Dear LilyOnTheLam.Com Readers:
The other day I read that Chicago Sun-Times Movie Critic and Writer Extraordinaire Roger Ebert had written a blog post ("A Leave of Presence") saying that he had a recurrence of his cancer. I was very sad to hear this, but after all the adversary Roger Ebert had faced in his life I had no doubt that he could rise to the occasion and continue.
So it was with great sorrow that I heard that Roger Ebert passed away today, at age 70.
While we can take solace that in Roger Ebert's 70 years on this Earth, 46 years with the Chicago Sun-Times; I show Veruca Salt-like impertinence that I wanted more. Despite losing part of his lower jaw in 2006 and no longer being able to eat or speak, Roger Ebert's voice was heard louder than ever through Twitter (@ebertchicago), his blogs and his movie reviews. Instead of retreating from the spotlight and wallowing in self-pity over the drastic changes with his body and face, Roger Ebert stood strong and positive with a "I'm still here!" admirable attitude. When I read Roger Ebert's writings I was constantly reminded that no change, no drama and no tragedy should ever stop you from being the most and the best you could be. His voice was the megaphone for personal motivation and esteem. And hey, he wrote the screenplay for Russ Meyers' "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls" too.
On Facebook, Tampa Tribune Food Writer and Columnist of "The Stew" Jeff Houck (Twitter @JeffHouck) said goodbye to Roger Ebert with a recommendation of Roger Ebert's cook book. Who knew Roger Ebert wrote a cookbook? If this was a game show and the question was "Which prominent movie critic wrote a cookbook on ways to effectively use your rice cooker?" I would be the slack-jawed contestant who would not be winning any Showcase Showdown or set of steak knives. Yes indeed, Roger Ebert has published a book in 2010 titled "The Pot and How to Use It: The Mystery and Romance of the Slow Cooker."
I had to give a chuckle and a smile heavenward. Even after death, Roger Ebert was still surprising the world (or at least me) with his versatility - from Russ Meyer movies to rice cookers and everything inbetween, Roger Ebert's voice extended far and wide with sage regard and a delightful insouciance.
(Side Note: One Roger Ebert factoid I did know but bears repeating - Roger Ebert went on a date with Oprah Winfrey before she was "THE Oprah Winfrey." Evidently, Roger Ebert has always had a good eye for strong, vivacious women as seen with his subsequent marriage to Chaz Hammelsmith as well as rice cookers.)
I hope Roger Ebert is in heaven filling fellow movie critic Gene Siskel in on the last Star Wars trilogy and the blood-splattered scenes of Django Unchained. I hope his last moments on Earth were painless and filled with joy and love to last him to his next great journey.
While Roger Ebert is no longer with us, I hope that others will continue to live Roger Ebert's message - that no matter what life throws you, continue striving for excellence and never let anything or anyone silence you. Keep positive, keep growing and keep moving forward.
Rest in Peace Roger Ebert, thank you not only for the movie reviews but the life reviews as well. You will be missed.
The other day I read that Chicago Sun-Times Movie Critic and Writer Extraordinaire Roger Ebert had written a blog post ("A Leave of Presence") saying that he had a recurrence of his cancer. I was very sad to hear this, but after all the adversary Roger Ebert had faced in his life I had no doubt that he could rise to the occasion and continue.
So it was with great sorrow that I heard that Roger Ebert passed away today, at age 70.
While we can take solace that in Roger Ebert's 70 years on this Earth, 46 years with the Chicago Sun-Times; I show Veruca Salt-like impertinence that I wanted more. Despite losing part of his lower jaw in 2006 and no longer being able to eat or speak, Roger Ebert's voice was heard louder than ever through Twitter (@ebertchicago), his blogs and his movie reviews. Instead of retreating from the spotlight and wallowing in self-pity over the drastic changes with his body and face, Roger Ebert stood strong and positive with a "I'm still here!" admirable attitude. When I read Roger Ebert's writings I was constantly reminded that no change, no drama and no tragedy should ever stop you from being the most and the best you could be. His voice was the megaphone for personal motivation and esteem. And hey, he wrote the screenplay for Russ Meyers' "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls" too.
On Facebook, Tampa Tribune Food Writer and Columnist of "The Stew" Jeff Houck (Twitter @JeffHouck) said goodbye to Roger Ebert with a recommendation of Roger Ebert's cook book. Who knew Roger Ebert wrote a cookbook? If this was a game show and the question was "Which prominent movie critic wrote a cookbook on ways to effectively use your rice cooker?" I would be the slack-jawed contestant who would not be winning any Showcase Showdown or set of steak knives. Yes indeed, Roger Ebert has published a book in 2010 titled "The Pot and How to Use It: The Mystery and Romance of the Slow Cooker."
I had to give a chuckle and a smile heavenward. Even after death, Roger Ebert was still surprising the world (or at least me) with his versatility - from Russ Meyer movies to rice cookers and everything inbetween, Roger Ebert's voice extended far and wide with sage regard and a delightful insouciance.
(Side Note: One Roger Ebert factoid I did know but bears repeating - Roger Ebert went on a date with Oprah Winfrey before she was "THE Oprah Winfrey." Evidently, Roger Ebert has always had a good eye for strong, vivacious women as seen with his subsequent marriage to Chaz Hammelsmith as well as rice cookers.)
I hope Roger Ebert is in heaven filling fellow movie critic Gene Siskel in on the last Star Wars trilogy and the blood-splattered scenes of Django Unchained. I hope his last moments on Earth were painless and filled with joy and love to last him to his next great journey.
While Roger Ebert is no longer with us, I hope that others will continue to live Roger Ebert's message - that no matter what life throws you, continue striving for excellence and never let anything or anyone silence you. Keep positive, keep growing and keep moving forward.
Rest in Peace Roger Ebert, thank you not only for the movie reviews but the life reviews as well. You will be missed.
Nice tribute. I'm sure Roger would be pleased that people learned more from him than which movies he liked. Thanks, Lily.
ReplyDeleteThank you, thank you FDR! Your words are much appreciated!
ReplyDelete