Lucille Ball: The One and Only

Lucille Ball was incomparable. She was one of the most inspiring, one of the most glamorous and one of the most loved women of our time. She was born under the astrological sign of Leo, on August 6, 1911. When Lucy first started in show business she used to tell people she was born in Lake Chautauqua, New York. It seemed more impressive than simply saying she grew up in Western New York. Lucy always had her eye on fame and fortune. She grew up poor but a very happy child. She instinctively knew she had a gift. A gift of what, she wasn't sure, but in her heart, she knew her destiny would be great. She began modeling in New York, in the 1930's. Lucy was always very beautiful and had a unique flair that came as naturally as her gift for comedy. She was of a rare breed. The kind of woman, women adored and men lusted after.

She had an ironic need to be loved and decided on a profession early on that would lead to constant personal rejection. Becoming a comedic actress would be her greatest public accomplishment and eventually her realized dream. It definitely came with plenty of hard knocks and she was fired from more than a couple of musical projects. Repeatedly, she had heard it would be a wise decision for her to return to her home state and raise a family. As many also born under the sign Leo know, it only pushed her harder to succeed.

Lucy was a very shy kid. Obviously, she cured herself of this and took the bold risk of moving to New York to find her fame and fortune. Of her many early jobs, Lucy modeled for a woman named Henrietta Kanengeiser. A woman who owned a very famous dress shop in New York's lower east side. There, Lucy discovered what it was like to rub elbows with high society. There was no turning back after that. She dated rich eligible men and wore the finest clothes.

Eddie Cantor, a famous Hollywood actor, once complimented Lucille on her ability to put aside her glamorous modeling talent in favor of her being able to take comedic risk. Something, that we all know now, was like a second skin to her.

Lucy eventually met Desi on the set of a movie called "Too Many Girls", during the 1940's. Their courtship was a whirlwind, as brief as it was passionate. Something, that always came through crystal clear to the audience, during their brilliant "I Love Lucy" days. Their marriage was blissfully witnessed in front of the world. They made you feel that love was possible no matter what imaginary boundaries you felt existed then. A true Hollywood romance at it's finest.

On a personal note, I loved Lucy as much as millions of others had and always will. To me, she represents a warmth, a unique charm and an irresistible spirit that could never be forgotten.