Growing up I loved Little House on the Prairie. I loved the book series. I loved that Laura Ingalls was born in the same state as I was. I loved watching it on tv, and I faithfully watched the shows. Today, as I saw the stories pop up as I checked my email I saw that Merlin Olsen had died. I was stunned and clicked on the article. It took me to the sport page. There were paragraph after paragraph about his football career, but this isn't why I loved Merlin Olsen. Then, near the end of the article that said ,"After his football career ended, Olsen began work on television as a color commentator for NBC's NFL coverage. He also dabbled in acting, including roles on Little House on the Prairie and Father Murphy"
What that is it?! I watched this man almost every afternoon and that it? Just an afterthought? I knew him as Jonathan. He was Pa's best friend. He was always there to help the Ingalls in a tough situation, or give a listening ear to Half Pint.
Though many will remember Merlin Olsen for his accopmlishments on the football field I will remember him for something else. Thank you Merlin Olsen for your role on Little House in the Prairie. You and the whole show helped teach me what a true friend is. Also, that hard work and choosing the right always pays off in the end. Finally, it taught me to dream as big as the prairie itself. Jonathan, you'll be missed...but now you can be with Pa.
4 comments:
I also loved Little House and so do my kids! Love your tribute!
I thought I saw a little snippet on the news this morning that he had passed. So sad - loved to watch that show everyday after school and now my daughter watches it all the time. I will have to break the news to her after school that he died.
It's pathetic how the media pays so much attention to something like Corey Haim's death but when a great person like Merlin Olsen passes, it barely gets a mention......
P.S. Your Florida trip looks heavenly - glad you had such a wonderful time.
Who doesn't love Little House on the Prairie? I knew that I recognized his name, but as soon as I saw the picture, I knew exactly who he was. He was a great actor and a great man.
Loved. Little. House. On. The. Prairie. (My kids and I have read the series a million times.
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