August 17, 2007
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There are a lot of cool people in Los Gatos, and some of them are actually famous. You can go to Wikipedia or other places to get a partial list of the high-profile people who live here or have lived here. I tend to avoid naming names on this blog because I figure most of those folks would rather just try to live a normal life and be somewhat incognito.
Yes, most of the famous people – I believe – really just want to be treated like regular folks (at least most of the time). Fame can be a great thing, but it can also be a terrible thing. It’s terrible when you cannot enjoy a restaurant meal or just go shopping “like a normal person” because people won’t leave you alone. It’s also a downer when you aren’t really sure who your friends are because so many just want to hang on your coattails because you’re doing well and in the spotlight. It is a nightmare when paparazzi have you in their sites and microanalyze your every move or people follow you in your car because they’re curious or who knows what.
On the flip side, fame can offer some perks – it can be fun at times, but perhaps most of all, it can help those who have it to do a world of good when they bring attention to an important cause.
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And that’s the case with Peggy Fleming, the famous Olympian skater, who resides here with her family here in The Cats. I always smile to see her around town, and I always leave her alone. Our sons went to preschool together, and attended the same high school, though I don’t think they really knew each other then (and I’m sure she would not remember me). So over the years, I’ve seen her here and there and thought it was neat that she was and is a woman with no “airs”. Just another nice mom around town, but one I respect a lot.
Obviously, there’s a lot more to her than what I’ve mentioned so far. Just now I read a neat article about Peggy Fleming Jenkins and all of this is just a lead-in to that. The article discusses her battle with breast cancer and the work she does in that arena now (as well as many other things, professional and personal, such as work with her and her husband’s wines).
So have a read, and be inspired. There are good people all around us. Sometimes we just need to have the spotlight shine on them a bit so we know about it, and hopefully can be inspired to do some good ourselves as well.
