I was woken on Saturday to hear the sad news.

Normally I would lie in bed late on a Saturday morning. Not this Saturday.
From 7am I was trawling the net - aghast.

Gary (Arnold) was my number one childhood hero from as early as I can remember, four years of age I think.... and even though I, like many others, had forgotten about Diff'rent Strokes during the 90's the image of Gary Coleman never failed to bring a huge smile to my face. He was a living legend to so many people across the globe. I just hope to God that he truly knew just how special he was to those millions of lives he made such a positive impact on.

Life dealt Gary cruel blows for his entire life and yet so many people who embraced him as a child scorned him later at a time when a star really does need their fans. I can only pray that he is finally at peace and looking down at us all smiling.... giving us all a great big "Whatchu talkin' 'bout!"

Your presence shall be forever missed and your absence felt for always.

Our thoughts are with your family, friends, and the millions of us all who lost a little bit of ourselves on Friday, May 28th 2010.


God bless you always, Gary Coleman.

You brought happiness to us all.

Gary died a lot like my dear brother who died in '04, in some instances.

They both suffered a cranial hemorage, they both were sick, but just didn't know how much, but except in one circumstance;

Gary trusted no one except his wife. My brother made friends with EVERYONE the minute that he talked to them.

My brother also had kidney problems, but they resulted from him being a diabetic and being an alcoholic.

Gary didn't drink that we know of. In time, Gary withdrew more into himself because he at times felt as though the world was a cruel place and so many people wanted to pry into his personal life.

I can see those greedy tabloids next week when Gary's death becomes the stuff of front-page news. They'll say things like;

1. Gary drank himself to death.

2. Gary was a spouse abuser.

3. Gary had more hidden health problems than his fans even knew about.

4. Gary was a controling dominatrix who bossed his wife around!

5. Gary knew that he was sick & dying, yet he flatly refused to do anything about it so that he'd be alive today.

6. Gary was a drug abuser.

7. The rise and fall of Gary Coleman.

The list will go on & on!

I say that sadly, and even though he's not with us now, that they should let him rest in peace. He's in a better place now, and yes, he IS looking down on us.

R.I.P. Gary.

You may be gone from us now, but you're still with us in spirit.