​Going gentle into that good night

Actress Sandra Bullock's long-time partner Bryan Randall died last week at age 57. He had endured a 3-year health battle fighting ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) that he kept out of the public eye. “Bryan chose early to keep his journey with ALS private and those of us who cared for him did our best to honor his request," his family said in a note.
 
Shades of Paul Reubens (Pee-wee Herman), who died recently at age 70 after a 6 year battle with cancer. He too chose to keep his struggle quiet, without crying to the media. (Sadly, he felt required to express regret for this choice at the end, which I don't think was necessary, saying “Please accept my apology for not going public with what I've been facing the last six years. I have always felt a huge amount of love and respect from my friends, fans and supporters. I have loved you all so much and enjoyed making art for you.”)
 
You know, with social media surrounding us, it’s pretty hard to make a move without the world knowing about it. So when celebrated folks like Bryan and Paul choose to be quiet about their conflicts, I, for one, applaud: at the end of the day, we all deserve to live with the acclaim we desire, be that large on the public stage or calm, composed and collected, serene at home. And while Dylan Thomas rages against the dying of the light in his famous poem “Do not go gentle into that good night”, I’ll take Bryan’s and Paul’s approach anytime (not that I’m celebrated, of course), letting those who seek fame find it as they will.

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