I once had dinner with Terry Gilliam a few weeks after his obituary was accidentally published prehumously.
I asked him what it was like. He said it was funny. They listed everything that he had done. All of his accomplishments, the many awards, the great films, Monty Python, the brilliant collaborators, and that he read it and realized that they had failed to mention any of what he would consider the substance of his life; his children, his grand children, his friends, his relationships, even the mention of the work seemed to exclude the thing of the work itself. It was just a list of things.
I was a very young man, thinking only about a life in art, and inescapably depressed. 23 maybe? A decade later, I still think about it every day. That this guy, who had accomplished everything I hoped to, and was now closer to the end than the beginning, looked back on his life and told me that the things I already had were where the value lived. The movies were just things the things he’d done along the way.
The dinner ended and he got into a cab and turned to me and said, “I envy you.”
I couldn’t understand why and asked him.
“You’re right at the beginning.”
I don’t know quite why I felt compelled to share this but it changed how I thought about my life. It was a gift he gave me. I’d say that’s why. So now’s it’s all of ours.
Great story. My father's death made the local paper, but they managed to get my name and my sisters' names wrong and our ages too.One day I'll post my own version on here.
Thank goodness! I was searching for news of it and didn’t find anything. Doesn’t Tobias Wolff have a story about a guy whose obituary appears before his death?
I once had dinner with Terry Gilliam a few weeks after his obituary was accidentally published prehumously.
I asked him what it was like. He said it was funny. They listed everything that he had done. All of his accomplishments, the many awards, the great films, Monty Python, the brilliant collaborators, and that he read it and realized that they had failed to mention any of what he would consider the substance of his life; his children, his grand children, his friends, his relationships, even the mention of the work seemed to exclude the thing of the work itself. It was just a list of things.
I was a very young man, thinking only about a life in art, and inescapably depressed. 23 maybe? A decade later, I still think about it every day. That this guy, who had accomplished everything I hoped to, and was now closer to the end than the beginning, looked back on his life and told me that the things I already had were where the value lived. The movies were just things the things he’d done along the way.
The dinner ended and he got into a cab and turned to me and said, “I envy you.”
I couldn’t understand why and asked him.
“You’re right at the beginning.”
I don’t know quite why I felt compelled to share this but it changed how I thought about my life. It was a gift he gave me. I’d say that’s why. So now’s it’s all of ours.
What a great story, James, thanks for sharing. Minus George's error, we may never have learned it, which would have been a little loss for all.
Glad you shared. This was wonderful to read.
This is just like the story of Ivan Ilyich. Only thing is, now we know before we reach our death bed :) Thank you James.
This is a wonderful story. Thank you for sharing it.
Thank you for that. What a gift - for you and now for us.
what a great story, thanks.
Beautiful story. Thanks so much.
(also, i'm a huge Marc Rebillet fan.)
Great story. My father's death made the local paper, but they managed to get my name and my sisters' names wrong and our ages too.One day I'll post my own version on here.
Don’t worry, George. You have so much in the bank of goodwill. It protects you. Thank you for your ever-present, always-felt kindness.
well said Christiana, every word is true. Thank you George for being who you are.
Maybe it would be a fine time for Story Club to read one of her stories in celebration of her good health!
Yes, FR, that, definitely. Plus I think George owes her lunch.
That’s how adults respond to their mistakes - unlike the cancer that now runs our country. Glad she’s well
Aw I'm so glad to hear this update! What great news. To quote your new story in The Atlantic -- "Today, lost none of our number. All still here."
Ha! Good one, Bill.
In my life, you know what I call a mistake like that? Tuesday.
Amid so much truly awful news, thank you for this joyous reprieve—I bet Joy Williams is equally relieved
You just cracked me up. I bet she is relieved.
You’re a real mensch, George—sincere and apologetic. We are all human and make boo boos. ❤️
Oh I'm so glad she's alive! Thank you! She was an early (and too briefly a) teacher of mine, and I adore her work!
Reminds me of your new story.
That was very weird Schrödinger moment - and the swift kick up the butt to get on with sending her the fan mail I've been meaning to.
Thank goodness. Now please give us an update on Abe Vigoda.
Perfectly fine. :)
Well, now I know who she is! Let’s do a story of hers, it’ll be unforgettable.
Seems like a perfect time to remember the beautiful message of that old Carter Family song: Give the Roses While I Live.
https://youtu.be/4gI2AAqKs98?si=vFZpGZVEzU7scAyW
Thank goodness! I was searching for news of it and didn’t find anything. Doesn’t Tobias Wolff have a story about a guy whose obituary appears before his death?
And Mark Twain? The rumors regarding his premature demise were (and maybe still are) wildly premature.
Don't feel bad - she might have gotten a (very temporary) bump in sales!