Generally speaking, I’m not a “TikToker”. Or a tweeter. Or an instagrammer. It’s all I can do to keep up with Facebook, my emails, and this blog, m’kay?
But the other day I stumbled upon an article entitled, “A Funny TikTok Series About ‘Heaven’s Receptionist’ Is Helping People Deal With Grief”, so, yeah, I TikToked for a hot second. (Much more than that and I’d have gotten sucked in for life.) It brought such happy tears to my eyes.
Taryn Delanie Smith, Miss New York 2022, and runner up in Miss America 2023, goes by Taryntino21 on TikTok. Normally I wouldn’t be drawn to someone like this, because beauty is not something that has ever interested me overmuch. But her Heaven’s Receptionist playlist is fantastic. In it, she plays a character named Denise, who is a no nonsense, salt of the earth, gum-smacking, bathrobe-wearing people-person who is most likely the first staff member you’ll meet at the pearly gates.
You can tell two things about Denise right away: She’s not about to take any shit off you, but she genuinely cares about people. That’s my kind of person. We’d be buds.
In the article, Taryn said that all she’s ever wanted to do was provide people with comfort during difficult times. She has succeeded. After binge watching Heaven’s Receptionist, I came away feeling that the loved ones I’ve lost are fully aware of me, their love is all around me, and even my dogs are well taken care of on Rainbow Bridge.
Taryn is a great actor, a talented script writer, and a fantastic comedian. Somehow, watching her short vignettes reassures me that come what may, everything is going to be all right. Not very many public figures are doing that these days. And hey, if NPR’s Morning Edition likes her, then what’s not to love? I suppose 5 million TikTok views says quite a bit, too. I expect great things from her in the future. She is a much-needed balm to my spirit.
Thanks, Taryn. I guess I’ll be popping in to TikTok from time to time to check up on Denise. I am dying to see what she says next. But I still refuse to create an account!
An attitude of gratitude is what you need to get along. Read my book! http://amzn.to/2mlPVh5
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