Roald Dahl...

[Phud]

I saw a biography of the children's writer Roald Dahl yesterday. I know very little about him except that he writes great qwirky books (I always thought the Umpah Loompah's were insanely creepy). The biography was less about his books and more about the influences in his life. When he was young, his oldest sister died (she was seven) from appendicitis. His father died shortly after that and the biography showed Dahl talking about his mother's grief and how it affected him. He was very insightful given that he was so young when his sister died. Of course, I had no idea his own seven year old daughter had died by the time he gave the interview I was listening to. No wonder he was so insightful. What a horrible way to learn what your parents had gone thru. They showed a latter interview with Dahl (on Parkinson) where he was asked about his daughter's death (he went into a very deep depression and did not write for several years; his wife--at the time--said that while she was grieving desperately, their daughter's death nearly 'broke' Roald, and that she had to be the strong one...*sob*) and Dahl's reply was "you have to go on...it isn't like you have a choice in the matter." Isn't that the universal truth of dealing with your child's death? What f-ing choice do we have??? I half suspect that is where so much of our anger comes from, don't you think?

Anyway...I wanted to share here. I was very touched by the interview and the fact that it did not gloss over the very impressionable parts of his life (and particularly did not try to lessen the devistation of losing a child).

[Margarete Anne]

Christine,

My kids have read all of his books......and I had no idea about his life. Should teach me a lesson that I should do more reading about the author's than I do. Yes......we just have to go on.....what choice do we have.......I said that to myself last week after 27 years........at the time it seemed impossible that I would make it through the week. It all still hurts my heart, ya' know?

Thinking about you, lady.

[Berni]

My mind wandered, reading what you wrote, to wonder WHY it feels so much "easier" (??) for a 'known person' to have an impact on others/us??

Cuz you know.......if YOU were on Parkinson.......I would definitely be weeping hearing you talk about your beautiful twin boys and everything you and Chris went through together with them........ (((((HUGE HUGS)))))

I do like finding out more about people.......seemingly 'well-known' people..... You and I talked about Annie Lennox in London on Saturday.......did you know she had a son who was born still??

(P.S. LOVE seeing your new 'location'!!! Thrilled you are back online!!! )

[momto3angels]

Berni~

I did know about Annie Lenox. I have always loved her music-but got her CD "Bare" after Hannah, RYan and Abby died and it still is one of my favorites.

C-I guess some of our anger does come from this-from having no choice but to move forward. I'm glad you found the interview touching...