportunities
here in my own generation.
So, I’m not going to
tell you I’m in love with you, though I do think you’re very handsome and
charming. But I am going to tell you, right here and right now, that I admire
you, and I sincerely thank you for the quality example of living you set here
on Earth. Why do I think you’re awesome? Let me count the ways:
1) You honored your
parents, and stayed constantly true to the values they taught you when you were
young
2) You fostered a
lifelong love for learning and discovering new talents to develop, which led
you to become not just a remarkable actor, but also a great poet and
accordionist
3) You loved your
country, the wonderful United States of America, and served it as a faithful
soldier for several years
4) You loved your wife
and were wedded to her for 45 years, till the day she passed away in 1994
5) You loved your
children and undoubtedly taught them the same goodness your own parents taught
you
6) You sought and were
grateful for the simple joys in life, such as the delight that a family dog can
provide
7) You were always a
kind, gentle, fun, and good friend to all who knew you
8) You decided to not
let your “high-profile” job make you big-headed; rather, you used your job as a
tool to bless the lives of others. I recently watched a 1980s documentary rerun
on TV, and it was all about you, and most prominently I remember Gloria telling
the interviewer the story of the fan who wrote you a certain letter. In the
letter this person explained that they were about to commit suicide, but then
they felt some urge to turn on It’s a Wonderful Life for a leisure
watch. They got to the end of the flick’s tail (and “tale”! haha, yay for
homophones!), to the part where George Bailey reads the book inscription, “Dear
George, Remember no man is a failure who has friends. Thanks for
the wings! Love Clarence.” And then their depressed life flipped upside-down,
and they felt impressed to try telling you about it. I’m glad you and Gloria
chose to open that envelope and read its insertion, as I’m sure you often
didn’t have time nor strong desire to read all your fan mail. What a marvelous
service you performed for that person! Did you have any idea you’d do such a
great good by just doing your job? I’m sure the positive fruits of your labors
numbered many more than this one instance
Last—and maybe not
least—I think you’re awesome because you always thought the Mormon Tabernacle
Choir was awesome. Did you know that I actually made it into the Mormon
Tabernacle Choir this year? Did they call it “MoTab” when you were still around
on the planet? I’m happy to know you’re such a big fan of the Choir. I’m a fan,
too!
Again, thank you,
Jimmy, for your quality example of living. You are my favorite movie star not
only because you’re incredibly talented (and don’t you dare deny it; I don’t
want your modesty J), but also because of your love of life, friends, family, country,
and God. I hope I can continue forth being the best person I can be, as you
always strived to be.
Hope you’re having a
jolly Valentine’s Day in paradise! Be sure to give everyone my love!
Love Always, Alison
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