Contributor: As Moira Rose, Catherine O’Hara taught me to roll with life’s plot twists

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Watching Catherine O’Hara as Moira Rose on “Schitt’s Creek” meant a lot to me personally. Her character helped me cope with a constantly changing life – I’d moved 29 times by the time I was 46.

When I learned about O’Hara’s passing last week, I immediately reached for my comfy blanket and put on “Schitt’s Creek.” I’ve watched the show many times, and I often find myself repeating her funny lines – she delivered them with a uniquely quirky and clever style.

I grew up moving frequently, much like the Rose family. As a kid, these moves were always framed as positive – a necessary step for my dad’s career. My family believed in following opportunities, and for me, that meant attending five different schools between ages 13 and 18. The upside, I was told, was that I was quickly learning to read people. As an adult, moving became more difficult, often triggered by life changes like divorce, job loss, and constantly rising rent as I tried to build a life in the city. It felt less like progress and more like something to be ashamed of.

I began watching “Schitt’s Creek” in 2018, right after my second divorce was finalized. I was 40 years old and taking a break from my demanding job in marketing. Many days were spent aimlessly wandering through my large suburban house, often crying while lying on my stepchildren’s beds. At a really difficult time, Moira’s funny lines – like calling her son David a “disgruntled pelican” or her confusion about adding cheese – were the only things that could make me even crack a smile.

I was going through a really tough time emotionally, and the show resonated with me deeply. Watching the Rose family lose everything and end up living in a small-town motel felt very relatable. They struggled to adjust to their new reality, and I was experiencing a similar pain, feeling lost and not where I hoped to be in life. I was about to sell my house – the one with the perfect lawn – and downsize to a condo, leaving behind the happy, comfortable life I’d known, complete with all its little routines. Just like the character Moira, I had to face the fact that my life had changed dramatically and accept the situation.

Moira coped with being uprooted by transforming her experiences into performance. The actress skillfully portrayed the character’s dramatic moments, making them both poignant and endearing. I especially connected with one of her lines – “This wine is awful. Give me another glass!” – as I found myself reaching for a bottle of inexpensive wine while unpacking boxes in a new kitchen that still felt foreign and hoping to numb the discomfort.

She always had a bold, lively personality, which was especially noticeable when I returned to work after being out for six months – an absence that led to some strange rumors, including one that I had passed away! She famously announced her return to her singing group with a dramatic, “Don’t worry, I’m back!” I decided to channel that same confident energy when I walked back into the office. It worked – my colleagues quickly treated me as if my time away hadn’t happened, and I jumped right back into the usual busy schedule of meetings and requests.

Moira helped me sporadically as I tried to build a stable life and break my habit of moving frequently. However, in 2024, my landlord unexpectedly increased the rent by a significant $400 per month. With interest rates rising and the housing market stalled, there weren’t many homes for sale. I decided to rent a short-term garden apartment, hoping things would improve. The situation felt overwhelming, and I had the same urge to hide away that Moira experienced during her emotional breakdowns.

I started focusing on Moira Rose’s resilience. Even when her family lost everything, she maintained a sense of style and grace – wearing wigs to the grocery store and pronouncing “baby” in her own unique way, all while holding her head high. Instead of beating myself up over my housing situation and seeing it as a personal failing, I decided to view my moves as an unexpected, but ultimately charming, turn of events, just like she would have.

After one last move, I’ve finally found a townhouse I hope will be my home for many years. Even the way I moved in felt different this time, thanks to Moira. Instead of trying to shrink myself to fit the space, I arrived with confidence, believing that even though things change, I don’t have to fall apart.

I used to see each of my 29 moves as a personal setback, and my adult life as a series of unfulfilled goals. But the character O’Hara helped me realize it was okay to not always appear perfectly put-together – she portrayed a delicate balance, almost on the verge of losing control, and that gave me permission to feel the same way.

I’ve finally gotten settled and unpacked, and this place really feels like home. But I’m prepared for anything life throws my way, just like I always am – with my strength and resilience, just like my role model, Moira.

Andrea Javor is a writer and marketing professional in Chicago. She’s currently writing a memoir that explores the themes of poker and romance.

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2026-02-05 14:01