It's been almost a month since Nora Ephron died, but I still think about her. I loved some of the movies she made – Sleepless in Seattle is arguably my all-time favorite movie – but I didn't realize she was an essayist and humorist, too. I have to go find and read some more of her work.
Meryl Streep said of Nora that she always looked at situations and asked herself how she could make it more fun. I think that's a wonderful way to write – and to live. That's what I want to do with my stories.
When reading that article about Nora, I saw things that I want to emulate in my life, like writing about everyday things with humor. (How do you write about cabbage with humor, Nora? I'll have to read that one.) I write stuff like that in everyday emails to my friends and in Facebook posts. I should really do more on-purpose humor writing to make people laugh or feel connected. It's something I've always loved, thanks to Erma Bombeck. Erma is another writer whose words and wisdom have stayed with me ever since I read her as a kid. (I read her newspaper columns over my mom's shoulder.)  Because of Erma, I burn up my pretty candles rather than letting them melt in the safety of the storage unit. 🙂
At the end of the article about Nora's life and death, the writer says Nora concluded a collection of her writing, “I Remember Nothing,” with two lists – one of things she wouldn't miss when she died, and one of things she would. I love that idea so much that I'm going to start those lists right now. I'll post them over the next two days.
What about you? Have you made lists like this? I think it's the sort of thing that helps you remember what's important to you while you're alive. It's a way to get closer to living with no regrets. And that's something that really appeals to me. 🙂
Responses
I agree with your take on Nora. I feel the same about Ray Bradbury, who died a short time ago. For me, the fact of death creates the energy to write, but then I’m old. 😉
Ray Bradbury, yes, that struck me because a friend of mine just finished a short film based on Kaleidoscope and he got to meet with Ray a couple times before he died. SO COOL! But I don’t think these things affect us because we’re old – LOL! – but because we are old enough to see the bigger picture and the overarching themes in life. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by, J.D!
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I loved Erma and read the column every day. A teacher told me in junior high that I wrote like her and I was delighted.
I knew bugs would be on that list…hee hee…..still laughing after all these years.
That’s an awesome compliment, Kathleen! I do so love your writing. It makes me laugh like Erma made me laugh. 🙂
Yes, yes, that cockroach incident will never leave the memory of you or Lauraine or me – much as *I’D* personally love to forget it!! 😀
[…] On Wednesday, I told you that Nora Ephron wrote two lists at the end of a collection of her work – a list of things she’ll miss and a list of things she won’t. I decided to start lists of my own and shared with you the list of Things I Won’t Miss When I Die yesterday. […]