Another bright light has passed from this world today. One of the most beautiful souls to ever grace the world has left this realm to travel others on wings of light and glorious laughter. Robin Williams died today. He was an incredible comedian, caring man, loving soul and gifted us all with the courage and will to face life with a smile, no matter what.
Image courtesy of The Huffington Post.com
How is it that someone we have never met in person can have such a profound effect upon us and our lives? I write this with tears streaming and I weep for the world to have lost such an incredible person and force for the Light. I cry because for so long, Mr. Williams battled the demons of depression and addiction…and anyone who has ever fought either one of those (or both) knows exactly how hard it is to even keep your balance, much less win the war. He fought a good fight. I mourn that he who brought so much laughter and wisdom, so much compassion and gentleness to so many people could have been in so much pain that he just wanted it to stop.
Image borrowed from intentblog.com
I’ve loved him since Mork & Mindy, but my favorite roles of his were Professor John Keating in Dead Poets Society and Parry in The Fisher King. I’m sure everyone has their favorites, remembers some way he touched their lives and made life better.
Please, if you or someone you know is suffering from depression or battling addiction, reach out. This is the most important thing you can do for yourself or them. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline is: 1-800-273-8255.
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Goodbye, my Captain. May your soul find peace and keep the angels laughing. Thank you for everything you gave us.
“Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,
Old time is still a-flying;
And this same flower that smiles today
Tomorrow will be dying.
The glorious lamp of heaven the sun,
The higher he’s a-getting,
The sooner will his race be run,
And nearer he’s to setting.
That age is best which is the first,
When youth and blood are warmer;
But being spent, the worse, and worst
Times still succeed the former.
Then be not coy, but use your time,
And, while ye may, go marry;
For, having lost but once your prime,
You may forever tarry. “
~ Robert Herrick (1648), “To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time”
“O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done,
The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won,
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring;
But O heart! heart! heart!
O the bleeding drops of red,
Where on the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead…”
~ Walt Whitman (1891), excerpt from “O Captain! My Captain!”
~ Dragon's Dreams ~ 
This is the first I’ve heard about Robin’s death Corina. He had such a knack of turning laughter into pathos ~ ‘Good Morning Vietnam’ was the first film of his that I watched and it affected me so deeply. I’m lost for words now. My son~in~law took his own life 20 months ago and many of the tributes were about his kindness and wicked sense of humour. It seems that he showed his bleaker side to no~one but my daughter. So thank you for including the hotline numbers in this moving tribute.
I’m sorry if I was the one to break the news to you. 😦 Yes, I liked all of his movies and “Good morning, Vietnam” was one of the more touching roles he had. I’m so sorry about the loss of your son in law. Twenty months is not a long time gone and I imagine the pain is still fresh. My only sibling, my brother, also took his life at the age of 26 and it is something that changes those left behind. So many times, no one even knows how badly the person is hurting…and they are just looking for a way to make the pain stop, no matter what. It is hard to understand the ‘whys’ of it, but I think there are some souls who are simply not meant for how harsh this world can be. I like to think they are all happier and at peace now.
I’m so very sorry for the loss of your brother, too, Corina ~ you are so right, it changes everything in a different way than other bereavements. But I, too, believe that these fragile souls are not meant for this world and that they are now free and at peace and that is what I would wish for them. ❤
Funny man with sad eyes. I am in shock
Yes. I think the world will be in shock today. It’s a tragic loss for many.
Thanks for your compassionate words here, Corina. I loved Robin Williams, starting with the show Mork and Mindy. That’s a lot of years of entertainment and fun that he gave us. I can’t imagine how bleak your life must get to, to want to just check out…but I do understand…the pain is just intolerable to want to keep going on. I think drug and alcohol addiction is tied very closely to depression and it has become an epidemic in our society. That’s scary to think…
My condolences to you and Jacqueline for losing loved ones to suicide…I’m so very sorry.
Thanks, Gayle. It is scary to think but I believe you are right – it has reached an epidemic in this country, at least. I wish there were more funding for treatment for all of them. Perhaps Robin’s death will bring some much needed attention to the issue. We can hope.
Yes, we can hope…
Thank you, Gayle ~ I’ve just found this message from you and it means a great deal to me. ❤
You’re most welcome, Jacqueline. xoxo
touching tribute………a great man for a not so great world
Thanks, E. It’s true, he was a great man, even beyond his comedic talent. I think I can safely say that his loss echoed around the world.