When I first heard the news, I was as shocked as anyone. I knew he’d been battling cancer for quite some time, but it never crossed my mind that he would actually pass away from it.
Maybe I wasn’t being realistic. Maybe I just knew he’d live forever, no matter if he were on this Earth with us or not. Think about it for a moment, will you? Patrick Swayze will live forever.
Actors, entertainers … any celebrity would just want that 15 seconds of fame. One big gig that can set you up for life. Patrick Swayze got that opportunity and turned it into a smash hit.
Yes, I watched “Dirty Dancing” last night. I’m sure Patrick Swayze movies were on television sets all across the world.
We chose to watch “Dirty Dancing” because, you got it: “Nobody puts Baby in a corner.” It’s a catch-phrase that will live as long as “I’ll be back.”
Patrick Swayze meant a lot of things to a lot of people. I didn’t know him. I don’t know anyone that knew him personally. But I feel the pain of losing such a legendary star, as do a few of my friends.
I saw a loved one actually CRY last night, as she read a story on the web about Swayze’s life and career. How he’s leaving behind a wife. How he’s fought cancer for over 20 months. How he grew up wanting to be a professional dancer and an old football injury took that dream away.
Dead at age 57? Are you kidding me, right now? 57? 57!! It just makes you think. It really makes ME think. How long do I really have to accomplish my ultimate dream? Fifty-seven years old is way too young to pass on. So, how long do I really have to hit my goal. Swayze hit his. He’ll definitely live forever to millions and millions of people all across the world. Someday, I want to do the same.
Here in the next few days, I’m going to dig out my “Roadhouse” DVD and watch it. Can you believe I actually know someone (a Patrick Swayze fan, at that!) that has never ever seen Roadhouse? We’ll watch it together!
With a heavy heart, rest in peace.
This story was written by guest author Dustin Starr. Read more of Starr’s work at www.dustinstar.com or follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/DustinStarr.
Well said.
RIP, Mr. Swayze
I can’t believe it has been nearly 10 years since “Ghost” came out. I don’t want to be cliche and say “it feels like yesterday,” but it certainly does not feel like two decades.
The thing I will always remember about “Ghost” is that my grandmother went to see it in the theater. She had not ventured to the theater to see a movie since “The Sound of Music” came out in 1965. But there was something about “Ghost” that made her make the trip to the theater.
Patrick Swayze, you will be missed.
Very nice story. I enjoyed it. Patrick Swayze was a class act.
Even knowing this was coming did not make the news any easier to hear. I loved him in both the “Ghost” and “Dirty Dancing” movies. The Chippendales clip on SNL also never fails to make me laugh.
I had a 35 year old friend with two small kids die from this terrible form of cancer a few years ago so I knew just what his odds were. So sad.
It is often said “the good die young” and this is just one more case of that happening.
“Dirty Dancing” is one of those movies you want to watch over and over, and I have. “Ghost” is one of my all time favorite films. I really enjoyed all the actors in it and thought it was so perfectly cast, somehow fun and sad at the same time.
I’m sure Patrick was right when he said quoting from “Ghost” in his last interview back in January with Barbara Walters “You take the love with you.”
I’m sure his heart is full with all the love being sent his way from his loved ones and from his fans.
Swayze was a decent dude. 🙁