Patrick Swayze (1952-2009)
Patrick was one of my earliest crushes, so it seems fitting to remember him here on my slashy flist. Though I knew he had cancer, his loss hit me hard. I was stunned when Wiggle mentioned in an offhand remark after dinner tonight that he'd died. :(
I think people tended to underestimate Patrick Swayze. I refused to. He entertained me, inspired me, and touched me deeply with his performances in Ghost and City of Joy. He was a damn fine dancer, a very determined man, and was involved in environmentalism long before it was called the green movement. He was secure enough in his masculinity to show the world that guys could be tough and still dance, cry, show vulnerabilities, and even play transvestites in movies. He was as daring as they come, and enjoyed challenging people's assumptions. His life was struck by tragedy a number of times, with his sister's death by overdose, his father's death by heart attack, his own battle with alcoholism, and finally a grueling struggle with pancreatic cancer that today claimed his life.
Such a terrible ending for a very fine person. I will always remember Patrick Swayze fondly.
May his family find peace and comfort to help them cope with his loss.