When I wrote the date this morning, I thought of one thing: this is the day Audrey Hepburn died.
I was a secondary schoolkid and it was the first time I noticed the date of someone famous dying. I had seen My Fair Lady a dozen times and I loved the setting (the old Covent Garden flower market!), the humour, and the stunning outfits. (I wasn't discerning enough to mind her dodgy Cockney accent at that age.)
She later presented a documentary about gardens, and gardens were something that gave her pleasure and comfort. It's reflected in the flower world: She has a daylily named after her, a hybrid tulip named after her - and this short piece of film from 1990 shows her love and her sense of humour during the dedication ceremony. She also has a hybrid tea rose named after her.
The photo at the top is taken from this UNICEF article - she became a Goodwill Ambassador in 1989, and some of my last memories of her while she was alive are footage of her working for UNICEF. I saw that side of her years before I saw her Holly Golightly.
"I can testify to what UNICEF means to children, because I was among those who received food and medical relief right after World War II".
I don't know what Audrey would have made of the news in America today. I'm not as nice as she was, but I've always wanted to be a good person, and I do try to help others when I'm able to. I'll work at the hospice today and I'll donate to a foodbank when I do my food shopping. And I'll look after myself as well.
"Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, it's at the end of your arm. As you get older, remember you have another hand: The first is to help yourself, the second is to help others."
