I’ve been expecting this sad day for quite some time, but it’s still hard.
I’m glad Leonard Nimoy has been released from the bondage of COPD because the malady is miserable, and wishing him more time on earth here with us would be cruel. We need to be grateful for the time we had with him, rather than wishing for more of it.
But Mr. Spock was almost as much a part of me as Dr. McCoy was. If not for Spock logic, in fact, I might not have survived my teenage years. Learning to conduct myself as Spock-like as possible, I was able to cure my ulcer, deescalate the war with my alcoholic father, and find another way to express myself that preserved my dignity. Before Mr. Spock, I wasn’t living up to my own standards, let alone anyone else’s.
I met Leonard briefly in 1968 and again in 1971. (He was playing Paris in MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE at the time this photo was taken in 1971).
I gave him love beads in ’68, which he continued to wear during a quick interview he did with a Seattle TV station.I can’t find the photo right now or I would post it, too.
I contributed covers and articles to his official fan publication.
When he came to Seattle to do VINCENT on stage (in 1978, I think) I planned to be in the audience–but a cougar at the sanctuary where I volunteered fell ill so I elected to stay with her and nurse her through the crisis. I sent Leonard a note telling him why I couldn’t attend, and he sent me a program, signed, saying I made the right decision. (Dang…where is that program and that note? I’ll have to search my archives and try to find it.)
That’s how thoughtful he was.
Although DeForest Kelley will always claim the most real estate in my heart (if you’ve read my book, you know why), Leonard Nimoy will always have a big chunk of what’s left over. I bought his books of poetry, his music albums (love SPOCK THOUGHTS, which is Desiderata renamed, ‘no comment’ on his singing voice!), and watched his career unfold after TREK. He was a multifaceted professional with a wonderful heart, mind and soul.
I miss him already…
“First star to the right and straight on ’til morning!”
