Day: May 21, 2005

She’s 65 today. Much of our family will head to her house to celebrate. Most of her four sisters and two brothers will be there, plus an assortment of cousins and their kids. My brother Kevin flew up from Philly. Mom and her siblings were orphaned by the time she was seven, and she’s become the central, stabilizing force that unifies the family.

People find strength in themselves through her. Many would benefit by emulating her. As a single mother of three boys, she worked incredibly hard with both a job and college, doggedly pursuing education as a path to a more fulfilling life. I remember during high school, she’d be at the kitchen table studying every night long after I’d gone to bed. When I graduated high school in 1976, Mom received her Nursing degree. All the while, she provided a good life for her three boys.

Those years were compelling evidence of the value education and hard work can bring. I’m incredibly proud of her, and thankful for the example she provided to me growing up. Oh, and I’m really thankful for that time she let me stay up to watch Batman… Happy Birthday, Mom. I love you.

Frank Gorshin passed away this week. Mr. Gorshin played the Riddler in the original Batman TV series.

I remember well Wednesday January 12, 1966. ABC had really hyped their new show and this seven year old was fired up, although I must have been something else, as “fired up” had not yet made the lexicon.

My mother was letting me stay up for this “late” show and it was in COLOR! The show was incredible with computers, utility belts, secret bat caves, the batmobile and the Riddler. In later shows, I would experience Catwoman, an image that shaped my view of feminine magnetism that lingers to this day. (Note: Maybe I should open a Freudian wing of the blog…)

Twenty three years passed and the film version with Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson hit the screens. Again, I was as fired up as that seven year old, the only difference being that I didn’t watch the movie in “feety pajamas” like in ’66. My wife had no interest in going, so I went alone. Just me, a popcorn and coke in the 7th row center. Life was good and the Tim Burton film blew me away. It’s funny, and maybe even ironic, but “Batman” remains one of Kyle’s favorite movies and he wasn’t even born when it was released.

The little bat around 1997…

Needless to say, we’ll be there when “Batman Begins” again on June 15th.