Sunday Diva/Three From The Hip: Olivia Newton-John

Sunday Diva/Three From The Hip: 

Olivia Newton-John

In my own personal big gay church, there is a wing dedicated to what can only be described as...The True Divas. These are ones that may do many things in life, but from the moment they opened their mouths to sing they became the one thing they were meant to become: a true diva.

On such spirit... Olivia Newton-John.

British born, Australian-raised. 

A waifish voice, unlike any other, yet one that could quickly heat up to a raucous growl or the sweetest or purrs.

She was pure pop perfection, from the day she alighted upon this earth. That she would eventually be captured on film playing an enchanted muse came as no surprise to anyone fortunate enough to hear her voice.

And she was as kind as she was famous. The internet is rife with tales of how she would take time for fans, always the lady, always gracious. 

Princess Diana is the only other I can think of who shared these same qualities. 

Accomplished? Twenty-seven Top 40 hits in the US. Groundbreaking videos. One of the most beloved movies of all-time. 

An activist, she brought attention to three of her favorite causes - animal welfare, breast cancer awareness, and the ecology. Once, she even cancelled a tour of Japan to protest their treatment of dolphins.

She is gone, now.

We shall all miss her radiant smile. For it not only lit up any room she entered, but the whole world. Even the sun now seems a bit dimmer in her absence.

The gospel according to her?

Well, here are three from the hip, dropping from her lips.

The Topic: Nurturing Nature

"When I was a young girl, I was so crazy about animals that I wanted to do something associated with them, and I thought of being a vet. But then again, I figured I had to go to medical school, and science wasn't a good subject for me, so I dropped the idea pretty soon and thought maybe I could be a vet's assistant."

"I remember as a little girl I could tell you the name of the dog next door, but I couldn't tell you the names of the kids. The dog was my best friend. I love animals. They give so much to you and demand so little."

"I'm a very light sleeper. I get about six hours a night."

"I love that quiet time when nobody's up and the animals are all happy to see me."

"I feel very passionately that we need to take care of the planet and everything on it. Whether it's saving the Amazon or just being kind to those around you, we need to take care of each other and Mother Earth."

"Family, nature and health all go together."

"Nature is the most beautiful thing we have. It's better than art because it's from the creator."

Sam - Olivia Newton-John

A Little More Love - Olivia Newton-John

The Rumour - Olivia Newton-John

 And one last parting shot...

"We all know we’re going to die, but I think we spend our lives in denial. It’s extremely personal so it’s hard to put into words."

"I hope the energies of the people you love will be there... I think all the love will be there. I'm sort of looking forward to that, not now, but when it happens."

"I feel that we are all one thing and I've had experiences with spirits and spirit life. I believe there is something that happens."