One of the most amazing things about Star Wars is that it made us have feelings and affection for machinery, such as the “mindless philosopher” C-3PO and his trusty sidekick and best buddy, R2-D2. That’s because those metal contraptions–those Droids–actually showed us more compassion and humanity than most of the people we know! This weekend, R2 rolled onstage and proved once again why he’s so lovable in an emotional goodbye to Carrie Fisher during a public memorial service held at Hollywood’s Forest Lawn Cemetery.
The service was actually a memorial for Fisher and her mother, Debbie Reynolds. Hundreds gathered for a chance to give their final farewells to the mother-daughter duo who brought so much joy to so many people.
Debbie Reynolds and daughter Carrie Fisher.
During the service, Debbie’s son Todd Fisher said this: ‘When Carrie died, my mother decided to change her plans a bit,’ he told the crowd. ‘My mother always said to me, “I never want to go to my daughter’s funeral service. I would like to be buried with Carrie.” I didn’t know she was going to leave us that very next day and when she looked at me to ask permission to leave, she said she wanted to be with Carrie, and she closed her eyes and went to sleep. It was a beautiful exit.’
Todd Fisher and R2-D2.
Fans remember the terrible news this past January that Carrie had passed after suffering a cardiac arrest aboard an airliner. In what some call a poetic mother-daughter event, Carrie’s heartbroken mother, Debbie Reynolds, passed away the next day. Although their relationship was at times rocky, and Carrie suffered battles with drugs and bipolar disorder, the two mended fences and found comfort together in their later days. Carries’ book-turned-movie Postcards from the Edge is a not-too-veiled “fictional” account of her relationship with her mother.
Carrie’s final performance as Princess-turned-Admiral Leia Organa will be seen onscreen this coming December in Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
R2 rolled out onstage and let out some very sad, somber whirrs and beeps. We felt his loss. Both women will be sorely missed.
:*-( so very sad.