@zolabundance2 2 January 2022 edited

Farewell... Betty White

I am trying to remember if it was in 2020 or last year (like 2021 was so long ago... hahaha!) when I discovered a clip on You Tube, featuring American television icon Betty White. It was actually a blooper reel of her last sitcom, "Hot in Cleveland". Yes, this memory is triggered by Betty White's passing on New Year's Eve. I thought it was a prank as I scrolled through my YT feed and saw the news that the 99-year-old grand dame of American TV had died, just 17 days before she would celebrate her centennial. Funny how seeing her on TV all these years, especially in the last five, you'd think she was invincible and would always be there. That she still kept appearing on the small screen was amazing given how advanced in age she already was. But... she was still sprightly, witty, and very entertaining. Anyway, at the time I saw that blooper reel I wasn't in very high spirits. Or at least, I could use some cheering up. And boy was I more than cheered after watching that nine-minute clip! I was in stitches and teary-eyed laughing at Betty White's bloopers - either dialogue or acting. Imagine they were filming the series before a live audience! And I have since re-watched that clip several times and would always react the same way as when I first saw it. So, my conclusion is the woman was a genius. Her deadpan way of delivering the funniest lines truly cracks me up, or when she flubs them. And you can't help laughing when you see her co-stars (Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeves, and Wendie Malick) trying to be very professional by holding back their laughter but failing. While she first became famous as a TV personality on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, I didn't catch that show, but would only see clips of it later. Betty White came to my consciousness watching ***The Golden Girls***. Her portrayal of the naive Rose Nylund was just so precious. I love that there were re-runs on cable of the show, and while I've seen those episodes, it would still be as funny as when I first watched them many, many years ago. I understand why Betty White is much-loved, not only by her audience but by the people who have had the opportunity to work with her. She is a gem, if you listened (or read about) to what other actors would say about her. And as successful and popular as she was, what will strike you most hearing her speak as she received accolade after accolade is how humble she was. Yes, she knew she was popular and well-loved, but she always saw this ability and opportunity to entertain people as a privilege and gift. To have worked in showbusiness for over 60 years is phenomenal! And to have never lost her luster as a performer was even more astounding. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqPNyn2s2pw Often asked when interviewed about her secret to success and long life, Betty would reply that she just enjoyed her life and all that she was able to do. (And vodka helped, too! hahaha!) Yes, she was raised in a home where laughter was the norm, and so she learned how to make people laugh. I believe her love for animals was also a factor that helped her live as long as she did. It is heart-breaking to learn of her passing, especially since just a few weeks ago she was quoted as saying how grateful she was to be in good health, and with no ailment unlike most people her age. So far, reports say that she died in her sleep, and most everyone whose lives she touched is praying it was simply that. She deserved to leave this world free of pain or agony simply because she made one hell of an impact during her lifetime lifting people's spirits, as she did mine just watching her bloopers! It saddened me to read about her passing, and as I watch clips and clips of tributes to her. Just goes to show how beloved the woman was, and how she appealed to people of all ages. Betty White has lived her life, and lived it well. She was given that time (99 years) to use all of her talent and skill to fulfill a purpose, and that is to bring joy to people and to learn the most basic of values so we can each be good human beings. Thank you, Betty White, for the laughter and the love that I hope we, who adored you over the years, can emulate. Lead image source https://media.nbcchicago.com/2019/09/betty_wordup.jpg?resize=640%2C478