Comments on: SOUL

By: Frances

Frances — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 18:11:11 +0000

I have a 23 year old daughter, my only child. I absolutely cannot imagine how I would live if she died. I choke just thinking about it. The physicality of that grief is frightening and powerful. It’s like a monster devouring you just because you loved. After the tsunami in the Indian Ocean, I heard about one young Buddhist monk who was inquiring about the fate of his father. He was given the news that his father was killed in the flood. The young monk was said to be expressionless as he turned to walk away. The reporter marvelled at this detachment and attributed it to the Buddhist philosophy. I thought about this alot. Detachment would definately save us from suffering grief and loss. But I can’t reconcile where love fits in if love is attachment.

I can only imagine that after the physical loss there must be some strength left to cope with the rest of the grief that washes up about the future. Can we really gain strength from our friends and well-wishers? I hope so. I’ve tried to give it before, never knowing whether it has done any good.

By: Timothy Dougherty

Timothy Dougherty — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 21:30:25 +0000

Your so right Jane,tragedy in our life bring a new self vision.
My own experience of loss was strange, as a graduate school student
working within the University’s Learning Center,as a graduate assistant
my mother had a heart attack and passed on within a year well I was writing my masters theses on information can knowledge in higher education, my father died, my father passed away at a VA hospital right across form the University library where I was working. With in a two year I lost my mother, father and divorced and was in a auto accident with everything I owned in the car. I walk away with a briefcase in the rain .
I was 28 years old and homeless with 100 dollars in my pocket.

By: liz elayne

liz elayne — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 06:22:52 +0000

thank you so much for sharing these words and the link to elizabeth lesser’s book. i look forward to reading it… and i sit here in wonder thinking about how ms. redgrave played joan didion. yes. truly extraordinary.

in this moment, i think about how the wide, deep path of grief cracks us open in ways we cannot begin to imagine when we are in pain. and yet through these cracks light appears and unexpected beauty begin to grow.

sending peace and light to you and your friends…

By: Deb

Deb — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 16:40:41 +0000

Thanks for the book suggestion. I placed a hold on it at my library. Such sadness. Your performance and that of Vanessa Redgrave in Julia were more than spectacular. What an incredible film for a young *then lesbian on so many levels.

By: Brenda Drew

Brenda Drew — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 14:19:48 +0000

I feel so bad for Natasha’s family and pray that they have the strength to heal from this horrific tragedy. I too lost a daughter at 25 to brain injury. She was brought back to us after being declared clinically dead. She has been in a hospital for 4 and a half years, minimally conscious. The pain of losing a child is searing! But we are blessed as our daughter left us her daughter which happens to be named Natasha! Please pass on to Vanessa, Liam and the rest of the family that they have many people sending them their love, support and prayers. Thank you!

By: Leah Hutchison

Leah Hutchison — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 02:46:51 +0000

Can’t wait to hear the interview – will be good to hear you speak on this topic.

By: Carolyn

Carolyn — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 01:05:04 +0000

Natasha’s death keeps a lump in my throat every time I hear/think about it. I’ve always admired Vanessa.

On a lighter note, TCM is playing Cat Ballou as I’m writing this…. it … is … HILARIOUS!

You are such a wonderful actor! and Lee Marvin? OMG

Thank you for writing your blog… I feel glamorous just reading it!

Carolyn

By: Jay

Jay — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 21:02:28 +0000

I hope you can find that sense of peace that surpasses all understanding. I always wondered how hard it must be to perform when emotionally challenged by the death of a friend or some other heavy concern. I guess it does take its toll. I have had a reminder myself recently that life delivers it’s share of twists and turns. I try to remember in my life I really have no control over things, despite my delusional beliefs that in some ways I do. I try to count my blessings as often as possible, and experience each day. I also remind myself that there are things that just make no sense to me, and I have to accept that. Other peoples tragedy acts as a reminder to me that I need to be ready for the next one to visit my life, and to trust that God will not abandon me in my time of need. He never has.
I am so excited and look forward to seeing your show this coming Thursday. I am a big fan of your work, and this wil be such a thrill. Hang in there, you will work through it.

By: Avi Peterson

Avi Peterson — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 18:43:39 +0000

Dear Jane-

I’ve been reading these updates with tremendous delight, thank you so much for sharing this exciting chapter of your life with all of us who love and appreciate you and your work! What an amazing, inspiring theatrical journey this has been and continues to be. I can’t wait to experience it next Sunday (the perfect birthday present to myself!) Re. Natasha, I’ve been taking her death pretty hard as well…its a similar feeling for me as when Diana died, that sense of shock and protest, that its not ok for the universe to dim her bright light. The only thing that brings me comfort is remembering the Buddhist teachings about the truth of impermanence, that when recognized, allows me to deepen in gratitude for every moment of this precious fleeting existence… much love and many thanks to you, for the illumination you bring to this world:)

By: Hinda

Hinda — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 18:01:06 +0000

Dave and I lost our son, Rich, two years ago. (You may have met him at CNN, as well, where he was an accomplished videographer.)

You are so right, Jane, about that horrible hole that ‘breaks open’ the heart of a grieving parent. It can’t be filled, but it does provide space to nurture deep empathy for others, such as may not have existed before the devastation.

I hurt so much for Vanessa Redgrave and for all parents who suffer this loss, this worst of horrors.