Like his character Johnny in “Dirty Dancing”, Patrick Swayze did not walk away without a fight. 

Almost two years of battling pancreatic cancer.  Not giving up that easily.  Having the determination to live on, as long as there was life to live.  Working through it all.  That’s courage.  A lot more courage than most people have.

I want to share this personal memory I have of Swayze.  Not from having ever met Swayze but from having had the priviledge of meeting someone who worked with Swayze.  I once met the producer or director (can’t remember which he was) of the movie “Dirty Dancing” (his name Jeff Hayes is actually the first name you see in the credits at the end of the movie; Jeff went on to do work on “Law & Order”).  I actually met him at a funeral of a distant relative.  This was in the early 90’s and we had been told by a family member many times before of Jeff’s having worked with Patrick Swayze on “Dirty Dancing”.  So of course a few of us had to ask him the obvious question:  “What is Patrick Swayze like”?

I remember Jeff telling us that Swayze was a great person to work with, he was very dedicated and hard-working. 

I recalled that statement after I learned Swayze was sick.  So I guess I wasn’t too surprised by how long he lived after his diagnosis. 

I looked back on what I had posted on this blog in January shortly after I saw Swayze’s interview with Barbara Walters and I want to repost part of that blog posting here:

I don’t usually watch much TV.   However, the other night I did make  a point to take an hour and watch Barbara Walters’ interview with Patrick Swayze.

When I was through watching I couldn’t help but feel so inspired by this man’s strength and desire for LIFE!  Here is a guy who is dealing with one of the worst kinds of cancers a person can have, he has no idea how much longer he has to live and he is living, DOING more than most healthy people I know.  If only we ALL could be as determined as Swayze to LIVE life to its fullest, day in and day out.  Think how much we would accomplish!

He made a good point when he stated “we’re all going to die”.  That is so true.  So why shouldn’t we all LIVE while life is still there to live it?

I’m sure if Swayze hadn’t committed himself to his project “The Beast” he wouldn’t have been sitting there talking to Barbara Walters.  His desire to do that TV show is a big part of what has kept him living.

Whether it be two minutes, two hours, two days, two weeks, two months or two years to live..we should all try to get out there and live it.

May we always remember him for his strength, his talent, and his courage.  Patrick Swayze may have passed away today but his movies and music live on forever…RIP