Three dreams manifest, transition but will never be lost...

As I child I dreamed of being a famous entertainer. I would stand on the front of my mother’s vacuum using the handle as a pretend microphone and sometimes lip-sync and sometimes belt out my own tune. I begin to dream even bigger when the likes of Michael Jackson hit charts and I watched this cute young boy become an American Icon. He served as a great catalyst for me to dream my own dreams, and I honor him for that.

Then of course there was watching Charlie’s Angels. There beauty and grace under pressure and their ability to pull it all together and still look fabulous catapulted my dreams of becoming an actor. Farrah was so beautiful and I still remember that classic photo I had of her taped to my bedroom wall with her feathered hair and beautiful eyes lulling me to sleep at night. She served as a protector for me during troubled adolescent times. Somehow her beauty and strength transcended the screen and I am grateful for her support.

Now we all have dreams of winning the lottery. But to take it one step further I think we all can relate to the joy and excitement and watching someone win the lottery. Of course I would embrace winning the lottery and having Ed McMahan knock on my door was always in the back of my mind. But for Ed, it seemed he was more consumed with laughter and joy than anyone I know in the limelight. He laughed with Johnny Carson and he played with some of the most famous celebrities. And he did it all just by being, himself; a fun-loving man with a great sense of humor. Thank you, Mr. McMahan for being a light in this world.

It is amazing how three people that symbolize such basic American dreams of success, joy and kindness have all transitioned within such a short period of time. Today I reflect on their genius, their talent, their humor and their inspirational and imperfect lives.