On The Air

Chapter 35

June 2004
I have fully recovered from the loss of my daughter. But because of that it made me realize how precious life is and how I should be taking care of it .
I had finished the screenplay for our play we were writing and how it turned out was remarkable. It really captured the essence of our relationship as mother and daughter and also being close like best friends. I had talked to producers about doing a production of it on Broadway and they agreed to let it happen they just need to figure out budget costs and actors and we're all set .

This week though, the cast and I have another reunion not like the rest. We actually accepted questions from the audience and showed clips that they haven't seen probably since it first aired . We all talked to catch up and it was putting my positivity in good spirits. After the show I caught up with Harvey in the parking lot. " Hey Mr. 77 year old," I said considering he just turned 77 last week. He just smiled . " I feel great about it, I do. I wish I didn't feel so bloated or overweight but I think that just comes with age right? But you Carol look great! How're you staying fit?"
   "Hm I honestly don't know but I know my mind feels healthy so I think that's all that really matters. "
"That's great you deserve peace of mind. "

    I continued to ask about his daughters and wife, and also I found out himself and Tim were going to go on a comedy tour together which I thought sounded amazing. All I know as we all are getting older, I really hope Harvey does enjoy it the most , he deserves to love life as he's touched everyone's heart.

December 2007
Years have flown by since that last reunion. But for some strange reason I see it as our last for awhile . Harvey and Tim's your was super successful. It gathered all kinds of audiences and it was beautiful to watch Tim still able to make Harvey laugh after all these years. They've still got it . As for my play on broadway, that was a success too. I came along with Tommy and Dick and his wife to the premiere, and spoke to all the interviewers about the concept of the play . That performance was amazing and exactly how Carrie and I pictured it and she would be so proud. It ran for weeks on end I was surprised and excited for the turnout.

    A couple months earlier I had received an invite to be awarded a Kennedy Center Honor. I was shocked . Tommy was too. He said " wow, now when you get that award don't let get too heavy on you now, that you just collapse to the floor," he joked. "You knucklehead," I twisted his nose playfully.

The Night of the ceremony
I didn't really know what to expect. All I know I was near the president and sitting next to James Brown, and Tommy sitting behind me caressing my shoulder for comfort. As I saw it was my turn for my award presentation, I was stunned to my best friend Julie, waiting to tell everything. I turned around to Tommy and smiled a huge smile at him.
   After my video clips on my career were over, I started getting goosebumps. Oh my. I can't take much more of this . Until..
   
       Suddenly all my fellow comedians are coming out in my old character getup. When I saw Harvey and Tim pop up that's where I felt wow, but then Julie came out in the Starlett from Went with the Wind getup and I was gone in laughter. At the end my dear friend Burnadette Peters was the charwoman and when the whole group, along with the audience started singing along to my closing theme, I never realized it until now...I have touched a lot of people's lives and I haven't even realized it. I was on the verge of tears I was so happy as everyone was cheering for me. If I had a drink right now at this moment, I would raise up my glass and say "Here's to laughter..for saving my life ."