Topic: Heath Ledger - In Loving Memory

[hpv]

My plates came in the mail today. I braved the below freezing weather and hurricane force winds to put them on my car. Here's a crappy phone pic:

I just love the plates carby!!!!   

[afhickman]

Here's another poem, this time by William Butler Yeats.  I read it at the funeral service for my dearest friend a few years ago.  I know he would approve of its being read for Heath:

He Reaches for the Cloths of Heaven

Had I the heaven's embroidered cloths,
Enwrought with golden and silver light,
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night and light and the half-light,

I would spread the cloths under your feet:
But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.

William Butler Yeats

[Aurora]

Hello you all!

I've been on this thread every day since Heath passed away, posted only few times though. But anyway, wanted to say that this has been a good place to be with all of you people who share the same feeling.

It will probably always hurt a bit to think about Heath, the special person that he was. Altough I never met him in person, he managed to touch my soul in his potraid of Ennis and he together with Jake Gyllenhaal gave me perhaps the best lesson of love that I'm intended to follow in my life. I still can't watch him on videos or on films, but his smile makes me smile already and his goofy expressions makes me remember some funny memories I have of him.

One thing that I've been thinking on today is that I've read here how many people say that it makes them sad to think that Heath died alone... Yes, it makes me sad too if I think about it that way, but he wasn't alone in his life. I'm sure even in some dark moments he must have had, like we all, he knew in his heart that he wasn't alone. And, in the moment of death, isn't it so that every one of us must face that all by ourselves? And as I see it, if you can pass away while you are sleeping, that's the way to go that many of us would choose if it would be possible. Right?

I want to send my   to all of you, you've been a good shoulder during these difficult days!

[Tony]

   LuvJackNasty-makes perfect sense.  As best as we can tell, from the news, the funeral will be sometime in these few days, so it's like a wake
for us.   Some talk for awhile, then go quiet.  Some laugh at the good times. Some still are putting it all together.  Your reactions make better
sense than mine, I think, in that you may still be hit from that first day, and you just don't know where to go. That's always there at a wake-
the one who still can't piece it all together.  We'll be ok.  Love you-Tony.

[Hanna]

My new Heath candle, the last one burnt down yesterday. There will always be a candle at this place from now on, and when I move, it'll get a good place again.

[dirtbiker]

Such a sweet gesture, Hanna 

[JAKELANDIA]

My new Heath candle, the last one burnt down yesterday. There will always be a candle at this place from now on, and when I move, it'll get a good place again.

 

[Emzan]

This reminded me of Heath

Never gone,
Never far, In my heart is were you are,
Always close, everyday,
Every step along the way

It's from a backstreet boys song called Never Gone.

Heath will always be in my heart and today's the first day I haven't cried since I got the news. I don't know If I should be happy about that or not, but today I felt happy and I remembered all the good things Heath have done for me

[Asali]

I remember this pic on display at the art gallery - by Karen Catt
and would like to post it in remembrance of Heath.

[cowgirlKt!]

I just posted this over on the fanfic thread in response to a gorgeous story written by our own Christie....but I think maybe it's equally relevant here.

The following lyrics are to a song called One Small Star, written by a singer/songwriter called Eric Bogle who was born in Peebles, Scotland but has lived in Australia for almost 40 years now. The song was actually written just after the tragic shooting at Dunblane Primary School in which 16 primary one kids and their teacher lost their lives....but it's relevant to anyone who has lost someone special.

ONE SMALL STAR (Eric Bogle)

When I need to feel you near me
I stand in this quiet place
With the silver light of countless stars
Falling on my face
Though they all shine so brightly
Somehow it comforts me to know
That some who burn the brightest died
An eternity ago

CHORUS

But your light still shines
It's one small star to guide me
And to help me hold back the dark
Your light's still shining in my heart

I'm learning how to live without you
Though I never thought I could
And even how to smile again
I never thought I would
And to cherish the heart's memories
That can bring you back to life
Though some caress me gently
And some cut me like a knife

CHORUS

Can your soul be out there somewhere
Beyond the infinity of time
I guess you've found some answers now
I'll have to wait for mine
Till my light joins with yours some day
To shine through time and space
And one day fall, in a distant age
Upon some stranger's face

   thankyou for posting this its really nice and gives me nice images in my head..Heath our star shining on forever

[christie wood]

That's not flippant Esme - it's the truth, and it's one that we'll never forget. Scruffy shoes, stripey socks, strange clothes (sometimes) and a smile to die for - all of those were part of what made Heath so special to all of us and I want to remember all those things.

I agree, Lindsey.  Esme, what you said was perfect and I agree completely.  I never want to forget Heath and posting pics, talking about him as a person and as an actor, is something I never want to stop doing.  He will always be remembered here.

[hpv]

One thing that I've been thinking on today is that I've read here how many people say that it makes them sad to think that Heath died alone... Yes, it makes me sad too......

I did think that many times...plus I had that disturbing thought that he could be saved if someone was with him at that critical time,
on the other hand, nothing can bring him back now and I can't do anything about it from where I am but be grateful for the time he was with us, gave us all he have to give so gracefully and now we are just left with memories..

[Rosie]

That is gorgeous.

[finger in the dike]

For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning.

Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun,

So shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth.

Like sheaves of corn he gathers you unto himself.

He threshes you to make you naked.

He sifts you to free you from your husks.


And ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation.


When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.

Some of you say, "Joy is greater than sorrow," and others say, "Nay, sorrow is the greater."

But I say unto you, they are inseparable.

from: the Prophet
Kahlil Gibran



Idea of Beauty

Shy, he stepped off into the cornfield. I could see
his back muscles under the damp shirt quiver and go slack.
Turning again to face the shade, he smiled at me, not
squinted, smiled, and finished tugging shut his fly.
Now, when the cornstalks in the night wind slide
like fire, I see him. He steps closer in my dream.
I don't know, where he sleeps, if sleep refreshes him,
but here it works me like hot metal over a flame.

MELEAGROS, 3rd century B.C.E.

[hpv]

For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning.
Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun,
So shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth.
Like sheaves of corn he gathers you unto himself.
He threshes you to make you naked.
He sifts you to free you from your husks.
And ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation.
When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.
Some of you say, "Joy is greater than sorrow," and others say, "Nay, sorrow is the greater."
But I say unto you, they are inseparable.
from: the Prophet
Kahlil Gibran

Idea of Beauty

Shy, he stepped off into the cornfield. I could see
his back muscles under the damp shirt quiver and go slack.
Turning again to face the shade, he smiled at me, not
squinted, smiled, and finished tugging shut his fly.
Now, when the cornstalks in the night wind slide
like fire, I see him. He steps closer in my dream.
I don't know, where he sleeps, if sleep refreshes him,
but here it works me like hot metal over a flame.

MELEAGROS, 3rd century B.C.E.

That so beautiful!!! 

[HLJG]

What is hitting me so bad is that everything I read is full of "was" or "had". That is so new, so strange and so sad.

Every post touches me, and I am many many pages behind, but I have off from work tonite and I am going to read each and every one.
This post touched me deeply, as I have to correct myself often when I speak of heath--from he "is" to he 'was".,., 

[jackster]

Confidentiel

A beautiful song written by Jean-Jaques Goldman in 1985 for a close friend who had died ten years earlier. It is in French and sung "at dirge slowness". A beautiful video done with it two years ago by Cybella as Ennis remembers Jack. It can now be easily seen as us remembering Heath.

The French:

Je voulais simplement te dire
Que ton visage et ton sourire
Resteront près de moi, sur mon chemin

Te dire que c'était pour de vrai
Tout c'qu'on s'est dit, tout c'qu'on a fait
Qu'c'était pas pour de faux, que c'était bien

Faut surtout jamais regretter
Même si ça fait mal, c'est gagné
Tous ces moments, tous ces mêmes matins

J'vais pas te dire qu'faut pas pleurer
Y'a vraiment pas d'quoi s'en priver
Et tout c'qu'on n'a pas loupé, le valait bien

Peut-être on se retrouvera
Peut-être que peut-être pas
Mais sache qu'ici bas, je suis là

ça restera comme une lumière
Qui m'tiendra chaud dans mes hivers
Un petit feu de toi qui s'éteint pas


A (possibly poor) translation for those of us who are linguistically challenged, corrections welcomed:

I wanted simply to say to you,
that your face and your smile,
will remain by me, on my way.

To tell you that it was truth,
All that was said, all that was done,
that it was not false, that it was good.

Above all, never regret,
Even if it hurt, it was gain,
For all the moments, of all the same mornings.

I don't want to tell you not to cry,
truly, we don't want to turn our backs on anything,
everything we didn't miss out on was  well worth it.

Perhaps we'll see each other again,
maybe, maybe not,
but know that I am here.

There will remain like a light,
that will keep me warm in my winters,
a little fire of you which will not go out.


Watch the very moving video at:

[HLJG]

God bless you Ethan. I can only imagine how hard it must have been.   

Here, here Ethan.
Thank you so much.

[ethan]

Thank you so much to many of you who just joined us and have expressed your thoughts with us. How I wish it could be a joyful occasion to welcome you here. Your thoughts are touching and hugs to you. 

Hanna, seeing the candle warms me. I am having mine too. It will be a candle that never burns out.

Here, here Ethan.
Thank you so much.

HLJG, you are welcome. It is a honor to do this tribute.

As painful as it is, the words from all of you are comforting. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

[HLJG]

Pardon me, I'm in tears. I did just see Daniel Day's tribute to Heath on the SAG awards. I am going to be late to work, so I'm going to make this quick. I made a fanvid. I'm sorry this might not be in the exactly right spot, but to me, we all have our own tributes. Please, if you have a few minutes watch this. Thank you. God bless.



God bless you, Heath.  :\'(  

This was just lovely. Thank you so much.

[HLJG]

Thanks from me too, mods. The newsletter was a perfect tribute.

It was just incredible. Thanks you so very much.

[HLJG]

Thank you for your heartbreaking vids, Ravenus and Twisted! So beautiful!  :\'(

They are both just so beautiful.
I still wake up and for a few seconds I forget.,. and then reality hits me.,.

[HLJG]

Oh god...Ethan...that video...

I hadn't cried...not really...until now

 :\'( :\'( :\'( :\'( :\'(

Just beautiful. Thank you so much.

[FlwrChild]

HLJG 

[lancecowboy]

Jackster, this is beyond moving. It is so beautiful. I love every bit, but especially the part I bolded and colored red. Thank you so much.  :\'(

Confidentiel

A beautiful song written by Jean-Jaques Goldman in 1985 for a close friend who had died ten years earlier. It is in French and sung "at dirge slowness". A beautiful video done with it two years ago by Cybella as Ennis remembers Jack. It can now be easily seen as us remembering Heath.

The French: Je voulais simplement te dire Que ton visage et ton sourire Resteront près de moi, sur mon chemin Te dire que c'était pour de vrai Tout c'qu'on s'est dit, tout c'qu'on a fait Qu'c'était pas pour de faux, que c'était bien Faut surtout jamais regretter Même si ça fait mal, c'est gagné Tous ces moments, tous ces mêmes matins J'vais pas te dire qu'faut pas pleurer Y'a vraiment pas d'quoi s'en priver Et tout c'qu'on n'a pas loupé, le valait bien Peut-être on se retrouvera Peut-être que peut-être pas Mais sache qu'ici bas, je suis là ça restera comme une lumière Qui m'tiendra chaud dans mes hivers Un petit feu de toi qui s'éteint pas

A (possibly poor) translation for those of us who are linguistically challenged, corrections welcomed: I wanted simply to say to you, that your face and your smile, will remain by me, on my way. To tell you that it was truth, All that was said, all that was done, that it was not false, that it was good. Above all, never regret, Even if it hurt, it was gain, For all the moments, of all the same mornings. I don't want to tell you not to cry, truly, we don't want to turn our backs on anything, everything we didn't miss out on was  well worth it. Perhaps we'll see each other again, maybe, maybe not, but know that I am here. There will remain like a light, that will keep me warm in my winters, a little fire of you which will not go out.

Watch the very moving video at:

[Asali]

Every post touches me, and I am many many pages behind, but I have off from work tonite and I am going to read each and every one.
This post touched me deeply, as I have to correct myself often when I speak of heath--from he "is" to he 'was".,., 

I will give you my love and  now. I have been unable to read every post as yet, its too emotional, just skimming through.

[lancecowboy]

    Thanks Esmelily-you all are the greatest!  And, no, there's nothing flippant about wanting those photos to keep rolling in- that's part of who he was.
    I know I am posting a lot.  That's a no-win deal, there, as some might find that over-done, but there are others who find each and every post, from everybody, even people just signing up, a proof that their own feelings are not mis-placed or couldn't be understood.
   Anyway, some rambling thoughts about Heath.  When they write books about him (and they will), I hope they catch the tensions and contradictions in his life. So very many.  He often referred to himself as being on a journey, always moving on, and yet we can see, at times, how much he wanted to settle down to one place.
   He was painfully shy, and yet got out there every day, to meet the world.  He wanted his privacy, and yet he also wanted to signal some deep inner hurts.  He was ambitious, and yet he spoke of just walking away from it all.  He was graceful, at times, beyond nearly everyone else, and yet, at other times, awkward and ill at ease.  And he wanted to blow-off deep underlying meanings to life even as he often pursued them.
   It was these very contradictions that integrated into the full person.  But most of all, when they write those books, I hope they capture the biggest contadiction of all- Heath was often, just---ordinary, and knew that, and wanted the peace of blending in with the ordinary world.
  And when they come to the troubled parts of his life, I sincerely hope they look closer.  Whatever failures there were, they never went down the road to malice or spite or mocking other people.  If he went along for the ride, in the faults natural to human beings, this was one guy who always did that from a natural liking for people, and he always drew back from cruelty to others.  That speaks more for him than all his talent, all his good-breeding, all of his love for life---Heath wanted people to be happy, even when sometimes, he wasn't. That may well be the real story of the life of Heath Ledger-he loved people.  Painfully shy, according to close friends.  But loved people as they were. That is a rare soul.

This is a beautiful tribute to Heath, Tony. I hope his biographers will pay heed to your words, and notice the most extraordinary part of Heath was his grounded ordinariness. Someone once said that heroes are ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Heath is my hero. As you said, he wanted others to be happy even when sometimes, he wasn't. And this is the source of his wisdom, a yearning to know people, to love people. Thank you, friend, for your extraordinary perceptiveness, and understanding of Heath.

 

[lancecowboy]

Every post touches me, and I am many many pages behind, but I have off from work tonite and I am going to read each and every one.
This post touched me deeply, as I have to correct myself often when I speak of heath--from he "is" to he 'was".,., 

  HLJG You are not alone in that. I still speak of Heath in the present tense sometimes, as I do Ennis. I guess it feels like they are still here in me, so it feels right to use the present tense. I know, I am weird in that regard, but I am willing to take on any label for them. It comforts me somehow, to be able to say Ennis is a loving man, or Heath has the gift that touched many souls. These are universal and eternal qualities that, somehow, I don't feel right putting into the past.

I hope you find your comfort zone.

 

[Rosie]

Confidentiel

A (possibly poor) translation for those of us who are linguistically challenged, corrections welcomed:

I wanted simply to say to you,
that your face and your smile,
will remain by me, on my way.

To tell you that it was truth,
All that was said, all that was done,
that it was not false, that it was good.

Above all, never regret,
Even if it hurt, it was gain,
For all the moments, of all the same mornings.

I don't want to tell you not to cry,
truly, we don't want to turn our backs on anything,
everything we didn't miss out on was  well worth it.

Perhaps we'll see each other again,
maybe, maybe not,
but know that I am here.

There will remain like a light,
that will keep me warm in my winters,
a little fire of you which will not go out.


Watch the very moving video at:

How beautiful.

[keren_b]

One thing that I've been thinking on today is that I've read here how many people say that it makes them sad to think that Heath died alone... Yes, it makes me sad too if I think about it that way, but he wasn't alone in his life. I'm sure even in some dark moments he must have had, like we all, he knew in his heart that he wasn't alone. And, in the moment of death, isn't it so that every one of us must face that all by ourselves? And as I see it, if you can pass away while you are sleeping, that's the way to go that many of us would choose if it would be possible. Right?

I completely agree. I told Christie today, I wanna think that he lived his life to the fullest, that he enjoyed and loved what he did and that he fulfilled his dreams in life... and that eventually he just went to sleep and didn't wake up, without even knowing what was happening to him. I'm sticking to this version because it brings me some comfort, and I don't wanna read any stuff that says otherwise.