Sad News: Kathleen Zundell

It's with a heavy heart I learned today that one of sweetest people I ever had the pleasure to meet has passed away from a long illness. Kathleen Zundell was the StoryTeller-in-Residence at the elementary school my children attend/ed. Quoting the school's principal:

"Kathleen touched the lives and hearts of children and families at our school for more than ten years, and we know that her absence will be felt across our campus."

Her connection with children, whether or not it was in a teaching environment, was indeed special. I know for a fact that my son's and daughter's outlook and fearless expression were greatly influenced by the storytelling sessions led by this inspirational woman. My third-grader will find out today when her teachers will break the news to the class. We'll be having the heart-to-heart talk with my son when he gets home from middle school. She will be missed.

Yes, this is all part of life, which my children will learn and grow from. But, it basically sucks when it's you, the parent, that gets to break the news to your child that someone they cared for has passed on. During times like these, for me, there is one poem I always seem to recall. Mary Frye's Do not stand at my grave and weep. Perhaps, it'll be a help to them and the rest of us.

Do not stand at my grave and weep,

I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am in a thousand winds that blow,

I am the softly falling snow.

I am the gentle showers of rain,

I am the fields of ripening grain.

I am in the morning hush,

I am in the graceful rush

Of beautiful birds in circling flight,

I am the starshine of the night.

I am in the flowers that bloom,

I am in a quiet room.

I am in the birds that sing,

I am in each lovely thing.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,

I am not there. I do not die.

Dom DeLuise: 1933 - 2009

Dom DeLuise, the manic comedic actor, passed away yesterday. He was always a fun to watch entertainer. He seem to scene steal in whatever venue he worked in. Whether he was on Dean Martin's or Carol Burnett's variety shows, or Mel Brooks or Burt Reynolds movies, Dom was a deranged bundle of energy. He always seemed to give himself entirely over to whatever role he was cast in. His closing bit as the musical director while the Blazing Saddles western cast crashed his set was totally unexpected and hysterical. But the one role that I think I'll always remember him for was his rare dramatic bit role in Sidney Lumet's 1964 cold war thriller, Fail Safe. His anguished take as the Air Force Sergeant (Collins) ordered to give his Soviet counterparts the technical secrets toward defeating our Hustler bombers on their mistaken run was something very special in a movie full of great performances. It was exceptional because, for someone not formally trained, he masterfully conveyed the character's conflict with his struggled delivery of the information while in an impossibly tense situation. When his character is done and sits down, you can clearly see the suffering he'll have to live with from that moment forward. What he does with this small role was nothing short of amazing. He will be missed. May he rest in peace.