The Green, Green Grass of Home_RIP Heath

Posted about 4 years ago
This morning on my ride into work I had to stop the album I was listening to, I had to see if the local stations were discussing the horribly saddening news of Heath Ledger's passing yesterday. I still remember being in college when I heard of River Phoenix's death. I remember being distressed with thoughts of his brother Joaquin watching as he overdosed - having to make that call. Haunts me to this day.What breaks my heart the most: thinking of his daughter's loss. Mathilda will have but a few memories of her doting father; chances are she won't remember him at all. For the first two 1/2 hours, I didn't listen to a thing; I read a few posts, I did some work & I shot a few emails to a friend talking specifically about Heath's passing. Usually, by 10:30 am I've been consistently listening to music for 4 solid hours. *Not today.*I finally broke down a few minutes ago & plugged my earphones into my bluepod, putting it on shuffle. What's the first song to hit my eardrums... Johnny Cash, Live at Folsom Prison, *Green, Green Grass of Home*.Sorry for your troubles Heath. You will be missed terribly by those who knew & loved you, by those who knew of you. Thank you for giving so much of yourself in the brief time you spent on this earth. *_"Yes, they'll all come to see me in the shade of that old oak treeas they lay me neath the green, green grass of home."_*

Comments (43)

  1. wdog says I'm sure I'm making no friends today, but I find the homage being given to Ledger today is misplaced.. it strikes one as likely that this is just another in a long list of celebrities who have chosen to throw away their lives, and it's somewhat ironic that the memory of the great Johnny Cash is raised in connection with Ledger's passing.. If ever there was a man with demons, it was Johnny Cash, yet he persevered, he struggled, and he survived - the lasting legacy of his cover of Trent Reznor's, "Hurt" being a testament to that will to cherish life, even with it's pain. Raise a glass to those who fight the good fight.. dying is easy, and living is hard.
    Permalink posted 01/23/2008
  2. QueenofHell says Even if he did kill himself, he should not be sneered at for it. I feel for anyone who is in so much anguish that they feel they can't go on.
    Permalink posted 01/23/2008
  3. Lizziegreeneyes says *wdog:* You're welcome to that opinion - but I feel that this was an accidental overdose - sleeping pills can be quirky that way, especially if taken with other meds (I work for a company who produces a sleep aid) & with him jetlagged, recovering from an illness... it's difficult to say exactly what brought about his death. Regardless - there are many greiving & understandably so - he meant a lot to many people. I think maybe you should wait to voice your cynicism til after the autopsy results. I don't see him as the type of man that would take his own life - I see him as someone with demons sure (who doesn't have a few), but I also see him as a very loving father & kind soul. Johnny Cash was many times a bender away from being another lost soul on this earth... it's a _"role"_ of the dice as to where someone ends up - personally speaking. Could be living to a ripe old age, even after the years of self abuse, could be death before 30 thanks to one over dose. *Helen:* ahhh thanks luv for the interview link. I wonder how much more potent his final role will be when the film is released.
    Permalink posted 01/23/2008
  4. Lizziegreeneyes says & I couldn't agree more - when someone is in such a place as to believe that any escape is better than living, my heart crumbles for them.
    Permalink posted 01/23/2008
  5. TroyPowers says I agree with wdog. Suicide is for pussies (if, indeed, it was suicide). Still, it's sad. A mother has lost a son. A daughter has lost a father. The world has lost an artist.
    Permalink posted 01/23/2008
  6. Misstee says rumor has it there were no pills found....
    Permalink posted 01/23/2008
  7. TylerDurden says thanks Lizzie, definetely need to wait till the autopsy to start bashing his character. He is/wasn't one of those celebrities who blatantly lived their life like it was theirs to destroy, a very respectable YOUNG man with a good future...how can someone even think he would kill himself with a beautiful child like Mathilda, he never showed any kind of character flaw that would suggest he would shirk his love and responsibility for that little girl...even if he did end his own life, who are any of us to judge what he has gone through in his life??? Cheers to a great man and a great actor, and most of all, a great father. He will be missed around the world...
    Permalink posted 01/23/2008
  8. Lizziegreeneyes says I've been hearing the opposite - that there were pills left... _"Commissioner Browne wouldn't elaborate on what the pills were but said that they included sleeping pills. "There were some still left in the bottle," he said. "They were not scattered around the apartment." Called Ambien in the US, the tablet is marketed as Stilnox Down Under and hit headlines last year when a national drug hotline fielded calls from users reporting strange side-effects. Some 500 people described odd behaviours from walking, crashing cars, having sex and falling from balconies after popping a pill."_ ~ "*LINK TO ARTICLE HERE*":http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23097344-5001021,00.html?from=mostpop
    Permalink posted 01/23/2008
  9. Lizziegreeneyes says *Tyler:* Thank you ! Beautifully said - as always. I always look forward to your comments/posts.
    Permalink posted 01/23/2008
  10. wdog says ..as I commented in another post, if his death was beyond his control - anneurism, heart attack - that is indeed a tragedy, and I'll say a prayer for Heath. However, there are indications it may have been at least negligent, and I think we owe it to the survivors, the non-celebrities, the soldiers in the middle-east, the street people in our cities sleeping under bridges, the disabled and the ill who get up each day and find a reason to believe that life, no matter how painful, is worth living - to be wary of putting celebrities on a pedestal who take their own lives - either intentionally, or negligently.. ..just my .02$
    Permalink posted 01/23/2008
  11. Lizziegreeneyes says *wdog:* There's no pedestal of which any of us are speaking... certainly not for death in any way - no matter its origin. A prayer would never harm - regardless of the outcome - it's a tragedy. Just as survivors, soldiers, any individual's death is a *+tragedy+*. It doesn't matter if it's a celebrity or a street urchin or a student in college... everyone struggles with demons, & should not be judged by a fellow human being. It's just too tragic for words. You speak of Johnny Cash & how he overcame - this is true, but how far away was he from an overdose at any given time due to his drug use ?!? I guess my problem with your comments arises from your comparison of Heath to Johnny... I don't see how anyone should judge either man for their actions, however self-harmful they may have been. & certainly it can be said that Johnny was harmful of himself every time he picked up a needle & spoon. Johnny Cash's abuse was LEGEND. We have little to nothing to go on regarding Heath.... he's not documented as Mr. Cash is or Ms. Winehouse are. He's spoken about his difficulties sleeping. That's about it. Even if it's found to be an overdose - no one will ever know if it was intentional or accidental. So my question is... where does anyone get off judging another human being ?!?
    Permalink posted 01/23/2008
  12. TylerDurden says I agree with not putting celebrities on a pedestal for their deaths/suicides...any hurting person who feels all the negative feelings and want to end their lives are wired differently than most people, it's not as easy as saying, "oh well buckle up and realize life is worth living no matter how tough or rough it gets" there's a bit more to it than that, that may be true for you, but not for others, my heart goes out to them because while I lived in the horrors of drug addiction, I lost 7 friends to suicide, and I do not refer to them as pussies, and I'm outraged that someone would say that...if your mother or wife or husband or (I pray not) your CHILD killed themselves, I guran-feckin-tee you wouldn't call them a pussy... Lizzie, glad you enjoy my presence from time to time, I can truly say I regret the missed opportunity to meet you in person!
    Permalink posted 01/23/2008
  13. Lizziegreeneyes says *Tyler:* (if you're speaking of the MOGmeet in London) - it's been 4 times in 3 years I've holidayed in the UK... in the next year or two I will surely be back !!! I will be sure to let you know as soon as I do... it's not a time to time enjoyment Tyler, it's anytime I read your words :)
    Permalink posted 01/23/2008
  14. TylerDurden says same from me to you as well, very sweet you are to me!
    Permalink posted 01/23/2008
  15. QueenofHell says Well put, Lizzie and Tyler.
    Permalink posted 01/23/2008
  16. walkingthecow says it's really sad to think about his daughter. blessings go to her.
    Permalink posted 01/23/2008
  17. PopeyePete says I just dedicated a post to him today too. Im not sure if he took his own life or not but whatever it was, hes dead too soon and that always sucks.
    Permalink posted 01/23/2008
  18. PopeyePete says One more thing, if Amy Winehouse dies next week. You wont be seeing any dedications from me. Shes what I call a: STUPID CUNT. :)
    Permalink posted 01/23/2008
  19. Lizziegreeneyes says *Pat:* On this post, I will call you by your name... it is the saddest part of this unfortunate event, Heath's Mathilda has lost her father. *Pete:* Sadly - she's breaking my heart... I adore her artistry, but her self-destruction is so difficult to watch. I want her to get it together - I just have to hope against hope I guess !!! I promise to get to your post ASAP ... as in right after I hit SUBMIT :)
    Permalink posted 01/23/2008
  20. PopeyePete says Thanks Lizzie!
    Permalink posted 01/23/2008
  21. Dale says Whatever the cause of death, there are some things that we can all see as tragic. There's a two year old girl that will barely remember her daddy. There's a young woman out there that may have left him, but never really gotten over him, and is devastated by his passing. There are parents that have to bury a son, something that should never happen. there is an audience hungry for the way he filled his roles, that will have to cling to roles long gone (methinks a viewing of "A Knight's Tale" is in my near future). *That* is tragic, and that is what we feel sorrow for this day. Whatever pain he was going through (we will never know everything, nor should we), he's no longer in it. He's gone on to the "green grass of home", as was sung so beautifully above. So go hug your loved ones, and cherish this day. No matter your lifestyle, you never know when your mortal probation ends.
    Permalink posted 01/23/2008
  22. Lizziegreeneyes says *Dale:* So beautiful your thoughts and words above. You are an inspiration to me sweet brother. I am giving all my siblings ::VIRTUAL eHUGS:: right now !!! Fear not - a real hug (or a few) will be a given when we meet up in Calif. :) Lurve to you and yours *D* !!! Knight's Tale absolutely... Brokeback as well for me... his performances chill me to the core.
    Permalink posted 01/23/2008
  23. PopeyePete says Well said Dale! Thanks for that reply!
    Permalink posted 01/23/2008
  24. Sturgell says All i know is that it isn't a good habit to make to speak ill of the dead
    Permalink posted 01/23/2008
  25. wdog says ..I've no intention to suggest that Heath's death is not tragic for his family, and in part, that's my point. I have had client's who have committed suicide under some hope that their pain will finally be recognized or that their death will send a message.. which I think is a tragic fallacy. When we see so many in society struggle mightily to hold onto life against amazing odds, I think we do them a disservice if we don't make the point that it's a stupid waste when people toss the gift of life away. And while Heath's death does not, at first glance, appear to be suicide - if it were, and in the cases certainly of Cobain and Curtis and such.. well, I'll speak ill of the dead all day long. The tragic aftermath of suicide to the survivors is such that those taking the easy way out deserve no pity and no admiration for such an act, regardless of the "pain" they may have been in. Another point that while, obviously, this site itself is an homage of sorts to celebrity in the music world - it's not the "celebrity" itself that is celebrated, it's the accomplishment. It's not Bob Dylan the "person" that I seek out, but his music when I buy Highway 61 Revisited.. ..as such, I'll be the first to admire Heath's work in Brokeback or The Patriot and such, but the sort of attention we give to "celebrity" without more, is, I think, misplaced, particularly when the media gives hours and hours of attention to a death by misadventure. Heath died. That is very sad. End of story. Turn the page. On a more obvious example, witness the never-ending attention that was placed to Anna Nicole Smith, or more recently, to Brittney Spears. Heath died. That is sad. End of story - turn the page. And.. if I could be perhaps more compassionate to Mr. Ledger - this drive to examine every intimate detail and to constantly fill ourselves up with a daily "celebrity fix" is perhaps something that contributed to any problems he might have had.. he was obviously unformortable with media spotlight.. so, maybe the best legacy to him is to let his passing go with dignity and with less attention, not more.
    Permalink posted 01/23/2008
  26. Lizziegreeneyes says *wdog:* You know nothing of the _"PAIN"_ any person other than yourself deals with on a daily basis... so for you to state that you do not pity or admire those who've left the world by their own hands... it's poppycock my friend. I can’t even begin to tell you how that line upsets me… putting PAIN in quotes… it’s all relative. I haven't said I pity or admire - those are words I don't use in the case of suicide. I don't think anyone here has inferred such either. My heart breaks for his family, friends for those he loves/loved. I am so saddened by the knowledge that I won't see him grow as an actor. That's what he was. Ian Curtis, Kurt Cobain - they were musicians. They had demons I can only thank GOD I've never had to live with... I can only hope & pray that *NONE OF US* ever have to live with such pain, anguish, desperation that we can't find our way out of it. I've always taken issue with someone speaking to things they themselves have not lived/had to deal with on a regular basis. I think most of us have had bouts with some form of depression - whether long term or short term, days/weeks/years... life is a series of struggles & victories... but to speak toward what someone ELSE should or shouldn't do from your vantage point is ridiculous. Yes the media sucks - but the more people watch the shows or read the rags - the more it grows. It's a monster that gets fed on a regular basis... You are the only one capable of changing what it is you read/don’t read it – that’s YOUR choice. If you want to say he's dead end of story - why do you keep coming back to this post ?!? It makes me sad for you in all honesty & fairness. You contradict yourself each time you post a response comment. & you’ve never explained yourself on the Cash/Ledger comparison. Heath wasn't one to want celebrity, he wanted to ACT. He wanted to live his life. That's about all I can tell you, but I am speaking *_HIS_* words... not my interpretation of what I _THINK_ he might say/think. *Please... let's agree to disagree on the life & death of Heath Ledger, a man neither of us knew, but both of us have seen in some really amazing films. I wrote this post to get my thoughts out of my head – to allow others to do the same – not to question the reasons why someone died – we’ll never know… we all go sometime – that’s all we know for certain.* & on a side note - the reason the post began with a Johnny Cash song - as stated in my original posting - was because it was the first song I heard today when I turned my iPod on shuffle. It was something I wanted to comment on & think about - the world turns in ways I will never understand, but it keeps me guessing & I am in awe of each & every turn.
    Permalink posted 01/23/2008
  27. incense burning 19 times 3 says May God be with those close to him, blessings to his child, and strength to his parents propperly grieve.
    Permalink posted 01/23/2008
  28. wdog says Hmm. Well, at the risk of offending, which I clearly have done.. let me just say first, that it wasn't my intention to criticize your post or your feelings, it was more to suggest that we perhaps look at celebrity death from a different perspective where it may have been brought about by their own hand.. perhaps from the perspective of those who fight every day to hold onto the precious gift that life really is.. I think you're point in some respects is well-taken with Johnny Cash, in the sense that he may have ended his life much earlier due to self-abuse.. ..but my point is, perhaps, with dumb luck, he didn't and he fought on, and he overcame.. ..if he had succumbed to drug or alcohol abuse, my thoughts would not be the same about him as a person, and maybe that's unfair, but so be it. I guess it's sort of like the cinderella story we hear of those who have turned from a life a crime to a life of contribution to society.. perhaps throught some luck, but certainly, through effort, they overcame - does that not warrant more respect than those who didn't overcome.. even if it was not wholly their fault? I just think we don't appreciate enough those who overcome, who make the effort, who fight the good fight. Not just celebrities, but everywhere.. like Robert Ryan - a fireman from New York who risked his life to save others on 9-11, who was later forced to leave the fire department because of respiratory illness from the toxic dust that day.. like Army Staff Sgt. Hilbert Caesar returning from Iraq to run the Boston Marathon on artificial legs.. Relative to the issue of suicide.. well, I suppose I have some understanding.. I've been on medication in the past for clinical depression, I've parked myself in my car with the windows open and the engine running in a locked garage.. and fortunately chickened out.. ..and yes, I didn't follow through, so I suppose I'm not an authority on what goes on through the minds of those who actually do. But, in my periods of blackness, when there seemed no up, only down, where my mind had convinced myself that the only solution was to check out.. well, in retrospect, I was full of shit. I didn't want to do the heavy-lifting.. and I certainly had nothing close to the adversity in my life that countless others do.. And I do make my choices.. I will not watch Entertainment Tonight, or buy or read People Magazine, and do not choose to watch the ongoing saga of Brittney Spears - though when mainstream media reports all of this as "News", well, it's hard to avoid.. One of the reasons I love this site, is it's not about, "oh, I just love Kanye West's new album", but it touches things, occasionally, on a much deeper level - which is what is great about art.. and it sometimes results in people sharing enough of their thoughts to actually piss eachother off.. which, really, is a good thing. So.. Lizziegreeneyes.. thank-you for taking the time to share your thoughts on a level that we just don't seem to do enough of in society.. on a level where real feelings are expressed in a heart-felt way.
    Permalink posted 01/23/2008
  29. summer eyes says lizzie- beautiful words said about a truly talented actor. i applaud the way you wrote it up, and have handled others comments.
    Permalink posted 01/23/2008
  30. Lizziegreeneyes says Cool... I actually would agree with you on the point that sometimes we can all be surface - but even when we disagree... it's good to know we are still feeling deeply - deep enough to stand by, express & sometimes defend your beliefs/feelings. It can be upsetting sure - but I think it's good to discuss & feel comfortable in doing so... I wasn't so much offended as wishing for all of us to be as understanding as possible - those of us that choose every day to live - that's a blessing - those who choose death - it's a tragedy... but we (none of us) have the right or ability to speak for anyone but ourselves. (in my opinion) I will say I too have suffered from clinical depression in my life - I've felt there was little to no hope... wondered if we'd all be better off without the LGE... but thankfully - we both found the strength somewhere in our DNA to keep fighting. Because of this though... I still can't say a person is weak for not sticking it out... they are just different. & you are absolutely right - we as a society around the world need to look more toward those who bravely fight on a daily basis or once in a lifetime - the unsung heroes deserve their due as well. *wdog:* you are most welcome. Look forward to the next meeting of the minds ;)
    Permalink posted 01/23/2008
  31. Lizziegreeneyes says *Summer:* Thanks sweetheart !!! Your words always bring a summersmile to my face !!! :)
    Permalink posted 01/23/2008
  32. Bartleby says Heath was truly incredible in "Brokeback" - Requiescat in pace.
    Permalink posted 01/23/2008
  33. wdog says Well said Lizzie! On that we can agree :)
    Permalink posted 01/23/2008
  34. River Lethe says Liz, I was surprised to feel the loss of a man I don't really know. That's what's weird about it to me. I think it was just his ability to do his job that speaks so well of him. When I studied philosophy, the novel Anna Karenina was often used to talk about why we can feel real emotion for fictional characters. This is what Heath was becoming, an actor that makes you feel something that hasn't necessarily happened to you. And that's rare. It's what we look for when we watch films, and definitely what we look for when we listen to music. And this is the loss some of us are feeling. Yes, there are heroic and struggling people out there that we don't know that deserve accolades, but sometimes celebrities touch our lives in some way. If some see his tragic end as lack of perserverance, that's fine. For me, mourning is a selfish, but natural process. I simply mourn the loss of a person who's work I admired and that made me feel.
    Permalink posted 01/23/2008
  35. darmuzz says I can understand wdog's point that the "cult of celebrity death" is rather chilling. What some relate to on a human level becomes a media circus for others. Just this morning I was reading about how celebrity gossip magazines and wire services may already have assigned writers to prepare obituaries for Britney Spears and Amy Winehouse, just in case. The "canonization" of famous people after they die is also distasteful to me. That being said, perhaps we can learn something from people in the public eye, if only "what not to do." I have been in the shoes of Mr. Ledger's family...my ex died as a result of substance abuse when our daughter was 6...some in the family remember him in an exaggerated sainted way while others think he exemplified human frailty...all I know is that he left a lot of heartbroken people in his wake who would have loved to be able to convince him that life is worth living...
    Permalink posted 01/23/2008
  36. Mike the Knife says To compare a serious actor like Ledger (a man who had no great love for the celebrity glare but was commited to his craft) to Britney/Paris/LiLo does him a great disservice. As I said in the thread under Mark Mordue's reflections on Ledger, I believe that the death was accidental - not suicide. I suggested that it might have been a clumsy mistake by someone dealing with the darkness that he had just plumbed to play a psycho (The Joker, Batman's nemesis) in "The Dark Knight" - which, it turns out, will be his last film appearance. And it's just as he's coming into his own as a performer. So sad. To reiterate, this wasn't a party-boy or junkie screwing up. No one should need to be reminded that mental illness is actual illness and does not warrent contempt.
    Permalink posted 01/24/2008
  37. Mike the Knife says Sorry. That should be "warrant" contempt. Righteous indignation must have played havoc with my internal spell-check.
    Permalink posted 01/24/2008
  38. FluxCapacitor says This was news to me, Liz, thanks for breaking it so gently. I love that gay cowboy movie, so will always remember Heath Ledger for that brave performane. I have a feeing his Joker will be hard to watch now. And I concur with all those who believe in having respect for the dead, no matter how a person dies. The soulless comments above slamming Ledger for being a suicide case (without knowing the facts or, demonstratably, what it's like to walk in the shoes of somebody who truly feels suicidal) are beyond contempt themselves.
    Permalink posted 01/24/2008
  39. Lizziegreeneyes says @Michael: He truly was... I am not eve that big a fan of the 10 Things I Hate About You - his performance however is spot on. What a heartbreaking loss. @Jarod: Absolutely... it hit me quite hard & for those reasons you so eloquently put. Thank you for your comment... Truly well said. @Darmuzz: I sincerely don't think he left this world due to substance abuse, as Mike the Knife says above, I think it was just the wrong mixture of prescribed meds & a couple pints (sadly, for some that's all it takes - for others, it's not an issue). I just want to concentrate on all the good he's left here - his movies, his family & friends, his daughter & pray for them. Not a huge girl of prayer, but this is a case where it is a necessity for me as well. @Mike Cutlery: As always my friend in San Francisco, your words are such a comfort & a heartwarmer to read. Thank you so much. _"No one should need to be reminded that mental illness is actual illness and does not warrent contempt."_ Too true. @Colin: Thank you kind sir. I am happy for the fact that it broke the news to you gently, saddened by its content. You have such a lovely way with words... it was grand to have that here. *Thanks to all of you... it's helped me to read & digest all your thoughts & to see such support for the man we as a society have lost & for our group in trying to digest this tragedy.*
    Permalink posted 01/24/2008
  40. ketut says Just adding my 2 cents. We here can enjoy someones artistry and never know what kind of demons (self-imposed or not) that others suffer. History is full of people who have great talent who through bad choices and/or circumstances are no longer around. Cobain, Hendrix Morrison, etc. etc. etc. left too early while others like Johnny Cash persevered. And now we get Britney and Winehouse who seem to destruct before our eyes. I think that in an age where everyone has a cellphone with a camera the tragedy gets to us quicker. We feel we know these artists and every aspect of their lives is on display. Imagine if we knew everytime Johnny went to the gas station for smokes or everytime Cobain wanted a Mountain Dew that it was top news. We feed the beast that is the media, but I think we just want to understand why?
    Permalink posted 01/25/2008
  41. wdog says ..and perhaps we don't wish to pay attention to the things that really matter in life.. I mean, honestly, how many of us will spend literally hours per week reading news, watching television, trying to "learn" more about celebrities.. while spending no time at all getting to know our children, our siblings.. let alone the co-worker next to us, or the neighbor across the way. Watch Mr. Ledger's movies, marvel in his talent - but I think it's best that we resist the temptation to "stop at the scene of the accident" and indulge in the twisted voyeuristic tendancies that the media has cultivated in us. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. I have chosen to turn the channel and to pass over any article continuing to examine this passing.. I encourage others to do the same.
    Permalink posted 01/29/2008
  42. Lizziegreeneyes says *wdog:* ENOUGH already !!! Leave this post be. I will thank you to stop coming to this post. We've read your point loud & clear. Over & over & over again. I have no choice but to delete your last & any further comments as I've really had enough of your complaining. Instead of coming back to my post +again & again+ - go be with your family, friends, neighbors & co-workers - as you have spouted repeatedly on this post. *You +DO+ realize that by coming back here time & time again, instigating more & more reactions from myself & others, you're feeding the flames you so vocally wish weren't burning !* Please... +*ENOUGH*+. Don't tell others how to grieve, or deal with the loss of someone so many of us found to be incredibly talented, who seemed to be a grand father & kind person. We all deal with things differently & I would ask of you & anyone else to give all the open opportunity & respect to do as they see fit to help them understand & accept any event that affects them.
    Permalink posted 01/29/2008

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