January/February 2018 Issue

David Taught
Lyn
Cassidy
Neimann
What
Time About Me
It was through my role in film and television production that I became friends with musician and actor, David
Cassidy. It was an unlikely friendship because there's very little downtime for those who work behind the
scenes as I do. As fate would have it though, I became his de facto assistant. We clicked immediately. He said
it was because he could intuitively tell whom he could trust. Still, I found the level of intimacy he entrusted me
with surprising. He’d send me lengthy personal texts as if we had known each other for eons. I acted as a
sounding board as well as a support system.
WE'RE GOING TO LONDON THIS SEPTEMBER!
In 2016, he revealed he was in the early stages of dementia. It’s why I found it puzzling that he had committed
to a show. Productions can be unpredictable and Hurricane Irma had thrown a wrench into our schedule. For
David, the changes were especially difficult. There were unfamiliar surroundings, cancelled flights, and new
people—some of whom at times appeared oblivious to the challenges and fears his condition presented.
He once called me from the airport, panicked and unsure of where he was or where he was supposed to go.
From then on, I travelled with him or made sure someone met him at the gate.
He said that, in addition to arthritis, he was working with broken ribs.
“What?!” I said. “Isn't that painful when singing?”
“Oh honey,” he said, “you have no idea.” Yet, he didn’t want to cancel and “disappoint anyone.”
He had an incredible work ethic but, I could tell that this production was taking a huge toll on him. As the
primary caregiver for my father and an aunt when they were both living, I had become accustomed to
recognizing the subtle signals from people who needed more help than they cared to admit. Once at a
crosswalk, I instinctively put out my arm for him so that he could use it as a railing when we
approached a step.
“Hold my hand,” he said. It was ok that I knew he needed help; he just wasn’t ready for others to see that. We
laughed, he shared life wisdom and advice. He became nostalgic and emotional when talking about taking
care of his mother or losing his close friend, Dennis Wilson of The Beach Boys. Yet, what haunts me most
from the time we spent together was that, like many people, he found it hard to slow down.
LondonChristianTour.com
“I just want to love and enjoy life,” he told me. He said it with such sadness in his eyes.
The day after David told me that, production was halted and he was admitted to the hospital. Two months
later, with loved ones surrounding him, he reflected and said to his daughter, “so much wasted time.”
So, as you look at this new year with all of its possibilities, become aware of how aligned your words are with
your actions. This year, if you say you want to do something, please, please do it.