Too Little, Too Dead

By Masayoe Nabilah

“In loving memory”, the screen read, with an image of the strikingly handsome Paul Walker.

I remained rooted to my seat as the movie credits of Brick Mansions rolled.

All around me, movie-goers excitedly discussed parkour stunts featured in the movie, but I could only heave a sigh of despair as I reflected on the loss of one of my favourite Hollywood actors.

Gosh, Brick Mansions was action-packed and pretty amazing, but the heartfelt tribute to Paul Walker got me a little misty-eyed.

And it is all too normal for one to care about a celebrity more after his or her death. With the recent passing of beloved celebrities Joan Rivers, and Ladies’ Code’s EunB and RiSe, fans around worldwide keenly feel the loss.

Take also the recent passing of actor and comedian Robin Williams –– the past three weeks have seen the public outpouring of grief from family, friends and fans. In a confirmed case of suicide, the 63-year-old was found dead on 11 Aug at his home in California.

Flowers have been placed on his Walk of Fame star in Hollywood. Ben Stiller recalled the smiles that Williams brought to the faces of many.

Even Barack Obama had his say in it: “Robin Williams was an airman, a doctor, a genie, a nanny … and everything in between. But he was one of a kind.”

Not only was Williams passionate about acting, he cared about his fellow human beings.

When a little known story about Robin Williams was revealed after his death, many found out that he used his clout to help others. Before he was hired, Williams was entitled to specify several conditions, and he always requested that the producers hire several homeless people before he would work with them.

It appears that it takes the passing of a talented individual to garner appreciation and respect for his or her talent, or for the impact they had on the lives of others. Robin Williams was appreciated during his career of upturning frowns and evoking laughter with his effortlessly witty characters, but the world expressed its overwhelming love for this iconic figure only after he passed away.

He’s not the first, and he won’t be the last.

With exclusive access to celebrities through tabloids, it seems as if we ‘know’ these on-screen personalities, and become emotionally invested in them. Subconsciously, we forge one-sided relationships with these celebrities and begin to accept them as part of our lives. It then becomes natural to long for what we believe was an intimate connection that we once had, and we feel sorrow when we hear the news of the passing of one of Hollywood’s familiar faces.

Or perhaps, we feel like a particular celebrity ‘understands’ us, as his or her song lyrics reflect the emotional turmoil we harbour deep inside. Oh yes, fans of Amy Winehouse would know what I mean.

Therefore, when they pass, we tend to grieve more deeply because we feel the special connection being severed.

I recall receiving a text from my mum at 7.40am, a day after Robin Williams’ death: “What a waste! I liked him. He made me laugh.”

I was never particularly fond of Robin Williams, but I felt a subtle ache in my heart. Even as a casual fan, I couldn’t help but be affected by his death.

I have to admit though, my sorrow over Paul Walker’s death is mainly due to the loss of his irresistibly good looks. No more sultry blue eyes staring me down the screen as he slips into the driver seat of his hot red 2010 Alfa Romeo Giulietta for a spin in Fast and Furious 6. Now that’s a shame.

Surely it is not a crime to speak good of the dead, to reminisce good old memories that once seemed imperishable. With the death of Paul Walker, Robin Williams and many other celebrities, many of us remember the good our favourite celebrities have done.

But does all this come too little, too late?

Just the other day, I stumbled upon a tweet of a bar chart that portrayed how people tend to value things. I felt a chill running down my spine as I realised how true this simple illustration was. Too often, we take those we care about for granted and only realise their true value once they are taken away from us.

VALUE OF ANYTHING: Most things gain greater value only after they have been lost to us.
PHOTO: INTERNET

The late Leo F. Buscaglia, a motivational speaker popularly known as “Dr. Love”, said: “Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”

While our favourite celebrities may never hear of the praise we have for them, there are many people, much closer to us, whom we can reach out to. We often pass up golden opportunities to tell someone how much we appreciate them, thinking that there is always another time.

But what if tomorrow never comes?

Life is short and fleeting. If the lives of our favourite celebrities can be taken away without warning, it can also rob us of our loved ones.

So before it becomes too little, too late, let us learn to treasure the people we truly love –– just as we want to be appreciated.