Four years ago this weekend, one of my closest friends died unexpectedly, just two days after her 37th birthday. I’d known Brittany for almost 20 years. Unfortunately, I hadn’t seen much of her in the weeks leading up to her death. She had had a bad cold that she couldn’t seem to shake and as I was in the middle of chemotherapy and particularly vulnerable to infections, we just hadn't seen each other. Brittany’s birthday was a couple of days after my last chemo treatment, and she wanted to get together with some friends at the Farmer’s Market. Based upon my three previous treatments, I thought I would be feeling up to it. But this time around the chemo really kicked my butt and there was no way that I could go. I called her to tell her but left a message on voice mail when she didn't pick up. Unbeknownst to me, she’d called my cell phone to tell me that she was canceling; she wasn’t feeling up to it either. The gathering was to be Saturday and I got the horrible news from Brittany’s mother on Tuesday morning. After not hearing from her for a couple of days, Brittany’s stepfather drove up to LA from Orange County to check on her and he’s the one that found her in her apartment. Despite the fact that an autopsy was performed, there was no conclusive evidence that showed what caused her death.
We met standing in line for an overnight screening of the Star Wars trilogy over Labor Day weekend in 1984. She was about to begin film school at USC to pursue her dream of being a filmmaker. In the late 90’s she produced three independent features. (And if you look closely about 30 minutes in to Goat on Fire and Smiling Fish, you’ll get a quick glimpse of yours truly.)
I still think about her all the time. Working in and around the entertainment business as I do, there’s rarely a day that goes by when I don’t see something or read something that I would love to talk to her about. She was savvy, smart, funny, honest, direct, spiritual and like many people who pursue the Hollywood dream, not nearly as successful as she deserved to be. I wish that she had lived to see all her dreams come true, but I’ll always be grateful that she was a part of my life.
3 comments:
Love the blog. You write so well and so compellingly that I feel as though I knew Brittany myself. Being staunchly on the other side politically, I'll refrain from commenting there! :-) For now, I'll also stay away from Buckeye conversation - it's quite frustrating to be a Buckeye living in Florida this year, especially when your son gets an e-mail today inviting him to Gator football camp this summer. Argh! Looking forward to your next posting.
Gosh, I can't believe it's been four years. I certainly didn't know Brittany well, but I do know how much her friendship meant to you, and she certainly was colorful -- I remember her as being quite entertaining the night she drove us to The Bobs concert at Pepperdine. As if it wasn't bad enough to lose our parents and other older folks we love, it is just plain wrong to have to lose people long before their time, especially to "unknown causes."
Oh, darlin'... it can't possibly be four years already!?!
You DO know, of course, that Brittany never had a better friend than you, don't you? If you don't know that, YOU ABSOLUTELY SHOULD... and I speak on behalf of all your friends (known to me and otherwise).
I never met Brittany in person, but I feel that I knew her, and that's ALL because of you, Sharon. The love you had/have for your friend radiates from you like a halo.
Brittany would be proud of the way she's remembered in your day-to-day life. And while I don't dare speak for anyone else, the example of your love for her makes me even happier than usual to call myself your friend.
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