In Memory of Heath Ledger

I did not know him and I have only seen a few of his movies, if any in whole at that. I remember Heath Ledger from 10 Things I Hate About You, A Knights Tale and Brokeback Mountain. I've always liked him for choosing roles that were playful and fun. There was something genuine about him. When I heard about his performance in Brokeback Mountain, I was incredibly happy to hear that he has evolved into an amazing actor. When I heard Heath was cast as The Joker, I was ecstatic. After seeing images and clips of his performance, The Dark Knight became my number one must see film and still is. Now I'm not sure if I can sit through the movie without crying, especially in the end where I'm sure they will have a quick scene in remembrance of his life. I believe he was a rising star, an actor ready for the challenges that many great actors have accepted before him. Unfortunately, his path has ended, much like the young talented actors such as River Phoenix and Brandon Lee. It is important though, to remember that the value of life isn't gaged on how long we live, but how we chose to live it, what we accomplish and who we affect. Heath Ledger chose well, but his time has come in a way no one expected.

Remember to live each moment, whether it be eating breakfast, sharing stories with family or even fighting rush hour traffic. Each and every moment makes up who we are, good or bad, and that is what you will be remembered for. I know someone whose life had ended too soon. So soon that I didn't have enough time to say good-bye. The journey they are on now is beyond our comprehension. They can no longer make the choices we make each day. But we still have the ability to make a choice. That is perhaps the biggest blessing we all have. Don't let this unfortunate event be just a reminder. Reminders will simply fade away. Make a change and make a choice. The world is deeply connected and we are all a part of it. Live life well and never stop dreaming because it's not too late as long as you can still choose.

"Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live."

My deepest regards to his family and friends and his daughter, Matilda.