8 months ago, our longtime and dear friend, Michael Goldberg came backstage at the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills CA. He has been courageously struggling with brain cancer for 15 years, and has well out-lived the doctors grim prognosis. Hes not a comedian, but is one funny and fun-loving Philly boy! Golds wrote comedy movies such as Cool Runnings and Little Giants, and directed my movie, The Lovemaster. Our creative bond felt really cool too. When he began the depleting, disheartening and horrific health journey, his family & friends formed a supportive Team Golds. Since he is such a wonderful and generous friend, it was simply what all of us had to do. He inspires me in so many ways, including sparking me to form Laughter Heals. Laughter may not completely heal us (we have a movie were doing to examine this), but one thing is for sure - even in his darkest days during this cancer odyssey, laughing remained a key to his will to live. Without the prospect of joy and community, why do we wish to go through our pain? Yesterday, Golds passed on. He leaves a legacy that will endure. I will surely juice my efforts to finish this film in his honor. Profits will be used to invest in our dear friend, as he had a number of dreams he wanted fulfilled. He gave of himself in numerous ways. We are very close to funding, so if you want to chip in, CONTACT me! Time to step up and make a difference, doing so with the knowledge of him smiling with us all the way. His body might not be here, but his energy will endure for a lifetime! We used to watch the Oscars at Mark Pogachefskys house together, so now the dream is to accept the Oscar for our Doc and yell his name from that stage. One cool message I received after news of his death was from my 16 year old son, Justin, who was the subject of a theatre show I wrote in 2000 that played in LA. Although Golds had just began his cancer struggle, I will never forget how he jumped on board to assist with my project. The script of the show was mostly about fatherhood. Golds and I shared our experiences in being new fathers together. Our personal & professional collaborations made me a better man. Justin texted me yesterday. He has been there with me for this whole process with Golds, often accompanying me to hospitals, aftercare facilities and even events I organized for Golds to have joy. Justin wrote how proud he is of the friend I am. He mentioned how he watched what a friend is supposed to be. This is when I began to cry. This is what makes me so happy, to know that two Philly boys friendship bond is caught by our children. Pretty cool... Add to this me watching his family be with him through thoughtless struggle, and it gives us all hope that unconditional love should be our primary purpose in life. To all of his relatives and friends who stepped up, I respect you SO much. Thank you! Will miss his unique character, especially all the calls that began, Shoeby Dooby Doo!....Love you, Golds!
Posted on: Fri, 03 Oct 2014 22:38:57 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015