Goodbye Blanche...again.

Just over a year ago when my first car died I was devestated.  Blanche, my 1990 Subaru wagon was my best pal, and giving her up was one of the saddest things I had had to do considering it was just a piece of metal with no real soul or spirit to speak of except to me.

Today we mourn another Blanche, or at least the lady who embodied her.  The namesake of my old car was Blanche Deveraux of the 80s-90s sitcom The Golden Girls.  Jokingly because the car was old and gold and I said if she must be those things then she should be the slutty one, but more seriously because I loved that show, I loved that character and mostly I loved the actress who portrayed her.

Today Rue McClanahan passed away in the early hours of the morning due to a massive stroke.  She is the 3rd of the 4 ladies to pass off of this scene but for me the most close to home.  I loved to watch Rue in the movies she made as well as old reruns of Mama's Family, Maude and of course The Golden Girls.  When I was in elementary school the GG's came on as I was getting home.  Being a latchkey kid I let myself in, made a snack and watched these four women who could have very well been my grandmothers and learned what true sitcom was all about.  In college they came on at 11pm which is about time for a study break in the midst of all-nighters and their laughter filled the spaces of every dorm room I ever inhabited.
For a lady I never met, and only really knew through the characters she portrayed, she was quite like family and I will miss her.  The greatest consolation being of course that when I am sad or just in need of a good friend I can turn on the tv, flip around on the channels a bit and usually find Rue, along with Estelle, Bea and Betty whenever I need them.
For now however, it is a very sad day for those of us who grew up in tv land.
Good bye Rue, and to you and Blanche, thank you for being a friend.