I've had a week to process the death of Ralphie May. It hit
me like a freight train. Not because I was such a fan of his work (I was, and am, a fan), but because
he was the same age as I am. And he died. Of cardiac arrest. I know he made a
living making fat jokes and laughing at himself, but I wish that someone had
been there to encourage him to live a healthier lifestyle, like I was lucky enough to have. He
probably surrounded himself with enablers, those who would rather give him what
he asks for rather than what he needs. Those who would tell him what he wanted to
hear, rather than help him face a tough reality. From personal experience, it’s
not a fun conversation to endure, but seeing a loved one end up in
the hospital with oxygen tubes (if you’re lucky) or in a casket (if you’re not) is even less fun
to endure.
In the weeks leading up to his death, he was suffering from
pneumonia and at his last performance, he couldn't walk up the steps leading to
the stage. When you have to exert that much energy to do so little activity,
there will be difficult times on the road ahead. I know. I remember those trips to
the mailbox that had me short of breath. Life is tough enough as it is, why must
we make it harder on ourselves by not taking care of the one thing that will be
with us through our entire lives: our bodies?
Contrary to what society tells us, we don't have to be
skinny, but we should be healthy (BTW, skinny people can be unhealthy, too!).
Please, all that I ask of you, my friends and family, is to take care of
yourselves. Drink water, move throughout the day, do other things that help you
stay in my life longer. It really hit home when I thought about where I could
be if I hadn't been encouraged to live a healthier lifestyle. If Ralphie May's
death can cause just one person to live healthier, than his sudden loss will
not be in vain. His fans, friends and family will feel that loss, but I hope we
will all learn from it, as well.
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