I’m humbled to share the deeply moving story of acclaimed actor Andrew Garfield and his poignant conversation with the iconic Sesame Street character Elmo about the grief of losing his beloved mother, Lynn.
Sesame Workshop released a heartwarming video in which Garfield opens up to Elmo, expressing the complex emotions he’s been grappling with since his mother’s death from pancreatic cancer in 2019.
“She passed away not too long ago, and you know, I just miss her a lot,” Garfield tells Elmo, his voice laced with tenderness. But rather than succumbing to sorrow, the actor offers a profound perspective on the nature of grief.
“You know, sadness is kind of a gift,” he says. “In a way, it’s a lovely thing to feel, because it means that you really loved somebody when you miss them.”
Garfield goes on to share the cherished memories that surface when he thinks of his mother—the warm hugs, the comforting cuddles—and how these recollections bring him closer to her, even in her absence.
“So, I’m happy to have all the memories of my mom and all the joy she brought me,” Garfield says, his words brimming with gratitude. She also brought joy to my brother, my dad, everyone she ever met, and everyone around her. So, when I miss her, I remember it’s because she made me so happy. Therefore, I am able to both celebrate her and miss her simultaneously.
Elmo, with his iconic empathy and understanding, embraces Garfield and expresses his own desire to celebrate the memory of the actor’s mother. The exchange is a powerful testament to the healing power of shared grief and the enduring love that transcends the boundaries of life and death.
Garfield’s openness about his mother’s passing and the impact it has had on him is a stark reminder of the universality of loss and the importance of acknowledging and honoring the complex emotions it evokes.
Earlier this month, the actor spoke with Anderson Cooper about his mother’s “gentleness, kindness, and generosity,” even in the face of her own pain and discomfort. These qualities, it seems, have left an indelible mark on Garfield, shaping his perspective on life, love, and the true meaning of happiness.
As Garfield navigates the bittersweet journey of mourning and celebrating his mother’s legacy, his willingness to share his story with Elmo and the world serves as a poignant example of the healing power of vulnerability and the enduring strength of the human spirit.
In a world that often struggles to confront the realities of grief, Garfield’s words offer a guiding light, reminding us that “sadness is kind of a gift”—a testament to the profound love and joy that came before it.