Oh, Patrick Swayze. You did keep the guests happy.

Goodbye, Patrick Swayze.

It makes me sad that you are no longer pachenga-ing on this planet, that the man who made me look past tight, shiny pants to appreciate chiseled abs is no longer with us. I hate to wave farewell to Johnny Castle, who stands beside Danny Zuco, and was among the first to ignite the pangs of desire for bad boys with good hearts and deliciously greasy hair.

Thank you for giving me the words -- "No spaghetti arms!" -- that I have remembered in every single dance class I have ever taken and for giving me the scene that inspired first-prize lip-sync greatness with Jeff Barlow at the youth group talent show when I was a sophomore in high school ("Sylvia?!" "Yesss, Mickey?" "How do you call your loverboy?" "Come here, loverboy!"...it begs a reprise.)

Thank you for making me believe, realistically or not, that good girls can catch the eye of flashier boys (even if it involves breaking rules or being seen in a gigantic bra in the rear view mirror), that true love can overpower the time and space continuum, that marriages can outlast all the impossibilities of Hollywood.

Wherever your soul has gone, Patrick Swayze, know that you will be missed. I pray that your tired body is free to dance and sing and ride horses and waves and whatever is freest and fine. I hope that you have found that it is true: That it is amazing. And that the love inside, you really do take it with you.

Here's a great YouTube retrospective of the best work of a man who looked best in gauzy light.

Comments

[HR Girl @ bigjobsboard]

When I heard it on the news I cried. He's a good man. I thank him for all the romance moments. May he rest in peace!