Goodbye Dear Heath

[mvansand76]

The press and media are full of the story here in Australia, Melissa. All the way through the full media spectrum from tabloid to quality media. Even posh ABCTV put together a beautifully presented piece on their quality 7.30 Report last night. It's on front pages this morning and there's a glowing tribute to Heath in the Editorial column of the Daily Telegraph today. All of Australia is in mourning for our darling Heath. 

{{{{{KERRY}}}}}

[Front-Ranger]

A Song for Heath

As I walked out on the streets of Laredo,
As I walked out in Laredo one day,
I spied a young cowboy all wrapped in white linen
Wrapped in white linen as cold as the clay.

"Oh muffle your drums, then play your fifes merrily
Play the Dead March as you go along
And fire your guns right over my coffin,
There goes an unfortunate boy to his home."

"It was once in the saddle I used to go dashing
Once in the saddle I used to go gay,
First down to the dram-house and then to the card house
Got shot in the breast, I am dying today."

"Get six jolly cowboys to carry my coffin,
Get six pretty maidens to carry my pall,
Put bunches of roses all over my coffin,
Put roses to deaden the clods as they fall."

"Then swing your rope slowly, and rattle your spurs lowly,
And give a wild whoop as you carry me along,
And in the grave throw me and roll the sod o'er me
For I'm a young cowboy and I know I've done wrong."

"Go bring me a cup, a cup of cold water
To cool my parched lips," the cowboy said;
Before I turned, the spirit had left him
And gone to its Giver --- the cowboy was dead.

We beat the drum slowly and played the fife lowly,
And bitterly wept as we bore him along,
For we all loved our comrade, so brave, young and handsome,
We all loved our comrade although he'd done wrong.

[optom3]

I have come to this thread as I find myself grieving all over again. I think it is a combination of the awards season and my own life. It is so very, very hard to see Heath's picture all over the screen again, but not the man himself.

I know he was not mad keen on award ceremonies or interviews, but what wouldn't I give to see his discomfort and constantly moving hands again, as he endured yet another round of questions.

I still cannot grasp that he has gone and it has been nearly a year. I wonder sometimes, if it is my own personal circumstances which are causing a new wave of grief. If I was in a better place, would I be less upset, who knows ?

I do however know, I did not expect to be grieving for someone I never met, a full year later.

[David In Indy]

Well, it's been exactly one year ago - almost to the exact hour - that we found out our beloved Heath passed away. I still cannot figure out how somebody I've never met in person could affect me so much. Rarely have I grieved so much for a total stranger. It's very strange. But here I am crying once again like his death had just happened.

I find myself very sad and depressed today and I doubt anything can shake me from this depression. Maybe tomorrow I will be in a better mood. The sun is shining, the weather outside has finally warmed up a little, my animals surround me as their cute furry faces attempt to cheer me up (they know something is wrong) and yet I still feel sad. I think only time will make me feel better. Today is a sad day.     

[Katie77]

To be remembered with the dignity and respect for the man and the actor that he was, and will always be, is the best way to handle our sadness.

To be mindful of the loss that his family is feeling and to give them the privacy to deal with that.

To celebrate his life and appreciate the legacy that he has left for us all to enjoy and appreciate.

That is how I think Heath would want to be remembered today.

He will never be forgotten and will always be missed.

[optom3]

Yet again I find myself drawn to this thread.
I am by coincidence listening to George Michaels, a different corner. and crying yet again. I really am being very silly now. I do not know what has kicked it all off again. I suppose it is my own brush with death, then Farrah , Billy Mays and Michael Jackson.  Who knows, I just feel bereft all over again.