Monday, March 18, 2013

Valerie Harper Is Living In The Moment

As I’m sure most of you have read, actress Valerie Harper has come out publicly with her recent diagnosis of a terminal and incurable form of brain cancer.

And I have to say, upon hearing this news last week, I was devastated and felt extremely saddened.

I also think that because of the recent passing of my mother with a cancer that eventually went to her brain, hearing this hit close to home. And ironically, my mother and Valerie were almost the same age.

Valerie Harper is most known for her role as, Rhoda, on the Mary Tyler Moore Show, and then later went on to have her own show, Rhoda.

Yet, she is also a seasoned stage actress as well.

Valerie Harper as Tallulah Bankhead in the Broadway show, Looped

I guess because I have been following her career through the mediums of television, film and theater for so long, it seemed as though I was hearing this news about someone I knew personally. Also, because Valerie Harper has such an amazing way of expressing herself so genuinely through interviews that I’ve watched throughout these many years, she has always come across as someone I would adore hanging out with and being friends. There is something very lovable and comfortable about Valerie Harper.

Last week I spent a lot of time reading articles online and viewing video clips of Harper speaking openly about her diagnosis, and how she’s dealing with it. And it finally dawned on me WHY, for all these years, I have sensed her as someone special.

It’s her unbelievable attitude and perception.

Valerie has taken what has been a very shocking piece of news from her doctors and decided to share with the world, what it is that she is learning through this diagnosis.

And what has impressed me the most is that she is not only speaking candidly about all the various emotions she’s feeling of her fear in not knowing how long she has left to live; the possibility of experiencing pain; the grief in leaving her family and loved ones, but more so how she has made the choice to embrace this chapter of her life and live it with a positive attitude – and to the fullest. In spite of her fears.

And another thing that has impressed me about Valerie is the way she looks - physically. Even though she has a terminal illness and may only have three months to live, she looks so vibrant, healthy and alive. She literally glows with an internal light.

Here are some quotes from Harper:

Valerie is doing something that I myself try to exercise in my own life, but sometimes struggle with.

Perhaps we can take what this extraordinary lady is trying to convey with the time she has remaining; learning from what she is sharing with us.

Live the moment.

Because really, that’s where life happens.

In the now.

I leave you with a short video clip of Valerie Harper.

Thank you, Valerie. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. And for sharing it so openly and honestly. Live on, girl, and know that you are LOVED!