I was 11 years old the first time I ever watched I Love Lucy. It was an all-day marathon that counted-down the top however-many best episodes, and with each passing episode, my fascination and intrigue grew stronger and stronger. Where had this show been all my 11 years on Earth? Many hours and many episodes later, I went upstairs to my room and began composing a new entry for my diary. (You know--the one in the spiral-bound notebook that has flowers, peace signs and "Private: Do NOT read! This means YOU!" written all over the front cover in black magic marker.) My diary entry read something like this:
Dear Diary, I just watched an I Love Lucy marathon, and Lucille Ball is the BEST! I LOVE her! She is so good and so funny...she is totally my new hero! I want to be just like her. Everything about the show is perfect. I just can't believe how good she is!!!! She is brilliant and I LOVE this show! I love, love LOVE her!!
And thus my love for everything "Lucy" began. Now, according to my sisters (who take pleasure in affectionately teasing me on such matters), I am "obsessed" with Lucille Ball. I would like to take this opportunity to denounce such an unfounded accusation. I mean, just because I have the entire I Love Lucy series on DVD, all of the newly restored The Lucy Show and Here's Lucy seasons (which are currently available, that is), several Lucille Ball movies, about 17 I Love Lucy/Lucille Ball Barbie Dolls, and a signed, personal check of Lucille Ball's (as well as some other, less noteworthy memorabilia) doesn't make me obsessed....does it? (Then again, people who are obsessed proabably don't know that they are, and if this is the case, I suppose it would make me look like a rather suspicious candidate...)
So, all this got me thinking. Few things come along in life that leave a truly lasting and meaningful impression. What is it about Lucille Ball that is so special, so fascinating, that she continues to touch and inspire me with the same intensity that she did when I was that 11 year-old girl newly introduced to the artistry of one Lucille Ball? What is it about her that makes her so transcendental to remain the favorite of millions across both time and culture? Just why do we love Lucy?
Dear Diary, I just watched an I Love Lucy marathon, and Lucille Ball is the BEST! I LOVE her! She is so good and so funny...she is totally my new hero! I want to be just like her. Everything about the show is perfect. I just can't believe how good she is!!!! She is brilliant and I LOVE this show! I love, love LOVE her!!
And thus my love for everything "Lucy" began. Now, according to my sisters (who take pleasure in affectionately teasing me on such matters), I am "obsessed" with Lucille Ball. I would like to take this opportunity to denounce such an unfounded accusation. I mean, just because I have the entire I Love Lucy series on DVD, all of the newly restored The Lucy Show and Here's Lucy seasons (which are currently available, that is), several Lucille Ball movies, about 17 I Love Lucy/Lucille Ball Barbie Dolls, and a signed, personal check of Lucille Ball's (as well as some other, less noteworthy memorabilia) doesn't make me obsessed....does it? (Then again, people who are obsessed proabably don't know that they are, and if this is the case, I suppose it would make me look like a rather suspicious candidate...)
So, all this got me thinking. Few things come along in life that leave a truly lasting and meaningful impression. What is it about Lucille Ball that is so special, so fascinating, that she continues to touch and inspire me with the same intensity that she did when I was that 11 year-old girl newly introduced to the artistry of one Lucille Ball? What is it about her that makes her so transcendental to remain the favorite of millions across both time and culture? Just why do we love Lucy?
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