Happy 70th Birthday dear John, and Happy Halloween to all! (Let's face it, it just isn't Halloween without Candy).
This year the Mayor of Toronto, John Tory, has also declared it's John Candy Day, which is the most fantastic news and so well deserved. #JohnCandyDay
I mentioned last year, but I think it's worth repeating, that John loved Halloween more than he did his birthday, he could focus on others instead of himself and do what he loved, make people happy. I'm not sure what John would make of 2020, there is so much crazy stuff going on in the world at the moment, I think he would have worried about it but would have focused on those he could help. John once said, "As long as you can savour the humorous aspect of misery and misfortune, you can overcome anything" and in the main, I think that's true. For anyone struggling at the moment, please focus on yourselves and your loved ones. Focus on what you can control - not what you can't, remember that this too shall pass and look for the light because there will always be some, even if it's just a pinprick.
John's films make for a great distraction, so it's worth locking the world out for a while and putting on one of your favourites. My goto movies are Only The Lonely, Uncle Buck, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, The Great Outdoors and Cool Runnings, all these movies have a beautiful theme, it's okay to be flawed as long as you are kind, act with love, life will find a way. I think that's a great ideology, especially when we increasingly seem to live our lives on social media, just remember you don't need to compare your life to other people's, what they show you are probably the edited highlights anyway, we can all win, we don't need to be in competition with each other, look at how much we love John for being himself on and off the screen. That's enough, and you are too.
Please go and remember John today, make sure you go and watch that Candy movie, share that meme, reminisce about your favourite movie of his, send some love in his direction and I guarantee you, you will make others smile in the process.
John, I feel like this world needs you now more than ever. Luckily for us, we have a plethora of your work to keep you present.
I'll be raising a rum and coke to you later,
With love and thanks as always,
Tracey x