Carrie Fisher WAS Princess Leia- a Diplomat for the Curious and Stubborn
Growing up, our
family didn’t have much money. I had what I needed, and never wanted for
anything. Christmas was always magical, and Santa always filled my stocking.
Coca-Cola commercials were incredibly affectionate, and filled my heart with
love. In 1977, I was young, impressionable, and believed in the power of what
lie ahead of me. My mom watched Dr. Who on PBS, and sparked my imagination full
of wonder and the possibility of “what was out there”, before the X-Files asked
the notorious question.
Then, came Star
Wars. Oh. My. God. I was hooked, mesmerized, enchanted. This young, small
feisty princess wielded a blaster, took charge and pushed the limits of what a
Princess could do. She reconfigured in my mind what a girl could do, given the
gift of possibilities. I had a new role model, Princess Leia Organa, and new
crushes, Han Solo and Luke Skywalker. Honestly, given the choice, Han Solo was
the rogue I loved. I mean, who could resist him?
Driving home from the
movie theater, which was a rare treat to go to the movies, I looked into the
sky and imagined the Millennium Falcon darting, zooming through the darkness. Our
quartet of good guys led the way, Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and
Chewbacca.
Thankfully, I got
the action figures, and my best friend, Stephen, and I played Star Wars longer
than I can really remember. I was always Princess Leia- that was the benefit of
having a boy best friend. I imagined running from Stormtroopers, escaping a
garbage compactor, saving the galaxy from Darth Vader. All while keeping my
hair in perfect place and never breaking a sweat. Princess Leia made my
childhood more fun and inspired.
I cried real tears
today for a person I never met, for a person who truly changed my young mind
without even knowing me. She added stars to my imagination. A Princess died
today, someone who may have never known how much she touched young lives, for
generations to come, and more on the way. Princess Leia was a legend, a
diplomat for the curious and stubborn. The galaxy lost a renowned ambassador today,
and for that, I’m truly blue.
Rest in piece,
Carrie Fisher. Millions loved you more than you could ever imagine, more than
the stars in the galaxy you so fabulously represented.
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