Pure Imagination

I can't remember the first time I ever watched Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory. I just remember it being a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I've watched it countless times. As a little kid I was blown away by all the candy and magic that came with the factory. I longed to visit a place like that, equipped with a chocolate river and all! I loved how sweet Charlie was, I laughed when Violet turned Violet, I wanted to try an everlasting Gobstopper. I was terrified of that ride on the river, and I used to fast forward through that part. I knew that in order to be rewarded as a kid, I couldn't be greedy or selfish like the other characters in the movie. I even loved Mr. Wonka himself, for as sarcastic and sometimes scary as he was.

I continued to love the movie through adulthood. I appreciated things differently. Like how close Charlie and Grandpa Joe were and how the movie showed the importance of family. That if we treat others well, and do the right thing, good things will come. That we should be grateful for every moment, every experience, and everything we have.

But above all of these things, the biggest take away from Willy Wonka is this:

 If you want to view paradise, simply look around and view it. Anything you want to, do it; want to change the world... there's nothing to it.

That was always my favorite part in the movie, when Mr. Wonka is singing this song. And maybe I didn't fully understand the words when I was a kid, but as I got older I sure did. That song is one of my all time favorites. I am brought to tears nearly every time I listen to it. It's so simple, but so beautiful. Paradise, as we know it, is right here. Right in front of us. And if there's something that needs to be changed, we have the power to change it. How amazing is that? Our minds, our imaginations, are really a beautiful, powerful thing. They can give us hope, they can give us ideas, they can give us power and confidence.

I often have conversations with God or my guardian angel. Sometimes, I doubt that these are real. Am I just making it up? Is it just my imagination? When I asked this question to a spiritual director, her response was "Did God not create your imagination?"

That was the only answer I needed. I no longer doubt the power of my imagination. As the song states, there is no life I know to compare with Pure Imagination.

When news of Gene Wilder's death broke a few weeks ago, my heart broke right along with millions of other people across the globe who were inspired by this movie or other work that Gene Wilder did. I'll always think of him as Willy Wonka. I'll always hear him sing the words of Pure Imagination. He made that movie what it is for me and for so many other people. I know that he had many great projects outside of this movie, but I can't help but imagine him up in Heaven in his Wonka costume, joking with kids and eating candy. Pure Imagination.

Bonus: Here is the Glee Cast covering Pure Imagination. One of my favorite covers they ever did It's just the audio but worth the listen.  :)

RIP Cory.

I consider myself a big Glee fan. I rarely, if ever, miss an episode. I know all the story lines, who has dated who, the friendships, the performances and songs. I know each actor's name in real life and a little bit about each of them. I follow pretty much every cast member from seasons 1-3 on twitter. I own seasons 1 and 2 on dvd. I love Glee.

Finn is a lovable character because he's so goofy and awkward. He wants whats best for people but doesn't always have the best way of expressing it- over time we saw him get better at that. He wears his heart on his sleeve. Off screen, Cory Monteith was a charmer. He was always smiling and joking around, he did not hesitate to show his love for his girlfriend and fellow cast mate Lea Michelle. He was just as goofy.

Those of us in the Glee fandom knew of Cory's issues with drugs and alcohol as a teen, and we knew that he was in rehab earlier this year for the same issues.

But I don't think one of us expected to wake up today and read the headlines that Cory was found dead in his hotel room due to a drug overdose.

This is one of the only celebrity deaths to really shake me up. Like, I almost threw up. I don't know if it's because I saw his face on my tv screen every Thursday for four years or if it's the nature of his death, but I am absolutely devastated over this loss.It saddens me that Cory's soul was so tortured, and yet he seemed so happy. It just shows you that you never know what people are going through. I know that he does not have to fight those battles anymore, but I sure wish it didn't have to end like this.

Millions of people across the world looked up to him. Maybe that's why it hurts. Knowing how real Glee is for so many of us. It's a show that gave us hope, and Cory was a huge part of that. He was part of the Glee family.

My heart hurts for Lea, for Cory's family and friends and fellow cast mates. By the looks of twitter, it is obvious the impact he made on other celebrities lives. He was, truly, a wonderful young man.

I also break for the young fans. I'm almost 26 years old and extremely shaken up and saddened over this loss, I cannot imagine the pain and confusion of the teens. If I could, I'd invite every Glee fan over to my house so that we could all hug each other. I hope those kids know- you'll be okay. I promise. Glee lost a family member, and you lost someone you love and admire, but you will be okay.


Glee fans, <3 and="" believing.="" don="" hugs.="" p="" stop="" t="">Glee cast, all my prayers to you as your grieve the lost of your friend and "brother".
Lea, I have no words other than all the love in the world is being sent out to you today.
Cory, you really were a beautiful person. May you rest in peace. Thank you for your bravery.