So, every year, I take January 8 off and I celebrate the life of Roby Starns with his mother. We celebrate his birthday, too, but this day...it requires special treatment. Both of us, on this terrible, terrible day, need something to say "This man is not forgotten." On the planet, on this day, if no other day, two people are remembering the life of our beloved.
Roby was not perfect - far from it. But there was a light in him that shone so brightly - sometimes I thought I should look away. I was a moth to his flame. I don't idealize him - there were many things in our relationship that needed fixing, that might have been different if he hadn't gotten HIV when he was 19 years old. I like to think that if he had lived, we would have worked through some of that.
Anyway, I miss him. I know I always will. I'm ok with it - I have had a lot of time to get used to the idea.
Thanks to all my friends out there who remember him, remember his name, remember that he was important to me. It means the world.
Here is a photo of Roby in the AHS production of "Brigadoon" in the "Go Home to Bonnie Jean" number.
:-)
ReplyDeleteJudi
I am so glad that you remember him with such passion and ferocity.
ReplyDeleteIt makes perfect sense to commemorate his passing, in whatever way you do, and I hope you always continue to celebrate him, his life, and his friendship.
I choreographed this show . . . and it was such a joy working with Roby during his high school years. I went looking for him recently, sure that I would find him among the famous, only to find that he is gone from us to the next place. I'm sorry to have never had the chance to tell him what a wonderful kid he was-- and what a wonderful man I thought he would be. I still remember the crazy prom costume you two came up with -- did you make it? one year. Rest assured, you are not the only ones who remember Roby with fondness. He had SUCH a twinkle . . .
ReplyDeleteDarva Campbell