I had almost forgotten how awesome the original Star Trek was. It has taken me this long following De’s passing–17 years!!–to feel capable of watching it again without “losing” De all over again…and I have no idea how long it was before that, that I watched an episode–probably decades!

 

Season One, I discovered, doesn’t play. Seasons Two and Three do, so I just ordered a used-but-guaranteed Season One package so I have the complete series in the remastered versions. They really are extra special…

 

All this Trekkin’ is priming me for the 50th anniversary Starkane Star Trek Convention in Post Falls Idaho, where I’ll be sharing the story of my association with DeForest Kelley with his fans, old and new. I’m glad I’m doing it now.  It put me back in the “fan” frame of mind and helped me realize how extraordinary my story actually is.

 

I didn’t meet De until May 4, 1968, which was at the tail end of Star Trek’s original run. Little did I know–nor could I have imagined–that 31 years later I would be serving as his personal assistant and caregiver during the last couple months of his life.  It blows me away… truly.  How blessed I was…how lucky (even as difficult as it was to go through it with him)…

 

My association with De likely will become the “loudest”/most prominent part of my legacy, I suppose… as much as I might like my writing abilities to supersede it..but I certainly can’t complain!!!  Heavens, no!   De was my biggest fan (when it came to my skill as a writer), so it’s okay!