Ride Like the Wind

You never know who you're going to sit next to when you move to Los Angeles.

I arrived from Logan airport to the City of Angels at the same time they hosted the Olympic Games in 1984.

Like many who gravitate here, I had big dreams and didn't know a soul. In a town where so many can so easily forget what they really came for, I found myself on that fateful day, sitting next to someone who clearly knew his own heart, and had every intention of sharing it with the world...

He would go on to get the part. The film was Dirty Dancing. The man was Patrick Swayze.

I never forgot the kindness with which he greeted me, and years later, when fate would again bring us together, sitting next to each other at a dinner party in Los Angeles, I reminded him of when we had originally met and how in his actions he had taught me that it didn't matter whether you got the part at an audition -- what really mattered was acknowledging those who were seated with and beside you.

When he and his wife Lisa made their labor of love film, they asked me to sing a song they had written and it amazed me how even as a house-hold name, he was as kind, gracious and humble as that young man I had sat next to years before.

A couple of months ago, Lisa invited me to their ranch and i got to see Patrick once again. He was obviously going through the battle of his life and even in this painful stage, he still possessed a bright and beautiful light.

My brother Donnie, who always has a camera with him, was also there, and although at first i hesitated, i decided to ask Patrick if we could take a photo together before we left the ranch.

He graciously agreed, and as we hugged I thanked him again for all he had so freely given, knowing very well I might not ever see him again.

Most of us may never know the heights of the great successes Patrick sailed in, but in this brief and fleeting life, I am grateful I got a glimpse of a star that shined so bright even before his dreams came true, and managed to shine even brighter long after they had passed.

Sometimes, it"s not where we go that matters, it's who we make smile along the way that really counts, and I believe that the millions of people whom Patrick made smile will keep forever the memory of that beautiful heart he came to share, and his spirit will now ride like the wind...for eternity.

 

 

Comments

[Skinspa Paravano]

Jimmy, this was amazing, just like you! It is a great story and beautifully written.

Its always nice to see great things come out of MA besides Weetabix.
You are an amazing person that I am grateful to be friends with.

Fluff

[joelklee]

Jimmy,

That was beautifully written.

Thank you.
Joel

[terrymason]

Beautifully said, Jimmy. Angels do walk among us... I count you among them.

[Tricia-Brennan]

Jimmy -poignantly written. Your comment - "it’s not where we go that matters, it's who we make smile along the way that really counts", really hit me. It is so important that we consider the contribution we make with our hearts and not just the level of our performance or appearance. Great reminder - thanks.

[Daniel Bronstein]

JIMMY - Beautiful piece. Truly made me feel like i knew him a little bit. Touching in every way- the good only go out like this. Such a shame, at the same time he gave us so much. Ciao buddy- db

[Marrvelous]

Someone once gave me some wonderful, and it turns out, very truthful advice: accomplishing goals is not as important as the relationships you build in the process. Those relationships will outlive and outshine the goals. You've eloquently proved this...

[cynthiacruzla]

Thank you for sharing that beautiful story Jimmy. We will miss Patrick Swayze and his grace!!!
May he rest in peace.

[Kymberly Whitaker]

Jimmy, that was amazing.You write as well as you sing..... hummmm
As a fellow equestrian; i know he's riding in heaven!

[Lauren Marie 84]

Thank you, Jimmy. You have made us all feel as if we too could've enjoyed a special moment or two with Patrick. Perhaps Patrick never viewed himself to be as stunning as we all do, because he knows and lived the fact that we are all unique and fantastic in our own ways. If we only live our lives in pursuit of our dreams as Patrick did, acknowledging that we are no better than any other, nor worse, perhaps we too can be remembered in the same way he will be...as a true inspiration.

[Rob Seltzer]

Jimmy, very well stated. I enjoyed your post.

[Zac414]

Jimmy - thanks for sharing... It's funny-when I was just six years old my parents took me and my sister to Park City, Utah to ski. Though I have no recollection being as young as I was my parents tell the story of how we stayed at the same hotel and shared a hot tub with Patrick Swayze. They said he was conversational and just a normal, nice dude. He will be missed.

[JeffKey]

Oh Jimmy, your heart just shines through! I hope that I'm as fortunately as Patrick when I cross to the other side, to have someone like you write such a beautiful tribute. Many Blessings!
Jeff Key
PS I hope that you're invited to post again here at "the" post. I love Huff Post! Did I tell you my play is going 0ff-Broadway in the Spring?!

[Michael Hidary]

Jimmy-A great message that we should all internalize regardless of what "success" is achieved.

[TheMercenaryGroup]

I have never met Mr. Swayze, but I like countless others feel like we do because of his creatively rich and diverse body of work. His talent was obvious and undeniable, but now through your kind and gracious words Jimmy Demers I know him as a human being..thanks for bringing me one step closer to such a beautiful spirit.

[Patrick-Reynolds]

Well said, Jimmy. I rememember Patrick and his wife Lisa from my acting days. We were in Bill Sorrell's (Milton Katselas) acting workshop together, two years before Dirty Dancing. One night he and Michelle Pfeiffer got up on the tiny stage and performed a scene from Noel Coward's Private Lives. One time we took a road trip in a group, he on his motorcycle; we'd all go out for drinks after class sometimes. Sad that he smoked -- I was a smoker myself in those days. Antoher time he tried out my gym. Smoking and alcohol destroyed my RJ Reynolds family, to be sure. I remember Patrick fondly, and he will be missed.