Paul Walker was one of a kind
He certainly isn't the first actor that I've adored to die unexpectedly , there was Jon-Erik Hexum, River Phoenix , Brandon Lee, Scott Plank, and Heath Ledger to name a few , but somehow he was different. It seems like he's always been there , like a comforting security blanket you take for granted , foolishly believing it will always be around . He was young and healthy with a passion for life , a single father surrounded by people who loved him and in the middle of filming . There was no reason for any of us to think he wouldn't be here right now. He was the one actor I always knew what he was working on and when it would be released . Paul was on a short list of men I found flawlessly beautiful . I've read many the fanfic, watched tons of fanvids and joined in many squee sessions over the fast and the furious but I rarely posted about Paul in either words or pictures . My love for Paul just kind of went without saying because everyone knew and loved Paul Walker , didn't they !?!
The first time I laid eyes on Paul it was 1986 in a goofy film called monster in the closet . We were both 13 and I didn't give him much thought . Over the next several years he'd be known as that adorable boy that's been on a bunch of my shows . It wasn't until 1992 when he showed up on my mothers soap opera , The young & the restless , that i'd finally put a name to the face and forever be hooked . He rarely did a movie that I didn't love . I've seen She's all that , skulls , joyride , running scared , into the blue , eight below , flag of our fathers , the death and life of bobby z, Pleasantville, the lazarus project , takers and vehicle 19 several times .
Then of course there's The Fast and the Furious films , each one with Paul better than the last . We'd mark the calendar and count the days anxiously awaiting the release . Paul was at the top of a short list of actors that my husband , brother , all 5 kids and myself loved . Everybody would happily sit down together for one of his films and as the credits rolled we'd end up starting long conversations about the film , his character and him . Rounding out that list Jason Statham , Vin Diesel and the Rock so you can imagine how much we were looking forward to Fast 7. Now sadly come what may it will never be what it was originally intended. For over a decade we got to know and love Brian O'Connor and look forward to seeing him ever so often . It's like losing an old friend you didn't get to see often enough .
Still it takes more than a pretty face and talent to gain my undying admiration and respect . Though I didn't agree with all of his choices , Paul was only human and not perfect , he seemed to genuinely care about people and the world around him . He treated everybody with kindness and respect , not only lending his money but his time and energy to helping people and saving lives .
I followed him on facebook and twitter for what seems like forever and I regret not telling him what an impact he's made in my life . Truth is I didn't realize how big that impact was until he was gone . So thank you Paul for your contributions to making this world a better place . Thank you for bringing my family together , for inspiring passionate conversations, for decades of making me smile , laugh , cry, giggle , cringe , jump , hold my breath , swoon , scream and cheer . Most of all thank you for helping me escape what can be a cruel and harsh reality by easily pulling me into the worlds you brought to life leaving my worries behind .
I'll never have the honor of meeting him and my loss can never compare to those who knew and loved him best , his passing will leave a void that can't be filled .