The news is out, and names have been named. I don't want to talk about any of that, but I do want to talk about Corey Haim. It's been 10 years since we lost him. You know what really makes me sad? On a day when we should be remembering some of the good things and the happiness that Corey brought us, what are we remembering today?
Is this all he was, a victim and a drug addict? Are these the only things that we should remember about Corey Haim'? A mother lost her son. A sister lost her brother. I can't even imagine the grief Judy Haim went through on that day and in the years that followed. No parent expects that they will outlive their child. It's always the parent's hope that their child goes on to experience love and happiness long after they are gone.
When I hear all of the stories of Corey Haim, one thing consistently stands out. This was a boy who loved his mother. His mother loved him. Everything didn't work out so perfect in their lives, and maybe mistakes have been made. You're certainly going to find no shortage of people pointing fingers given the way Corey Haim's life has been portrayed during these past 10 years.
What of the boy who loved sports and played hockey? What about the boy who wanted to get into acting and delighted us with some of his earlier movies such as Lucas, A Time To Live and Silver Bullet? The boy who went on to make big box office hits such as The Lost Boys and License To Drive? The boy who won awards from his peers and critics dubbed one of the big stars to watch for in the future? Respected film critic Roger Ebert was very high on the future of Corey Haim.
We can talk about where the story went after the 1980's, but what of the man who still had so much love in his heart? What about the man who had an artistic side. He loved to paint. He loved to create music. The man certainly got knocked down multiple times in life, but that's not the whole story. What about the man who kept getting back up and fighting? What about the man who pursued his passion of acting and was well on his way to a comeback in Hollywood when he tragically passed away?
People are going to say their things. One thing we love to do on social media and feel we have a right to do is to take shots at each other. We feel we can say some of the meanest, most disgusting things to each other on the internet, and these are things we'd never say to somebody's face. Corey Haim becomes an even easy target. People can say what they want about him, and he's no longer here to defend himself. He's no longer here to tell his story.
It's been 10 years, and let's not forget one of the most important things to remember. Corey Haim had family, friends and fans who loved him. The fans may never have met him, but he brought them joy with his acting. His family and friends knew him and loved him and no longer see his smiling face everyday. I know that there are bad things that happened in his life that maybe have to be remembered, but those things should not be what define him and his legacy. Corey Haim was more than just a victim and somebody addicted to drugs. He was a human being who brought love and happiness to so many people.
This is the way I will remember him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. It is my hope that should they decide to tell a proper and complete story about his life, they get the help and resources they need to do it right. They are the ones who loved him and knew him best.
