The sad news has come through that she passed away today at age 80<\/a>. \u00a0As a youngster, I remember watching her on our large, wooden console television. \u00a0The hat toss into the air seemed strange against all the chaos and turmoil in the world.<\/p>\nI had no idea she\u2019d been on television before. Her first show, The Dick Van Dyke Show, was before my time.<\/p>\n
In later years I came to realize just how revolutionary The Mary Tyler Moore Show was. \u00a0A single woman pursuing a career? \u00a0In journalism? A crowd of men (all talented to be sure) playing second fiddle? \u00a0Today it seems like pittance. \u00a0But back then, in the early 70s? No graphic string of vulgarities by Samantha Bee or Chelsea Handler comes anywhere close.<\/p>\n
Maybe that\u2019s why they have to resort to such behavior, language and attitudes. \u00a0I don\u2019t know.<\/p>\n
I just know Mary Tyler Moore\u00a0was part of the cultural fabric of the time, and was as much a part of my country as apple pie and baseball. \u00a0God grant her and her family peace, strength and a portion of the blessings that she brought to her millions of fans.<\/p>\n
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let \u00a0perpetual light shine upon her.<\/p>\n