Superman: Remembrances

Sometimes the inevitable strikes, and more often than not we realise just how tenuous the connection is to our lives, and even more so, our generation.

Each and every one of those generations before us have had their icons, those people who, while not completely defining the era, helped give a sort of meaning to their lives. A living marker, if you will.

Christopher Reeve died today.

To many, he was probably just another actor who got big in the movies, dropped out and faded away especially after his near fatal riding accident about 9 years ago. To others like me Reeve will always be remembered as the Real Superman, on and off-screen.

Even after his accident, he continued to be bigger than life much like his Superman persona. It was as if the super hero character bled out of the screen and into real life. A staunch lobbyist of stem cell and spinal cord research and of the push for Hollywood to make more socially focused movies, I've always marvelled at his good humour, vitality and above all, enthusiasm for life.

I've tried to keep track of his major public appearances, and at each one he exuded that unspoken sense of "I may be on this wheelchair, but it doesn't stop me from living" feeling, inspiring the people who see him to live, and live well.

Maybe I'm just biased because I always wanted to be Superman (most of the kids I grew up with did, too) and he was the single best personification of the character I ever saw. In some ways he represented the best of my childhood, and hearing of his death suddenly reminds me that time inexorably moves on, and that many of the things I am familiar with are fading away.

Perhaps this is what our forefathers felt when they saw their way of life, and of their grandchildren changing. Finally here we are, getting older and the markers going away one by one.

So here's a final farewell to one of the biggest childhood heroes I had, even if part of him was fictional. Perhaps we can remember some of the lessons for when it's our turn, without having to be injured first.

Rest in peace, Supes.