Alan Rickman

Alan Rickman's death has made me incredibly sad. I've been processing it all day. The question of "why" is always one to consider, but with a celebrity, why does it matter so much?

I think when a celebrity who has had an effect on us through art dies, it brings forward the feelings of those we have lost that we did know personally. The music, movies, and theater created by the talented celebrities who can honestly be called "artist" (of whom both Alan Rickman and David Bowie were) create an emotional connection that mimics what we have between us as humans. It's one way, of course, but as anyone who has experienced unrequited feelings knows, that doesn't make it less of an emotional connection.

So in their death, we experience again all the feelings of friends and family we have lost, as well as the tragedy of "what else could they have created, given time?" All combined, it's no wonder we've all been upside down with the loss of such giants.

I had an incredible conversation earlier with a dear friend about death and loss, especially those that seem unfair. I am grateful for friends like him who can express their rage and anger at loss while allowing me to express grief, who don't lessen what I'm feeling. Talking it through is also made it easier, as it usually does. A burden shared...

Tonight we watched Dogma and Galaxy Quest in the name of Alan Rickman. If I had started the Harry Potter movies, I would have to watch them all and I don't know if I can watch him die tonight (Die Hard, Potter, many others). I needed comedy.

Always.