So long Joan

by Eddy Aguilar Saba

When I moved to the states permanently, I was only 16 years old. A tiny little baby, an unknown, an innocent little bird, learning how to fly. And, indeed, I was flying all over Los Angeles, where I established my first nest.

A friend, Sean, from my first college the Pasadena City College, was my first friend whom at the time invited me to go see a, not so unknown, stand up comedian called Joan Rivers. She was going to perform at the local Pasadena city Park, a yearly event that takes place up until now. And yes, to go see her back then was for free.

I clearly recall everyone sitting on the grass facing the park auditorium. A crowd of all ages. Everyone was laughing out of their lungs. Non-stop, for about one hour and a half laugh, laugh, laugh. Back then, I was a Peruvian kid with a very broken English. I had no idea what Joan Rivers was saying. But I was laughing. Her outfit, her face, her movements, her eyes, her hair and the fact that she was all over the auditorium, was just hilarious. The name of that energy at that park I called it now “just laugh”.

Since then, I have followed Joan Rivers career. I admire courage in people. And yes, she had courage.

A remarkable career I will never forget.

So long Joan.