Elizabeth Taylor at The Twin Dragon

I met Elizabeth Taylor at The Twin Dragon in Beverly Hills in 1998

There are just certain moments that transpire that you don’t forget, like meeting Elizabeth Taylor for example. Back in the 1990’s when I stilled lived in Los Angeles, there was a brief period when I first married my ex-husband when we lived in a penthouse in Beverly Hills. Now you might be thinking this felt extravagant, exciting for me to live in downtown Beverly Hills, however the contrary couldn’t be further from that statement. Living primarily in Studio City for most of my years in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills felt too confined for me. If you know anything about the topography of that area, you are smack dab in the middle of the West Side and it takes awhile to reach the windy road of Sunset Blvd that will lead you across to the Valley, where I personally loved living. The only thing I did love about living there was this wonderful Chinese restaurant my ex-husband just loved and I soon did, too. If you live in L.A. you might know about the Twin Dragon, which has been serving the finest Chinese food I had ever eaten in the same location for over 50 years. I met my step son there for the first time. I remembered he was nine years old and I was 27 and marrying his father. It felt so grand and sweet to be a step mom. I loved that role during that time period. I also had many romantic dinners there with my ex husband. We even had our pre-wedding reception party there for all of our bridal party members and closest loved ones. However the one moment that stuck out with me the most is the one night Michael and I were seated right next to Elizabeth Taylor and Rod Steiger. When you live in Los Angeles the funny thing is after awhile you become accustom to seeing stars on a daily basis, especially in that part of town. So when we sat only two feet away from Elizabeth and her Maltese and Rod, they were actually recognizing my ex husband, too, that was a well known news anchor in town. They exchanged words, and I just sort of sat in awe thinking of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf” moments from that fabulous movie and running every fact I knew in my mind regarding Elizabeth through my mind, like she, too was a fellow Pisces like myself and “Oh my gosh, It’s really legendary Elizabeth Taylor sitting next to me!” Then something sort of wonderful happened. Her little white Maltese left Elizabeth’s side for a few moments and snuggled right up next to me (We were both sitting on the same adjoining booth), and onto my lap. You can imagine my surge of pride when this happened. Then it happened. Elizabeth Taylor spoke to me, not my husband, but to ME. “My dog (said name can’t remember) has never done that before,” She exclaimed. Then she kept calling the doggie back to her and the Maltese stayed next to me for a few more moments before she ran back to Liz’s side. Soon we were done eating and it was time to leave. I let my ex-husband take the lead like I always did back then. He loved the attention and I at the time loved watching him receive it. As we were leaving I turned to look at Elizabeth Taylor and she looked at me and smiled. How incredibly special I felt for one moment to connect with her as an actress I had always admired and studied. And to this day, I know it was because of her dog. Her cute adorable dog liked me. I’ve always had that thing with dogs and I have no idea why they like me because ultimately I am a cat person. If that one moment on the booth hadn’t transpired, I would’ve just sat there and felt sort of on the side lines. Maybe here little doggie was sensing my longing of connection to her. He could feel my need to be acknowledged, too, by this Icon. All I do know that is today after I heard that Elizabeth Taylor died, that memory played out for me as I was walking to work under the eucalyptus trees, that moment with Elizabeth Taylor at Twin Dragon and it seemed so grandiose now looking back. As a person that has been obsessed with old black and white movies and the Hollywood era, eating Chinese food next to Liz and her Maltese ranks up there as one of those surreal moments in Hollywood. I am reminded of how life can pass too quickly, and those chapters that touched the edges of our soul soon fade as new beginnings begin and old moments fade. I am reminded of how to remember to live each day with gratitude. Never look back, never look ahead, and just simply enjoy this now. Today when I found out Elizabeth Taylor died, I remembered parts of my life have died, too. I must say there were a few tears with these recollections and reflection, but mainly for Elizabeth. I will miss knowing she is alive on this earth, yet that one moment stuck in time will stay with me always….