Like millions of other people around the globe, I was saddened to hear of film critic Roger Ebert's death today, April 4th, 2013. He waged a tremendous fight against the ravages that cancer brought him, both physically and emotionally, and did so with strength and grace. His writing was intelligent and lively; full of depth and thoughtful observation while never coming off as snobby or precious. He had a pugnacious side, to be sure, and always preferred to have the winning point of view -- not everyone agreed with him, and he could be more than a little testy at times. Yet he always retained a wicked sense of humor, and never once lost his zest for life nor generosity towards others, when most other people would have thrown in the towel in bitter defeat a thousand times over.
But you probably know all that about Roger Ebert already, or will if you read any of the many, many tributes that will be published today and in the years to come. What I want you to see here, if you haven't yet, is this quote from his book "Life Itself: A Memoir," written in 2011. I have listened to or read thousands and thousands and thousands of Ebert's words over a good 30 years or so, and I believe this the best thing he ever wrote:
I urge you to read this over and over. Print it out and post it by your desk, or your fridge, or your car, or everywhere. Read it, read it, read it, read it...and believe with all your heart and mind in it, because this is truth. There isn't anything more important you ever need to know as you go through your one and only life. If you strive every day to live up to the statements in these five sentences, you will have a good life, and you will leave the planet in a better place than when you got here. That is the best any of us can ever do.
Roger Ebert had a good life.
© Copyright 2008- Marianne Spellman