REMINISCENCES: ACTRESS KATHLEEN TURNER

My father was a diplomat, so most of my upbringing was outside the U.S. But every two years my family spent summers back home. When I was seven, we stayed on my grandparents’ farm outside Springfield, Mo. My brothers, sister and I ran through the fields and swam in the creek. We competed to see who could dig up the biggest potato, who could pick the biggest peach. We built huge forts from bales of hay. We barbecued. Everyone was relaxed–even my father, which was unusual. One day, at summer’s end, I sat on my father’s lap, grabbed his collar and pleaded, “We have to come back soon. I can’t wait two years.” He replied, “Well, you have to, don’t you?” I learned there are some things you can’t change. They just are.

Five years ago, when I was bedridden with rheumatoid arthritis, I kept saying to myself, “I have to do something now.” But then I thought, “I just have to wait” to get better. After 20 years in the entertainment business, I realize that I don’t have the ability to create my own projects as a writer or producer. My talent is interpreting the works of others. I have to wait for good material. And I can do it.