Roger And Chaz Ebert's Beautiful Marriage, In His Words

[warrior1]

http://www.buzzfeed.com/summeranne/roger-and-chaz-eberts-beautiful-marriage-in-his-words



In a blog post from last year, Ebert wrote passionately about his wife Chaz and their true-life love story. They met in the early '90s, when Roger spotted her while out with mutual friends, and he was immediately attracted to her, finagling a way to get her card so he could invite her to the opera later that week. They wrote emails to each other, which he still had saved two decades later on an old computer, even though he could not access them. He proposed marriage in a café in Italy, and she said yes. He wrote about how she cared for him during his sickness, calling her "the great fact of my life."



"This woman never lost her love, and when it was necessary she forced me to want to live. She was always there believing I could do it, and her love was like a wind forcing me back from the grave."

"Her love letters were poetic, idealistic and often passionate. I responded as a man and a lover. As a newspaperman, I observed she never, ever, made a copy-reading error. I saved every one of her letters along with my own, and have them encrypted on my computer, locked inside a file where I can't reach them because the program and the operating system are now 20 years out of date. But they're in there. I'm not about to entrust them to anyone at the Apple Genius Counter."



"She was there every day, visiting me in the hospital whether I knew it or not, becoming an expert on my problems and medications, researching possibilities, asking questions, making calls, even giving little Christmas and Valentine's Day baskets to my nurses, who she knew by name."

[Raine]

1. Beautiful ... THANK YOU for posting this. nt

[RainDog]

2. k&r n/t

[abbeyco]

3. Such a beautiful love story - something to treasure

RIP Roger - I hope you enjoy the 'forever after' that awaits you.

[longship]

4. I will gladly R&K every Ebert thread!

This one is beautiful in so many ways.

[MotherPetrie]

5. K&R

[uponit7771]

6. love

[ChazII]

7. Beautiful. n/t

[fishwax]

8. I've had the chance to see them talk to and about each other

at Ebert's film festival in Champaign, Illinois. I've never met them, or anything, just observed, as I've said, how they interacted in that public sphere and talked about one another. They seemed to have a very genuine and powerful connection and relationship.

Last year one of the films they showed was Citizen Kane, with Ebert's commentary track playing. Ebert had said that he wanted to hear his voice at the Virginia Theater one more time, even if it was from an old recording. After the screening was over, it was all she could do to introduce the post-screening round table, because she was completely overcome with emotion. It was rather moving.

[joesdaughter]

9. Thanks for posting n/t

[Boomerproud]

10. Everyone needs and deserves this kind of love.

RIP Mr. Ebert, and strength to your wonderful wife Chaz.

[Moostache]

11. My condolences to Chaz today and all the days ahead.

To know someone only through their public life and works and feel their loss is but a mere fraction of the loss that is experienced by those who knew and loved with them most intimately and daily. I agree wholeheartedly with Roger's assessment that the only thing worth living for is the generation of happiness in others and yourself. Chaz may be comforted in the future by the realization that she was first in the mind and soul of a man who inspires so many to pause today and remember him.


May the memories of times spent privately carry you on in the future and warm your heart forever more.

[KatyaR]

12. I wish I could give her a hug tonight.

They were so very good together.

[kimbutgar]

13. Reading this made me tear up.

So much love for each other. I only wish everyone can feel that type of love. The world would be a better place. So many people hating each other about abstract things when all they only need is love.

[southernyankeebelle]

14. What a lovely love story. It's wonderful his wife's love gave him the strength to live longer.

[G_j]

15. Beautiful!

thank you

[Blue Owl]

16. K&R

[Gregorian]

17. What a beautiful man. I feel like crying.

I dislike posts where people gush and get quivery and blubbery. I can't help it, but when I saw him with Robert Osborn, and he was sick, and yet he was still full of cheer, I had to examine just what kind of person I am. He, sick, happier than I.

The man is an inspiration. If only people could all live up to this standard.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

20. really.

I was thinking of him this morning while I was chanting and thought about what a great inspiration he is....I think I will consider him a mentor.

I kinda was hoping he'd live forever. Wish he didn't have to go. (I'm a biig blubberer... )

[Gregorian]

21. I think it's biggness.

Inclusiveness. Intelligence is part of it, but doesn't suffice on it's own. Kind but strong.

The same thing happens sometimes when I'm watching movies. I saw The Farmer's Daughter the other night. This girl is ripped off on the way to the city, and her honesty and goodness cause her to transcend her loss and eventually make her way into being elected to Congress. She had the same simple goodness as I see in Ebert. I wept through most of that film. And it's not even that kind of film.

I don't know.

Anyways, it's good to see you again, Blanch!

[BlancheSplanchnik]

22. hey Gregorian!

How are you? I'm so sorry I took forver to reply. I'm bad that way, so don't take it personally!

Yes, so about Roger Ebert....I agree. So intelligent, well read....amazingly well read...funny and genuine. He exemplifies real human decency and integrity.

[Gregorian]

23. Haha. I was surprised when this thread popped up again.

It's funny because I have put out a whole bunch of messages to people, and gotten nothing in return. I've been quite frustrated to be honest. Not about this post, but other stuff. So it's great to have you reply.

I can't complain. I have a good life. I just discovered someone from my college days. And it's great. But he is spending FOUR hours per day on public transportation. Another friend is getting up at 3am to go to work. Both have great jobs, but I am so glad I can live the way I do. I quit my job 20 years ago, took a chance in real estate, and haven't looked back.

What were we talking about? Oh yeah, a very nice man.

Thanks. I needed to laugh.

[loudsue]

18. My very deepest sympathies go out to Chaz Ebert.

I'm sure she is grieving the loss of Roger, and their love together. What a beautiful story.

[IrishEyes]

19. I met them once.

It was at a theater benefit. Very nice people.