~~Grey Gardens Wins 2010 Golden Globes~~
History had made its mark dating back to Dutch Settlers who farmed out on Eastern Long Island. Reminders still stand as there are several windmills , silent well preserved and at one time working.
The history of East Hampton was everything a wanderer could have imagined , a mix of pristine Atlantic Shore line,acres of potato fields, estates each with there own personalities. Hired as an assistant gardener on Lily Pond Lane my summers were a combination of curiosity and miles of beach .
There was one day that has changed my life , it began with my riding down a seemingly hidden road which was a public road yet not well traveled . Grey Gardens was on this road I ventured down that summer day although on that day I had never seen nor could have imagined what fate had in store for me. Grey Gardens was a name given to the property by previous owners. It seemed delphinium would not bloom successfully due to the ocean breezes , it was just the beginning of an adventure that had taken me by surprise a life within the confines of mansion named Grey Gardens, a journey in my life that touches so many as it had me when I first glanced up at the peaks of this mansion where time had stopped.
The term vintage Grey Gardens is one I use to remind myself of the very untouched ,cob web strewn , corridors, rooms that had not been entered for as many years as I had lived,finding friendship in a place unseen for years , tossed into the private lives of two of the most interesting human beings in my life.
Quickly as if we had known each other before Mrs.Beale the owner of the mansion Grey Gardens had been and was my teacher , a guardian for the then young boy, given a name The Marble Faun .Vintage Grey Gardens was so interesting that in conversation, I had mentioned to Mrs.Beale that someone beside myself would be fascinated by the very setting. It began each day with the same questions only I was too polite to ask the how and why, two such tender human beings could find themselves in such a place in time .
Gifts that we share passions we seek,each has there own voice, some may never find there voice,that was not the case with Mrs.Beale nor her daughter Edie.
There gift was song although timing was not there best ally , there spirit was such that 35 years after the documentary Grey Gardens this film had been given song and set out to the great white way. Grey Gardens a film about the private lives of Mrs.Beale and Edie who aspired to sing and dance , who knew themselves far better then anyone understood them, had made it to Broadway. The very venue that these independent woman had sought all there lives has touched countless lives . ”I must have some professional music”a quote Mrs.Beale argue when in the sun-room of Grey Gardens .
Jessica Lange has tenderly embraced through skill and soul this woman’s story,& Drew Barrymoore you have embraced Edie Beale .
It began at a mansion named Grey Gardens being a witness to this history is an honor.
Hats off to you Mrs. Edith Bouvier Beale
Edie Beale
Jessica Lange
Drew Barrymoore
forever friends
Jerry
The Marble Faun
~~Prospect~~
It is so wonderful to see Grey Gardens winning so much admiration.Every time I watch this movie again I see something deeper and learn something.These two women are amazing,ahead of their time,so full of dignity and class.They are finally winning the awards they so deserve.Jerry,you are so blessed to be part of the World of Grey Gardens.You are the one to carry on the light for them.For those who have eyes,can see.
“Rooms that had not been entered for as many years as I had lived…” My word Jerry, What a phrase! Absolutely beautiful! And you know in some way it becomes a metaphor for life at Grey Gardens on an even deeper level! Just think of all the “rooms” of the mind of both Little Edie and Mrs. Beale which had some how become closed off, draped and darkened, hopes, dreams, experiences that had all been boxed up and put in the attic so to speak never to be opened again!
I simply cannot imagine the depth of pain that each new day must have brought these women. I guess I am not alone in being completely awestruck at how in SPITE of all that they managed to live life with a song in their hearts!!!!
Utterly one of the great love stories of modern America.
Some people would focus on the clothes and the cats and the cobwebs, but YOU seem to focus on the very heart of the matter, the SPIRIT that these two women had in the face of horrific circumstances.
Thank You for keeping this blog going with your recollections and reminiscences Jerry, the courage of the Beales is most inspiring indeed, and you seem to be the only one sharing it with us so freely. Thank You!
Sean
Donna
My years at Grey Gardens were planned for me by a greater power. Having years pass when no`one was allowed entrance to Mrs.Beale mansion , was the begining of many lessons for me in being a human being. Yes the learning of how to love a person , to be human to feel the life in all ways that are human.
I simply could not imagine what my life would have turned out like if God had not introduced me to Mrs. Beale & Edie.
This day and everyday I speak in my silence to my friends , talikng to them holding a conversation. We were kindrid spirits who had lived before we had lived at Grey Gardens and still live on to this very moment.I know Mrs.Beale watches over me , I can feel her tender presence, I have for all these years.
When I visit the place where Mrs.Beale is resting I leave walnuts and peanuts, all around the area. The sguirrels and chipmunks seek out the nuts which are scattered everywhere.
They keep Mrs.Beale company until my next visit.
Donna
I love life & I love you`
Jerry that is so sweet. What a lovely way to communicate with Mrs Beale. I can’t think of any other way to be with her. We all know how much she loved animals. I am sure it fills her already bright light even brighter.
Love and Light
Donna
Jerry,
As we have been able to see through science of what the emotion love can do to the cells in our body. How its strong light hits every cell, it proves that love is the most powerful energy in the world. Someone once said, that you can go into a room full of darkness, full of hate, jeously, and sadness, and light a small candle and it would light up a room, bringing in the light, ridding of the darkness. But go into a room full of light and love, hope, faith, joy, and happiness and darkness can not change the light, because the light is to strong. That is how strong love is. The two Edie’s loved one another deep down to the core of their souls. Together with their dreams they created in their world a door to their voice. To be in that time and space, has given you a space in their hearts that will live for eternity.
Light and Love
Donna