Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds

         The passing of Carrie Fisher hit me, though not in the way it must have hit her family. I never truly knew her and had never met her at any Comicons. Reading about her for the past few days, I realize that I barely even knew the tip of the iceberg about her. Still, I can contribute something. As a fan of Star Wars, it seems only natural.

        The Carrie Fisher I saw was a princess from a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away (yes, I realize I probably owe someone a money for that). She was firm in her belief, not afraid in the face of darkness, being captured was just a hindrance, and she also had a softer, kinder side. I watched in awe as a young boy at how she took charge after being rescued, actually saving the men that came to save her.
       I watched how she was captured by a crime lord and made to wear an embarrassing outfit. It was made to humiliate and break her. Of course, it's such sweet justice when the exact item meant to humiliate is used to kill the humiliator (from a fictional standpoint of course, I do not condone anyone to murder someone for embarrassing them. Self defense is for another argument). In the end, she was a key person to help restore a little bit of balance to the galaxy.

       I realize that this is only a character based off a script, but I also know that it takes a great actor/actress, to make me believe that character could actually exist. Carrie, as Princess Leia, changed how I viewed women. I started to believe that there were women around me who could do anything a man could (I had much to learn about the world) and look great doing it also. I noticed how strong the women were around me, I still do. She was such an inspiration to a young boy and helped expand my world to something better. She made me want to help others and not back down when someone needed my help. For making my childhood and life awesome, I thank you, Carrie, from the bottom of my heart.

Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher at the Screen Actors Guild Awards. Picture by ABC News

        I only figured out that Debbie was Carrie's mother through an interview they did together on Oprah. I looked her up and found that she had starred in Disney's Holloween Town. I also found she was in a movie I had been wanting to watch, Singing in the Rain. I bought it without a second thought and watched it. Then I watched it again and again and again. The music was beautiful and the dancing even more so (lord knows I have no rythem at all).

          Like Carrie, Debbie brought a smile to my face and helped me to see a bigger world.  I'm sad I didn't truly know these women, but I am glad at how I did. My life is better because these two were in the world. Even now, when they don't reside on our plain, their works can continue inspiring future generations. Thank you both for being a part of my life.

"Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who transform into the Force. Mourn them do not. Miss them do not." - Yoda

​~Philip M. Warden~