Today is the birthday of one of my favorite actresses, Lucille Ball.
I love Lucy! And not just the show, although it is my favorite sitcom of all time. No, I love Lucy herself for many reasons. I have been reading about her, watching her, and learning about her since I was a little girl.
Most of us grew up watching Lucy’s show. It was always on and no matter what type of day you were having, Lucy was there to turn your day around. She was funny, sincere, fashionable, beautiful, sweet, and truly heart warming.
When I was ten years old and I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, I was scared. Devastated is probably a more appropriate word. My friends would always laugh at me because I had an “old persons” disease. Needless to say, I felt different. This was way back before the internet so there was not much information out there about this disease or anything related to it, so I was in the dark on the subject aside from side effects, treatments, etc.
I was reading a magazine one day a few years later, and I came across an article about Lucille Ball facts you may not know. I loved her, so read it. That’s when I learned she too had Rheumatoid Arthritis, and it even took her out of commission for two years. The moment I read that, I knew that if Lucy could be brave and deal with it, then so could I! This article on arthritis.about.com tells a little more about that.
After connecting with her on that, I became fascinated in learning everything I could about her. I read her autobiography, various biographies, and watched all her movies. Yes, she was even in movies! One of my favorite Film Noirs to this day is Lured which she is fantastic in!
I felt like if she were alive today, we would such good friends! She loved animals, her family, nature, and living life to the fullest. She never gave up, despite constantly being turned down again and again for jobs. She was entrepreneurial in spirit and was the first women to be the head of a production company. I connect with her on so many ways.
When my husband and I lived in California, the one thing I had to do was see her home in Hollywood, as well as her star on the walk of fame.
It was so neat getting to see the place she lived for many years.
Whenever I am having a rough day or just need to unwind at night, I always watch an I Love Lucy episode! Although I have seen them all hundreds of times, I always laugh and connect with Lucy time and again.
[Tweet “Why I LOVE Lucy and not just the show”]
In the words of Desi Arnaz- “I Love Lucy” wasn’t just a title” and it definitely is more to me too 🙂
Disclaimer: I looked up some fun GIFs to add to this post and each one made me Laugh Out Loud!
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There is such value in celebrities sharing their health struggles. It does give a face to a illness but also provides hope. I didn’t know she was diagnosed with RA.
I feel the same way. Her RA wasn’t well known, I learned about it after reading her autobiography. They didn’t know much about it back then.
I did not know about her health issues. Like you I don’t remember a time I wasn’t watching her on TV.
She was definitely a big part of my childhood. RA wasn’t a very well known health issue back in the early 1930s and 40s so I was surprised to learn that about her as well. She talked a little about it in her autobiography.
I grew up watching her show too. I didn’t know she was diagnosed with RA.
It is not very well known about her. I read about it in her autobiography and she went in to a little detail, but it was such an unknown disease back then, most people didn’t really know much about it.
Hi Alexis – Wow, I didn’t know Lucy had RA. All I really knew about her was her “I Love Lucy” show, she had red hair, and seemed like a smart and funny lady. I only watched half of her shows… I may go check out more information about this woman… Thanks for the lead/heads up!
P.S. Wasn’t RA formerly known as Rheumatic Fever? I remember the “heart dropping to the bottom of my stomach” feeling when the dr confirmed I had RA – in 2012. I, too, was devastated with this news. Each day is a blessing from God, and each day I can move about are additional blessings.
Hi Laurie! She was a wonderful lady, I have many of her biographies. I can recommend some to you that you would really enjoy. It was known as Rheumatic Fever..they didn’t know much about it back then which is why they classified it as “arthritis” when technically it isn’t the joint, it is the synovial tissue which can even be around organs. It’s funny how much they have learned about it over the years! You are absolutely right, each day is a blessing…we just have to live day by day 🙂 I hope you have a wonderful afternoon! And it’s almost Friday! 🙂
We love Lucy at our house. I did not know she had RA. Brave lady.
She was definitely a brave lady and such an inspiration!
I love when we can connect with someone who is or has gone through siimilar trials. So happy this icon has done this for you. I will think about you now every time I watch a rerun.
I love that too! It is so neat to find inspiration in others like that. That is so sweet! 🙂 Have a wonderful day Michelle!
How neat that she was able to inspire you so!! This was a touching read! I have to say, I haven’t seen many episodes of “I Love Lucy” and have always meant to give it a watch. I love old, sweet comedy shows like that. (The Dick Van Dyke show is still one of my faves.) My parents just never really watched Lucy so I missed out on those episodes growing up. After reading this I hopped onto my Hulu Plus account and favorited her show so it’ll be handy to pull up and watch sometime soon! I’m sure I’ll enjoy it much, so thanks for sharing! 🙂 xo – Brenda // Chatting Over Chocolate
It is seriously the bet show ever! I can just think of an episode and LOL!! I love old shows like that too, such a simpler time. Thank you Brenda, have a great weekend!
I love Lucy too! She was so funny and classy and before her time. I loved the show and her as a person. I had no idea that she had RA, amazing.
She was definitely before her time. It is so neat how 60+ years later we can still relate to her 🙂
Loved Lucy as well. So nice to know some truth behind her. Amongst the grown-up crowd surrounding my then child self, there was much speculation when she “disappeared”. Most of which was not flattering or uplifting, as I recall. Visiting you this week from Motivation Monday. Feel free to visit back anytime.
I love learning about her! She was such a neat person. Thanks so much for stopping by! I would love to visit you back 🙂
She was a pioneer in so many ways and a class act through and through. She truly was a great lady.
She definitely was! We was a wonderful role model and inspiration for women everywhere.
Hi Alexis! I’m visiting from Roses of Inspiration. I saw your post title and had to visit. I Love Lucy as well. In fact, I just watched again a bunch of episodes on the weekend while I was doing chores around the house. I don’t have to sit and watch cause I can hear it and I can picture it (seen them all many, many times) and I always have a laugh. I remember hearing someone say one time that they were impressed with her humour. She said, “I’m not funny, I’m just brave.” I thought how true that was. Can you picture yourself doing all the things she did on her shows?! She brought laughter which is good for our physical bodies, emotionally, and mentally. Thanks for sharing! Have a great week! Diane
Oh me too! I can just read about an episode, or hear a quote, and just die laughing! I have heard that quote from her too, and it is so right. I admire her bravery when it comes to all the comedic stunts she did, and she pulled them off perfectly! Thanks so much for reading Diane, have a wonderful day!
I love Lucy too! I watcher her every morning on the Hallmark Channel…sometimes several in a row if I am not working! Life back in that day was so simple it seems. She was truly one talented lady and her kind of comedy was truly a gift!
Great post! Have a great week 🙂
You are so right, life back them was so sweet and simple. I sometimes wish things were like that to this day. It is such a stress reliever for me to pop in some I Love Lucy and relax 🙂 Thank you Debby, have a wonderful week!
I love Lucy too! She sure was a glamour puss in her early career!
She definitely was!! Have a great day Judy!
I didn’t know that about Lucy! My family is a big fan of I Love Lucy – I grew up watching it over and over. I love her ability to be totally glamorous and totally hilarious in the same episode! My favorite part of the show is when they all go out to California…the episode where they stop in Ethel’s hometown has to be one of the best! (Stopping by from Tuesday Talk)
http://comehomeforcomfort.com
Thanks Whitney! I know, she always was so beautiful & incredibly funny at the same time. I love that episode too. Ethel is so funny in her hometown. And when they do all that stuff in the background while she is singing, I just die! One of my favorites is “The Diet” It was one of the first ones I remember seeing when I was little and to this day, it still makes me laugh my heart away! Thanks for stopping by to read today!
Yes, she sure was a funny lady, and rather gorgeous looking as well. I always enjoyed her shows but have never seen her in a movie.
Diana
She was definitely beautiful! Her movies are so wonderful too, you should definitely check them out if you get a chance! Thanks so much for reading today Diana!
I Love Lucy, she was one of, if not the best female comedian ever, she always made me laugh and still can. She is a breath of fresh air. How lucky to go see her home, and share her picture, this is a great tribute.
I would love to have you stop by and share on my WW this week.
Have a great week!
Karren
I agree Karen. She paved the way for female comedians of the future. She was one of a kind. Thanks so much! Have a wonderful day!
Great post!! It’s a blessing that at such a very young age you were able to find a connection with someone. It’s always good to find something to help you deal with difficulties in your life! I love Lucy as well ;0)
That is so true Chantale! It is amazing how much courage it brings to know that others have been through what you are going through, especially when it is somewhere you admire! Thank you so much!
I too loved watching her shows when I was little (decades ago!), and still do!
After I graduated from HS I wanted to meet her. I was on this mission while visiting LA for the 1st time from NY. I remember going to her house & trying to climb up the stone wall to peek over. I thought she wouldn’t mind since she did this in one of her California episodes, with, I think, Gregory Peck. I didn’t see much, a pool I think.
Then I rang her doorbell (there was no gate to her front walk in 1979). A butler answered thru a little peep whole door and said she wasn’t home.
But 2 years later I finally did meet her, while having lunch at the Beverly Hills Hotel! I got her autograph, and told her how I climbed her wall. She smiled & was pleasant, even though I interrupted her meal. It was a once in a lifetime chance, and I took it. (Heavily urged on by my mother). That was so long ago, but her autograph is still hanging in my closet where I see it everyday.
Cathy that is such a great story! How wonderful that you got to MEET her and get her autograph. Wow! If she were still with us today, I would have done the same thing when I lived in California!! That is just amazing and what a wonderful memory to cherish! Thank you so much for sharing that with me 🙂
I really enjoyed reading this post. Lucille Ball was by far one of the best comedians/actresses of all time, IMHO> I grew up watching her show at night with my family. I have some of the seasons, and some days, I just need a good dose of “I Love Lucy”. I love seeing the picture of her home! I should read her biography sometime. 🙂
She absolutely was the best comedians of all time! You’re right some days, you just need some Lucy to pick you up! You should definitely get her biography! It was so neat to see things for her point of view 🙂
Lucy was a remarkable and lovely lady. This post was simply delightful, my friend, and I’m very glad you shared it with Roses of Inspiration. Have a beautiful week!
Thanks Stephanie! She was such a remarkable person and such a wonderful inspiration! Thank you sweet friend, see you soon! Hugs!