An Old Man's thoughts on Grief - 1D Edition
Today is my 50th birthday. Less than 24 hours ago I saw the news that a 31year old deeply troubled man died in a tragic way. It was through Liam Payne that I was able to make some great friends on here, such as @thisiskatsblog, and find a community of people who actually helped me through a very difficult time. Liam was 3 years younger than our foster son.
It occurred to me this morning that for many 1D fans this is their fist taste of something that those of us of a certain age have started getting used to: the mortality of idols. At the age of 16, Liam became a god to millions of adoring fans, and while his followers diminished over the years, for many he was still the god of their formative years. And now god has died, and with him a piece of the youth he helped to form.
I've been through it many times in 50 years: Robin Williams, David Bowie, Michael Gambon, Donald Sutherland, and the list goes on (and keeps on getting longer!). When gods die it remind us of our own mortality. For many today, this is the first time their mortality is a real thing in their life. Sure, maybe their have been other deaths - pets, grandparents, other relatives, etc. - but those could be rationalized away. But this, this one is going to stick.
All this is to say - no, to BEG - please be kind! Liam wasn't a god; he was a very troubled and flawed human being. There are decades ahead to discuss his flaws and possible crimes. But for right now, in the soul of many of your friends both real and online, their god has died and for the first time in their lives they are realizing that they will inevitably die too. This is scary as hell the first time. But it will pass. Grief will pass. Fear will pass. But if you chose today to be cruel, that cruelty is the only thing in the world that is truly immortal.
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