Nora Ephron died yesterday at the age of 71 years old. She was just a little younger than my mother. I had NO idea that she had been battling leukemia. That's the thing about having friends that you've never actually met. You don't know what's really going on in their lives. Not that me knowing would have made the least bit of difference - I suppose I could have sent her a card and some positive energy. I'm sure that her family was taking very good care of her.
What I want to say about Nora is that she meant something to me. I have read her books and watched her movies and they have meant more to me than I can say. Sleepless in Seattle, When Harry Met Sally and You've Got Mail have been very important to Ron and I over the years...if we are clicking through the channels, stumble upon one of those 3 movies, we stop and watch it - almost every time. We can quote the dialogue from any section of the movie. She also recently wrote the screenplay for Julie & Julia - another gem.
She also did more serious work - Silkwood and Heartburn come to mind. I much prefer her light-hearted romantic comedies, though. It's interesting that just a couple days ago I watched Hanging Up. That movie was written by Delia and Nora Ephron and loosely based on their relationship with their father. I enjoyed most of it - until I fell asleep! I will have to cue it up again.
Anyway, I would like to publicly thank Nora here for the difference she made in my life. Her books and movies have made me laugh and made me cry and made my life better. I wish I could have said thank you in person. I will miss you, Nora!
