So Sad. Heath Ledger Dies at Age 28

Heath Ledger
Originally uploaded by Heidi Meeley

My hubby e-mailed me that Heath Ledger had died this afternoon and my heart just sank. It had to be a bad joke, I thought to myself. Ledger had such a fantastic career, full of diverse roles and I was so looking forward to his portrayal of the Joker in Dark Knight.

It just couldn't be true.

Then I went to the internet and the first thing that popped up was the headline confirming this news. The air was sucked out of the room.

That may sound a bit odd, since I never knew Ledger personally or had any stake in his life, but you know what? He moved me. I love his work in "10 Things I Hate About You". He shined in "The Patriot" and "A Knight's Tale". His work on Brokeback Mountain astounded me. As a gal who grew up around gruff old cowboys, his work really hit close to home.

Then there is the Joker.

After seeing the trailer for Dark Knight, I have been eager to see the movie. Much of it has to do with Christian Bale, to be fair. BUT... the Joker by Ledger showed such glimmers of what I always had wanted to see that it really filled me with glee.

Know Ledger won't be here to walk the red carpet. Man.

What hits most is that Ledger was the father of a young daughter and now he won't be there for her when she grows up. That is the most unfair thing about a 28 year old passing away. He surely had many years left, and spending precious time with young Matilda is now going to be a wish of sorts that never comes through.

That just crushes me. Poor little girl.

Tonight I would like to say a small bit of prayer for Ledger and his family. When a star of this talent leaves the earth too soon, I can only question what God must have planned.

So sad.