Prince passed away yesterday. My husband texted me and asked if I had heard the news.
His joke landed flat.
I told him to quit joking because it wasn’t funny.
Especially because it wasn’t a joke.
I grew up in the height of Prince’s celebrity, and followed his evolution as an artist. I lived in Minneapolis and in Chanhassen during his rise to stardom, so I’ve absorbed exposure to him through the air, through the water. A couple friends and I used to try and discover his Paisley Palace in the backwoods of Chanhassen, thinking we could catch a glimpse of the mysterious rock star.
You can’t live here, especially having been through the 80’s, and not feel some kind of hometown pride about him. He changed his name to a unpronouncable symbol as an act of defiance, people. You don’t just do that without earning props. His talent was legendary and his dedication to Minneapolis was undeniable.
These are my people y’all.
People come out to honor Prince with singing.
Death comes to us all, doesn’t it.
Too soon, too soon.
Yeah, I’m feeling my inner Minnesota girl today 🙁
It really does hurt, doesn’t it?
This is perfect. Poignant and yet filled with warm pride for what he meant to us. I heard someone say, “He was ours.” That’s it, exactly. He stayed here, and we adored him for it, and his artistry grew us all.
That’s so good , Kelly. He stayed, when his talent could have led him to the coasts and we’d feel like we were grasping at him by former association. But instead, he stayed, and he was ours. I love that.
Thank you once Tanya again for writing what I’m feeling!
Lynn
Don’t we both wish it was about something else, Lynn! Thank you for stopping by. I always appreciate your comments.
I did not grow up in Minneapolis. I started listening to Prince when I was in middle school. I found out about Prince’s passing through a tweet.”Death comes to all” was my thought too. Death is such a big reminder that we are all one step away from eternity So sobering.
I’m visiting from FMF.