Aren't there some people who are just so special, so iconic, that you know exactly where you were and what you were doing when their passing was announced?
President JFK, for example. I was only a young girl when he was assassinated in 1963. I didn't know him, never met him and never would have. He wasn't even a politician from my country and yet I can remember so well the TV news programme being interrupted to bring us the news that "President Kennedy has been shot", not realising the can of worms that was about to be opened up. I'll never forget a second of it.
Princess Diana - a princess of our own who died in a foreign country. I was quite a bit older then and,being an early riser, I remember the newscaster on that Sunday morning saying her car had been in an accident in Paris and it was thought she had broken her arm. Another can of worms was about to be opened, one that carries on even now.
Just last night it was announced that Sir Norman Wisdom had died I never met him either but he was, in fact, a major contributor to My Perfect Day. It was in the 1980's and I had taken a week's holiday from work, thinking I would do some spring cleaning. This particular day - it was a Tuesday - it was pouring with rain when I got up and looked set for the day so I decided to bake bread instead. By 9 o'clock we were full steam ahead bashing away at an enormous lump of dough. TV was on for the News, followed by A FILM - you guessed, a Norman Wisdom film. Picture the scene: Keith at work, pouring rain, dog sleeping under the stairs, the smell of bread and an old Norman Wisdom film. It truly was the most perfect day I ever had.
And now NormanWisdom is gone. Please God, let there be no can of worms.
Friday 12 April 2024
5 days ago
8 comments:
I dont think there will be worms this time he was such a funny man ,can you get funny worms ? lol ...love Janxx
It is true, I remember all those days as well. I didn't know of this gentleman but now will remember him too as I'll think of him whenever I have a perfect day. Rest in peace Sir Wisdom
Yes Angie I remember those times so well ~ JFK ~ Princess Diana ~ and lots more ~ and now Sir Norman such a funny man I loved his films ~ and I know he will be sadly missed ~ Ally x
I remember all those events so well too. The evening when I heard JFK had been shop I was waiting on Stuart come home from working away in Aberdeen we had only been married a year. When Pricess Diana died I had just lost my dear Dad and was still very raw. Last night I was on holiday up in the highlands whe I heard of Sir Normans death and that brought back my dear late Mum to me he was her favourite so many memories. Take care Love Joan
The day JFK was shot I was at a party celebrating my best friends 11th birthday and it seemed like the world had stopped. When Diana was killed I was in Guernsey which is loyal to the Queen but not the British government so again the world seemed to have stopped. As for Norman Wisdom I was sitting here trying to write my personal objectives for work for next year, somehow I think Mr Grimsdale would of approved with that!
It is funny how the passing of special people mark rites of passage in our lives. I can remember everything I was doing, smelling, feeling the minute I heard of Elvis demise and John Lennon's. Not having grown up here, I don't have the same memories of Norman Wisdom as you would have, but he will be missed for sure. I remember being in their bedroom playing video games with my sons when my ex hollered out to me that Princess Diana had been in an accident. I glued myself to the telly until I went to bed and woke up the next morning to the news of her death. Very sad it was, and then Mother Teresa the very next day . . .
Angie - Another really great post, my friend.
I was born 11 years after JFK's murder. However, I remember seeing the Space Shuttle Challenger explode live on John Craven's Newsround. That was the first time I realised how shocking and upsetting world events could be to me personally.
I also remember with precise clarity the moment I learned of what was happening on the morning of 11 September 2001. Right up until the moment I fainted on hearing that two people I knew were, for all the information available at that moment, had been at work in the World Trade Center when the planes struck.
I was very, very saddened by Sir Norman Wisdom's death - he was someone I always enjoyed seeing on screen and who could always raise a smile with his clever antics. I am glad that he had a peaceful end and didn't suffer through years of pain and loss of dignity.
I honestly believe that what you saw with him was exactly what you got:- a gentle, intelligent man with an incredible gift for comedy and timing. Not to mention being a genuinely nice man.
Did you know that Charlie Chaplin called Norman Wisdom his "favourite clown".
I suspect the only can of "worms" lurking in his presence would be one of those 'fake' tins where a paper-covered spring bursts out when you take the lid off. I think a smile when someone remembers you is such a great legacy to leave behind you. I can't thnk of anyone who would have a bad word to say about him.
love,
Ruth xxx (and J)
I confess to not being familiar with Sir Norman. But now you've got me wanting to find out...
Ben
http://kissthecook-ben.blogspot.com/
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