Monday, April 8, 2013

With Sadness


I have never really been one to be "star struck".  But my first memory of wanting to be like a star, was  rushing home from school to watch Mickey Mouse Club and Annette.
I loved her singing and dancing and her sweet smile. I especially loved her acting in "Annette" and "Spin and Marty" on the Club.
I wanted to be just like her.

As I became a teenager, Annette did too and her "Beach" movies with Frankie Avalon were my favorites
I loved that she was always the "good girl"
Funny thing is, I was always teased by friends that I had Annette Funicello hair. When I was younger, her natural curly dark hair was much like mine (or mine was much like hers)
Then as a teenager, I used the big rollers and had a flip, again much like Annette's

I know she had several song hits too, but I especially remember "Tall Paul". The tune is going through my head now
In 1964, some friends and I went to the Long Beach Auditorium in Long Beach, Ca. where I grew up, to see  Paul Anka, Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon sing. The only time ever, I remember being one of those "screaming" teenagers at a concert.

Later, I was saddened to find out she had MS. She worked hard at raising money for her foundation
The Annette Funicello Research Fund for Neurological Diseases.
I read somewhere that she thought the Lord wanted her to go through the disease so she would understand and help others through it too.

October 22, 1942  -  April 8, 2013


I was suprised to find out she was 4 yrs. older than I am. I always thought she was the same age.


This is a really different kind of post for me.  I think as I get older, things that bring back memories of my younger life mean more to me.  Then it is like a chain reaction and I remember other things I thought I had forgotton. Okay, I'm getting old...I'm rambling.




God is Good!!
Life is Good!!

4 comments:

Suzanne said...

I think most of us from that age group looked up to Annette. I too rushed home from school to watch MMC. She died just a few miles from us here in Bakersfield. Thank you Annette for being such a positive role model to so many young girls.

Creations By Cindy said...

I know I was saddened to see this on tv last night. Broke my heart! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

Michelle said...

She was such an American Icon.

Gail @ Victorian at Heart said...

I, too, was a big fan. I am so thankful for the positive influences we had as teenagers. It saddens me to think that our grandkids have to look real had to find moral entertainment but I guess that is why we are here to pass it down to generation to generation. Sorry, I guess I got on my soapbox this time.