The mold was broken when Audrey Hepburn was born

By: Robert Stedman

    Childhood crushes were as common to me as diaper rash to a baby. Let's see--there was the innocent Olivia Newton-John, Linda Carter in that skimpy Wonder Woman suit, those Italian features on Alyssa Milano, and that cute little 7th grade brunette. But then, I matured and wanted to turn that crush into something more meaningful.

     During a dreadful winter flu experience, I decided I would educate myself on the "classic" actors and actresses. Through many trips to Blockbuster, I finally found what I was looking for. I became completely enamored with the most angelic, doe-eyed legend that ever graced the movie screen.  Audrey Hepburn was born with royalty and it surrounded her like a Halo. "From the womb to the tomb," she spent her years helping others. As a little girl she risked her life day in and day out playing messenger for hidden allied soldiers during W.W.II. It was her work as ambassador for UNICEF that sparked the nation with an awareness of the world's starvation disasters. The final chapter of her life was devoted to "hands on" care for the hungry. Audrey stated that this was the only time she would ever use her celebrity status. Her compassion was untouchable and many people thank her for that!

     We all see the innocent face she brought to the movie screen. It's even quite fitting that she received an Oscar for her very first starring role in Roman Holiday opposite Gregory Peck. In a time when the leading ladies were voluptuous, Audrey had the allure to draw all the attention to her delicate, waif appearance. No matter how many fans drooled over this actress, she accused herself as being "funny looking." That's just ridiculous! It would be very appropriate to close with the poem she read to her children during there last Christmas together. Soak this in!  "For attractive lips, speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day. For poise, walk with the knowledge you'll never walk alone....  People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed and redeemed and redeemed. Never throw out anybody. Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm. As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others." --Audrey Hepburn

     At Audrey's death in 1993, these words from Elizabeth Taylor say it best--"God has a most beautiful new angel now, that will know just what to do in heaven."