I did this awhile back on Twitter, but I thought I would do it here as well. If there is something you like about Marina, a special memory you have or just a positive way she’s impacted your life, post it here.
For me, Marina has helped me a couple of times when I was struggling. Before I deleted my Twitter, I was always getting hate on there. People telling me I was an awful person for sharing my opinions, telling me to not have kids & even to off myself and than saying that I couldn’t do anything about it because they weren’t doing anything illegal. Right before leaving Twitter, I had over 100 people messaging me (as part of a hate group right after the Musk takeover), saying they would hunt me down wherever I was on the internet & make me feel uncomfortable and unsafe. Like that was literally what they set out to do; it was their mission to make me miserable and unsafe. One person even said they were going to try to find out where I lived and worked in order to make my real life uncomfortable, as well. They said I didn’t deserve to feel safe and, again, cited the U.S. First Amendment, saying that hate speech and bullying were legal; so I had zero recourse. Anyway, I tweeted Marina one of the times with my experience and another time I didn’t. But both times she basically told me to ignore them. That they were idiots and that they couldn’t hurt me unless I let them. That what they said was background noise and I shouldn’t care what a bunch of strangers on Twitter say to me and think about me. Rather, I should just focus on the words and actions of those who care about me; the rest is just noise that I shouldn’t pay any attention to. And Marina’s words really helped me. Here I am, a literal nobody. And Marina took the time out to reach out to me and give me what was some damn good advice. I’m also grateful that I left Twitter and came here because you all are awesome people and I know you would never do that to sort of thing to me (or anyone else). Thank you so much, Marina. You are truly amazing to take the time out to talk with and help your fans like you do. I just want you to know that you are appreciated. 🖖🏽💖
@AJ Here's the thread I was telling you about.
What I like is she is just a genuinely kind person, compassionat, car- bu she’s also strong and doesn’t take any nonsense. TNG saved my life, there’s no two ways about it, I was in an abusive home, undi autism and adhd- it was a living hell. TNG came out when I was 15, it showed me there are good people, there’s a better future- people do care. It’s still my comfort show.
Just wanted to share an excerpt from an article I wrote a couple years ago about how Marina and her character of Deanna Troi helped me through a difficult period in my life. For context, this is right after I permanently lost my hearing in both ears from Meniere’s Disease and before I got hearing aids.
Marina, it’s been 5 years this weekend that Morgan and I went to see you in the New Jersey Symphony! Time flies. That was also the Arctic Blast over the Eastern US and one of the coldest times I had to walk around outdoors 😂🥶❄️ I was afraid you wouldn’t be able to get a flight into New York but I’m so glad you could. Morgan and I still talk about that trip, how much fun we had together, and how we enjoyed our time with you and seeing the performance ♥️
Here's a link to an article about Marina that was more accurate than I've found in a while. Didn't say anything we didn't know but... here it is if you're interested! 😊
https://nedhardy.com/2022/12/08/marina-sirtis/
One of my most memorable moments was just in my Timehop. 7 years ago last night I had the privilege of watching Marina’s performance in the panto A Snow White Christmas. It was opening night. I was in the 2nd row, center stage. I was alone, but that’s how I wanted it. I had all the feels and I said I would never forget that moment for as long as I live. And I haven’t. It is in the top most memorable days of my life, actually! I’d waited 15+ years for my chance to see her live on stage and I could hardly believe it was finally happening. I was jet lagged, excessively sleep deprived, filled with anxiety due to my flight (those stupid flight nerves 😩), and my emotions were all over the place. But I’m sure I liked like a stupid dork with the biggest grin plastered across my face 🤦♀️😂 Marina was AWESOME!!! And no, I’m not biased. She rocked that wicked queen role and I laughed my ass off!! I was in my element that week 💗 I only had a chance to find her and get a quick hug the first night but I made up for it by going to 5 shows that week. I laughed so hard I felt like I was gonna pee my pants 😜🤣 I could not for the life of me “boo” at the Queen like the rest of the audience. I was bold enough to hollar that I loved her instead 😁
this year was the first time that I had the chance to meet Marina. I was so nervous that I just bought the photo op and wanted to go to see the panels but I just couldnt bring myself to get an autograph because I feared (I still do) that I would say something incredibly stupid or that i would just stutter or stare at her with my mouth agabe. I did stand near her autograph table with my heart hammering but i couldnt bring myself to go over and talk to her. (I will next year... a friend of mine is coming with me and she will make sure to push me in her direction and not let go before I finally talked to her. so.. Marina.. if you are reading this.. if next year at Fedcon.. there is someone in front of you struggling to speak and fidgeting wiht her hands and looking like she is about to loose her shit. yep thats me)
anyway.
Marina made me realize a lot of things during my teenage years that until then.. i wasnt aware even off - and i am glad that I caught TNG on Television when I did.
I agree with Astrid here who said that Marina and i admire her for the person she is and for her speaking her mind (something I struggled with my whole life but am finally starting to change) also.. because of Marina.. because of her attitude and her saying "dont care so much about what others thing about you" - its not always easy because we grow up in a world where we are depended somehow on what people think about us and to act a certain way to get accepted - but the thing is.. the important people- those that count.. they will like / love you no matter what. and its more important to be real than to fake your personality just to get along with people you dont even really care about.
wow that was a lot of rambling. i am sorry.
Like most of us on here, I could write volumes on how Marina has impacted my life. She says that she isn't a role modle, worthy of ppl looking up to HER, Troi maybe, but not her. Well if it weren't for Marina, Troi wouldn't have ever been who so many have looked to all these years. She had to have been somewhere inside Marina for it to have worked.
Marina has shown kindness, real kindness, compassion and grace to me personally.
She is an inspiration, for young actors especially, but also for others, a legend in her own right, a force not to be reckoned with and a more beauriful soul youll never find. Your heart is so brilliant as it shines with the love you have for your ppl & passions. I am honored & grateful to have you in my life. 💗🙏
Marina is my happy place. If I'm feeling down I'll find a podcast she did or one of her talks and she just draws me in and makes me smile. She's hilarious and very real and honest, she has great values and I admire her for her strength and intelligence. She makes me step back and think about what's important in my life. Her love for animals is the reason why I ended up adopting a dog. I stood up in front of a big audience to talk into a mike to ask her a question and she made me feel darn special while answering it. And she has paid attention to little me. Because of her I found conventions and other fans and all you lovely people on here. I could fill lovely long letters with positive impacts she's had on my life. It's all good. So thank you from the bottom of my heart, I will continue to throw love on you Marina, I hope you can feel it💛💛💛
🥰