John Fiedler, a stage actor who won fame as the voice of Piglet in Walt Disney's Winnie-the-Pooh films, died Saturday, The New York Times reported in Monday editions. He was 80.

Two years ago, I was up north visiting my brother and his family and my niece decided that we should watch a video together. She chose a Winny-the-Pooh, one of her favorites at the moment. I figured that we would watch for a few minutes and that she would get bored and then we would move on, which is what happened for her, but I became totally engrossed in the story.

First of all, understand that I am Winnie, that's who I am in the story, or at least that's who I'd like to be in the story. And in this little fantasy world, the character I like the most in my Winnie-mode is Piglet. Understand also that this Winnie-Piglet thing is a good analogy for the best relationship that I've ever had in my life; the voice somewhat, the size difference, the dizzy playfullness, it's all there.

My niece was respectful, she was bored with it all, but she waited until the story had finished before starting the next piece of business that three year olds always have ready.

It's funny, the way things affect you over the years. This doesn't seem like it should affect me this much, but it does. This passing brings up other passings, other losses, another voice lost to memory and love.