Folks, no matter where you fall on the political spectrum, we think it’s safe to say it’s been a bit of a tumultuous year.
Sure, 2017 hasn’t hit quite as hard as 2016 in terms of untimely celebrity deaths, but as we approach the halfway mark, there’s no question that some of the bonafide greats have shuffled off this mortal coil.
Just two weeks ago, for example, the music world was shocked by the death of Chris Cornell, the iconic Soundgarden and Audioslave singer who passed at just 52 years of age.
Cornell had many famous friends, and he’s been widely mourned both in Hollywood and in the Seattle music scene that he helped to create.
Among the most recognizable of the late legend’s A-list buddies is Brad Pitt.
Pitt was said to be devastated by Cornell’s death, and sources say he sank into deep depression upon hearing the news.
Word of Cornell’s passing reportedly reached Pitt within 48 hours of the death of Brad Grey, one of Pitt’s oldest friends and longtime business partner.
As you probably know, it had been a rocky few months for the newly single (and newly sober) screen icon, and losing two close friends back-to-back could have easily pushed Brad into a dangerous downward spiral.
But it seems Pitt’s a stronger believer that sometimes, the best way to help yourself is to reach out and help someone else:
That’s Brad with Cornell’s two youngest children, 12-year-old Toni and 11-year-old Christopher, at the Universal Studios theme park in LA.
The trio reportedly hit up the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, where they were spotted sipping on Butter Beers.
(Unlike the beverages served up at the Three Broomsticks, Universal’s Butter Beer is entirely N/A.)
Little is known about Brad and the kids’ visit to the park, but we imagine Pitt simply wanted to do something nice for some kids who recently lost their dad.
It’s not gonna bring Chris back, or solve any of the world’s major problems, but the gesture no doubt made a tremendous difference two young people going through a difficult time.
Let’s all take a moment to reflect on the impact that a single kind gesture can have in the confusing and chaotic universe we all inhabit.
Okay, cool.
Now that that’s over, you can get back to flaming each other on Twitter.
