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In Snape and Col. Brandon There Was Committed Love
Learning the news of Alan Rickman’s passing today made me stop and pause. Rickman, 69, star of stage and screen, who is probably best known for his role as Snape in the “Harry Potter” films, lost his life to that dreaded demon, cancer. Rickman’s ability to play a variety of roles left us eager to see who he would play next. From his brilliant portrayal of Snape in the “Harry Potter” series of films to the hurtful, unfaithful husband in “Love Actually,” Rickman consistently brought tenderness, realism, and the right balance of wickedness to the parts he played. Rickman’s voice and delivery made him instantly recognizable. There was a resonating…
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If You Want to Cry, Give These A Try
I’ve found myself in a somewhat melancholy mood over the last week. I learned that a friend of mine—more of an acquaintance, really—passed away unexpectedly. She was close in age to me, but still, news like this has that power to rock your world. It is an all-too vivid reminder that none of us will live forever. When I begin to feel sad about things, I tend to want to pay attention to sad movies or sad books. So, if you need a good cry (which sometimes helps bring us out of the realm of murkiness), I would suggest immersing yourself in some or all of the following: 1: The…
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Kaleidoscope of Life
As a child, were you ever fascinated by a kaleidoscope? In this day and age of electronic toys, we still remember what it is, right? It is a hand-held instrument that you look through with your eye. It rotates as you turn the tube; forms change inside it, the result of reflections of two or more mirrors that are angled at each other. Kaleidoscopes change patterns and designs, offering us beautiful images, full of vivid color, and are lovely to examine. This past weekend, I attended three emotionally moving events. The first took place on Friday night as the university where I work teamed up with the American Cancer Society…