Meditation Read by Cary Grant

Iconic Cary Grant would be 106 years old today.  The Pink Flamingo simply sees the late British actor, who was Ian Flemming’s version of the perfect James Bond, as the perfect man. ( sigh).  In the biographical Cary Grant, a Celebration of Style, by Richard Torregrossa, I found a “meditation” written by Grant, p. 162-163. 

Now Lord you’ve known me a long time

You know me better than I know myself

You know that each day I am growing older and may even grow to be very old. 

So meanwhile please keep me from the habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion.  Release me from trying to straighten out everyone’s affairs.  Make me thoughtful, but not moody, helpful but not overbearing.  I’ve a certain amount of knowledge to share, still it would be very nice to have a few friends who, at the end, recognize and forgive the knowledge I lacked. 

Keep my tongue free from the recital of endless details.  Seal my lips on my aches and pains; they increase daily and the need to speak of them becomes a compulsion.  I ask for grace enough to listen to the retelling of others’ afflictions, and to be helped to endure them with patience.  An embittered old person is a constant burden and a bore. 

I would like to have improved memory, but I’ll settle humility and an ability to capitulate when my memory clashes with the memory of others.  Teach me the glorious lesson that on some occasions I may be mistaken. 

Keep me reasonably kind, considerate and genial.  Please give me the ability to see good in unlikely places and talent in unexpected people.  And give me a chance to tell them so, Dear Lord. 

3 thoughts on “Meditation Read by Cary Grant”

I absolutely love this, and love that man!  Watching Turner Classics over the years, we’ve learned so much about Cary Grant.  Like the way he donated his entire salary for the mega-hit Arsenic and Old Lace to the British war effort (Cary was a Brit).  And other wonderful and surprising things.  He was a great patriot, smart and clever, and a marvelous actor. 

Watching him with Grace Kelly in To Catch a Thief never gets tiresome.  North by Northwest is another favorite and probably at the top of the list is The Bishop’s Wife. ( TCM reports that the original casting plan had Cary Grant’s and David Niven’s roles reversed… which seems like sacrilege!) 

Anyway, thanks for this.  The meditation is just like Cary.  He prays to be thoughtful and considerate… and the meditation itself is a gift of loving concern to all who read it. 

BTW – did you know Ian Flemming based 007 on Cary Grant, and that Grant was his idea of who Bond should be.  Talk about shaken, not stirred@

SJR

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

SJ Reidhead (aka The Pink Flamingo) is a writer based in New Mexico.  The author of two published novels, both westerns: Dust Devil and The Second Mrs. Earp and two published works of non-fictions: TRAVESTY: Frank Waters Earp Agenda Exposed and A Church for Helldorado, Endicott Peabody's 1882 Tombstone Diary.  One of the leading authorities on the life of Wyatt Earp and Tombstone during the Earp years, she is writing a series of murder mysteries set in modern day Tombstone.  The author is also working on a book about fashion in the Wild West.  When complete, there will be over 2100 unpublished antique photographs dating from 1855-1910. 

The author's work has appeared in Wild West, True West, Blogcritics, and The Tombstone Times.  Recently the author has had to deal with a father who succumbed to Alzheimer's Disease.  This is leading to a book dealing with the frustrations of dealing with the frustrations of the disease, finance, legal, health-care, and things no one bothers telling families about it.  A portion of the book will contain entries from a blog she kept, detailing the struggle with her father's AD.  She is also working on a murder mystery series set in modern day Tombstone and Cochise County.  Several books of essays on Christian living are currently in edits.  A book of essays and revisions of articles about Wyatt Earp has been completed and will include her latest work detailing her theory about the murder of his second wife, Mattie. 

SJ Reidhead has been involved in Republican politics since she was 'a little kid'.  During the Reagan years she was a lobbyist working with various non-profit organizations who were attempting to salvage NASA and the American space program after the disastrous Carter years.  In spite of ups and downs, and numerous disappointments, politically, it is obvious the only political hope for this country is via the Republican Party.  Along with politics she is an opera fanatic, has been known to stalk baritones to the point of being a baritone junkie, and loves baseball. 

The Pink Flamingo went on line on October 4, 2005. 

THE PINK FLAMINGO STORY

It started out as a joke.  During the seven years I worked with the girls of my parish, leading a youth group, one of the things that I stressed were manners.  Part of having manners, the way I see it, is to know how to set a proper table, host a party, cater it, and clean up afterward.  I was fortunate enough to have a group of very talented girls in my youth group.  They learned how to plan for, and execute large church functions, very properly.  During one such function I noticed there were several incredibly tacky pink flamingos sitting on the table.  Knowing the girls were up to something, I said nothing.  A few months later they did the same thing at a function I was hosting at my home.  I said nothing.  They had a birthday party for me.  More pink flamingos appeared - and a joke was born. 

Thanks to the girls, all of whom are now grown, I have a collection of pink flamingos.  It has become an ongoing joke.  When I began working on my political blog, I realized the only possibly title was The Pink Flamingo!