Paul Newman 1925 - 2008

I woke up this morning to the news that Paul Newman had died.  I still remember the first time I saw him acting ("The Sting").  I was a young child so didn't really 'get' the movie but have since watched it, and others of his, many times...always in awe of his enormous talent.  I think that's why it was so strange for me to suddenly see his face show up at the supermarket.  It didn't take long, however, for me to understand that his talent wasn't only on the silver screen. He was also a warm, generous man and has donated all profits from the food sales to charity. My (older) children and I were lucky enough to see that side of him up close and personal.  

There was a farm in Westport, CT that we would drive by on the weekends.  It was always a highlight for the girls when we'd stop to watch or feed the animals. One afternoon, while we were along the fence line, I noticed Nicole had started chatting with a couple who had pulled over.  Being the over-protective mother that I am, I hurried over to make sure these people didn't drive off with the little girl who was trying to climb into their luxury auto.  While in the middle of my apology I looked up from wrangling Nicole and locked on to those legendary blue eyes.  That's right...it happened to be Paul and Joanne.  You're shocked at how casually I use their names?  Well...that's just how they introduced themselves as they laughed and smiled at the girls.  It was a short-lived exchange but, even to this day, I recall what lovely people they were.  They weren't super-stars in that moment...just a couple who stopped to watch some little girls have fun with some animals.  We stopped at that farm dozens of times after that.  We never did see him again (though we did find out his house - and Martha Stewart - lived just up the street) but that encounter will continue to be a fond memory for me.