Sweet dreams, Bea Arthur

There's some people you just can't imagine ever dying. They're just too larger than life, so dynamic, so singular, so indomitable. People like Bea Arthur, who died today of cancer at 86. HOW can Maude or Dorothy Zbornak be dead?! Repeats and the swift passage of time are starting to chip away at my sanity, because when I catch THE GOLDEN GIRLS on today, I can't quite grasp that they last aired 17 years ago next month. And it's been sort of jarring to see The Ladies aging in other public appearances since the show ended. Bea did NOT look good lately. Then again, she was in her mid 80s now. Sigh. It all just doesn't compute. She really, really was one of the greats, and it bothers me that it seems she's not getting the media coverage of her death like she should. What an incredible gift to make people laugh. Thank you, Bea. A terrible loss, but your withering stare and vicious sarcasm will live on.