I have many printed images of Audrey including this picture, a mug and small dish. I hope to also read the biography written by her son.
She is someone who I greatly admire because of her dedication to charity, her love for her children, her iconic personality and of course the fact she features in some of my favourite films including Sabrina, Roman Holiday and Breakfast at Tiffany's.
Audrey lived a fascinating life. For instance, she moved to Netherlands after her parents divorced. While she was on holiday in Arnhem, Hitler took over the town. She fell on hard times during the Nazi occupation - suffering depression and malnutrition.She was fluent in English, Dutch, Spanish, French and Italian. This was of great benefit to both her careers as an actress and humanitarian.
Audrey helped in her humanitarian work with UNICEF, and a charity was set up in her name after she died. However, she always wanted to help. She saved the life of her friend, Capuone who attempted suicide on several occasions.
Her legacy continues to live on in her films, advertising (her image continues to be used world-wide), charity work and she is one of 15 actresses to have won Triple Crown of Acting (Oscar, Emmy and Tony awards). She believed in growing old gracefully, and did not follow the fashion of plastic surgery. This is why she chose her last film to be Always in 1989. She did it for the opportunity to work with Spielberg after enjoying watching E.T with her son.
I feel like there is so much more to say about her than that, and so much I feel like you could learn from someone like her. I will leave you with something she said that resonates with me:
"Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, it's at the end of your arm. As you get older, remember you have another hand: the first is to help yourself, the second is to help others."Anyway, that was a little longer than meant! I have instead decided to write a letter to myself (well for future me).
The Letter
Dear Jodie,
I write to you in the hope that I can insert wisdom. Although I am younger and know you're probably much wiser than me, I know I have the ambition to keep you on track of important goals.
Family life is not something you can control. You can only treasure those relationships you have with close friends, parents and extended family. You can't plan for meeting the right person and marrying them, or having a family of your own. Therefore you can't schedule to have children before 30, but I hope you have. I hope you have found someone who treats you well, and doesn't put you through s**t.
You can control your career and what you do. I hope you pursue that career in fundraising and make a real difference to the lives of others. I hope it's something that you can recognise you do well. I hope you realise what your other talents are, and enjoy being alone. I hope you take those trips to Australia and China. I hope you visit many places, and learn from the journeys you take.
Most of all, I hope you're happy. I don't care whether that means you've not achieved any of the goals you set out. While I write this, you've never had a friend or family member die; you've been lucky in many respects. The worst thing you've experienced is unemployment and a sense of failure from it.
You have spent too much time crying over many things, being upset or feeling bad about yourself. Make sure you surround yourself around people who care, love and treat you right. You will only feel worse around those who can't support you in good times and bad.
Stay happy and healthy. Most of all, take care of those who matter!
Love from,
you
xx
