Happy Birthday, Norma Jean!!!

I almost forgot!!! Today would be the 81st birthday of Ms. Norma Jean Mortenson. For those of you who are unfamiliar with her work, she's an incredible woman who overcame many obstacles in her life including abandonment from her father & growing up in foster homes, yet still managed to become probably the most well-known actress of all time. However, she tragically fell victim to her own addictions & passed away at the age of 36. Oh yeah, she's better known as Marilyn Monroe.


It's interesting to think of an American icon like Marilyn turning 81 years old...because she is forever immortalizes as the vibrant woman in her thirties. Many of our icons are remembered in a similar way. James Dean, Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon, John Belushi, John Candy, even people whose names didn't start with J have met their maker long before 'natural causes' could pass them peacefully. It's just interesting sometimes to wonder if Jimi Hendrix would still be touring like the Rolling Stones. Would James Dean still be making movies at 76 like Sean Connery...or would he have made the transition to producing them? Would Janis Joplin have found her 'Bobby McGee' and no longer feel the need to sing the blues? All interesting hypothetical questions (at least to me)...but unfortunately, purely hypothetical answers. Some may say that it's better to burn out than to fade away...but I personally disagree. Feel free to have your own opinion.


How about this hypothetical question? Marilyn Monroe would be 81...but can you imagine what her great-granddaughters would look like? Shazaaam!!! Anyway, happy birthday Ms. Mortenson!!!