It’s been nearly 10 years since you died, and I still miss you the most when something absolutely ridiculous happens. So many of our calls started with you saying, “Okay, so are you ready for this?”
I wish you could see what an amazing person your grandson Cooper, who’s 23, has become. He’s smart, he’s funny, he has empathy. But I know what would make you happiest—that for all the trouble I gave you, he gave it back in spades. Well played, karma.
Things have changed in 10 years. You’d be pleased that women spoke out about the industry and that marginalized communities got a voice. You’d like body acceptance. But you would also think Ozempic is the greatest thing since sliced bread.
You wouldn’t like cancel culture. You wouldn’t like celebrities not being able to laugh at themselves. You’d say, “God, would everybody lighten up? We’re entertainers!”
You would like my fiancé, Steve. He’s kind, and he gets me. But I also know that if you weren’t dead already, you would die to know I’m getting married again. Still, you would like the ring!
I still hear your voice all the time. Especially when I’m about to get upset, I so clearly hear, “Oh Melissa, please just stop. Get over it.” The world has gotten scarier, though. You’d be disappointed by a lot of things happening. But as hard as it is to find things funny right now, if anyone could find a way, and point out the absurd to make people laugh, it would be you.
HARRY BENSON; INSET: FRAZER HARRISON/GETTY IMAGES