It was a truly amazing moment. I wish I could convey the way that entire room - several thousand people - became so absolutely silent, or the look in his eyes, or the tone in his voice. It was a moment of absolute thanks and gratitude; and his words made me realize exactly what the phrase "a life well lived" means.
He certainly had a full life. That's a good thought to have.
I remember thinking the same thing when he entered the hospital. I used to really like James Franciscus, who died of the same thing. So I read up on it. Terrible disease. So when they spoke of Leonard having chest pains, I pretty much figured the end was near. Even after all the intervening years, there really isn't a lot they can do for you.
No, there isn't much they can do for you at that point. A friend's mother (a lifelong smoker) passed away from COPD several years ago, and prior to that she had been tethered to an oxygen tank for a long time. They had to move to a downstairs apartment because she was no longer able to go up the stairs without a lot of help. It's a horrible thing.
Thank you for sharing these moments, Cat! Leonard sounded like a good man. And having nothing left on his bucket list shows you had a rich, full life. :)
Sad about his disease. Unfortunately quite a few of his generation have been hit with pulmonary diseases because of the acceptance of smoking way back when. I'm glad that people are learning that smoking isn't the way to go!
P.S. I had a bad feeling, too, when I read about his latest hospital visit. :(
It was a truly amazing moment. I wish I could convey the way that entire room - several thousand people - became so absolutely silent, or the look in his eyes, or the tone in his voice. It was a moment of absolute thanks and gratitude; and his words made me realize exactly what the phrase "a life well lived" means.
A friend's mother (a lifelong smoker) passed away from COPD several years ago, and prior to that she had been tethered to an oxygen tank for a long time. They had to move to a downstairs apartment because she was no longer able to go up the stairs without a lot of help. It's a horrible thing.
I smoked from the age of 16 to 22 because everyone I knew back when I was living in Arizona were smokers. Then I moved to California, none of my new friends were smokers, so I quit. I figured at the time I was saving a lot of money. I didn’t even think about the health consequences back then; the info on how bad smoking is for you was so new at that time.
My dad started smoking young (around 13) but quit in his 40s. I think the reports about secondhand smoke was what finally did it. He didn't like the idea of endangering his wife and daughters with it.
My sister smoked for about 20 years and quit, too. Mom and I never took up the habit. Good, I don't need another addiction! ;)
I'm sure he knew, just as I'm sure my father knew, the last time I saw him. He gave my brother and myself a look that was emotional and full of love and like he was memorizing us. And like he was saying goodbye.
He was not a demonstrative man, and that look was so exceptional to his norm my brother and I discussed it on the way back to the airport (a two hour drive.)
My father died less than two days later.
I think most people who are close to dying know if their minds are still intact.
Wow, the story of your father is both sad and amazing. I'm guessing the way he said goodbye was some comfort to both of you after he passed. (((((((((((hugs))))))))))))
Wow, those are wonderful con memories. Thank you so much for sharing them with us.
The times he was in Germany during my lifetime, I couldn't afford to go and now I'll never get to see him. But all his art will remain for us to enjoy, something I am very grateful for. It is good to hear his success from Star Trek (among other things) enabled him to do all the things on his someday list. That is heartening.
Absolutely, his work lives on, and he created an iconic character who may well last for many many years to come.
That moment at the convention was truly amazing. wish I could convey the way that entire room - several thousand people - became so absolutely silent, or the look in his eyes, or the tone in his voice. It was a moment of absolute thanks and gratitude; and his words made me realize exactly what the phrase "a life well lived" means.
I wish you had been able to see him in person. He had a great, dry sense of humor. I particularly liked the way he'd wear his Number One Vulcan t-shirt at some of the conventions he appeared at as part of various jokes he had with William Shatner.
Comments 15
Reply
Reply
I remember thinking the same thing when he entered the hospital. I used to really like James Franciscus, who died of the same thing. So I read up on it. Terrible disease. So when they spoke of Leonard having chest pains, I pretty much figured the end was near. Even after all the intervening years, there really isn't a lot they can do for you.
Reply
Reply
Sad about his disease. Unfortunately quite a few of his generation have been hit with pulmonary diseases because of the acceptance of smoking way back when. I'm glad that people are learning that smoking isn't the way to go!
P.S. I had a bad feeling, too, when I read about his latest hospital visit. :(
Reply
A friend's mother (a lifelong smoker) passed away from COPD several years ago, and prior to that she had been tethered to an oxygen tank for a long time. They had to move to a downstairs apartment because she was no longer able to go up the stairs without a lot of help. It's a horrible thing.
I smoked from the age of 16 to 22 because everyone I knew back when I was living in Arizona were smokers. Then I moved to California, none of my new friends were smokers, so I quit. I figured at the time I was saving a lot of money. I didn’t even think about the health consequences back then; the info on how bad smoking is for you was so new at that time.
Reply
My sister smoked for about 20 years and quit, too. Mom and I never took up the habit. Good, I don't need another addiction! ;)
Reply
I'm glad to hear he achieved all the things he wanted to. He touched literally millions of lives and inspired so many people in so many ways.
I've re-read his last tweet several times, and every time it brings a lump to my throat. It's as if he knew.
Reply
I'm sure he knew, just as I'm sure my father knew, the last time I saw him. He gave my brother and myself a look that was emotional and full of love and like he was memorizing us. And like he was saying goodbye.
He was not a demonstrative man, and that look was so exceptional to his norm my brother and I discussed it on the way back to the airport (a two hour drive.)
My father died less than two days later.
I think most people who are close to dying know if their minds are still intact.
{{{{{{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
Reply
Reply
The times he was in Germany during my lifetime, I couldn't afford to go and now I'll never get to see him. But all his art will remain for us to enjoy, something I am very grateful for. It is good to hear his success from Star Trek (among other things) enabled him to do all the things on his someday list. That is heartening.
Reply
That moment at the convention was truly amazing. wish I could convey the way that entire room - several thousand people - became so absolutely silent, or the look in his eyes, or the tone in his voice. It was a moment of absolute thanks and gratitude; and his words made me realize exactly what the phrase "a life well lived" means.
I wish you had been able to see him in person. He had a great, dry sense of humor. I particularly liked the way he'd wear his Number One Vulcan t-shirt at some of the conventions he appeared at as part of various jokes he had with William Shatner.
Reply
Leave a comment