Greetings,
Yes, I am doing what everyone else is doing, and no, I don't have any idea what to say either. But I thought I should say something, so short and as sweet as I can be today.
Not much out of Hollywood surprises me anymore, and I think most people would agree with me on that. The death of Robin Williams, however, seemed to shock everyone. Having been born in the 80's, I have never not known about him, and I have never not liked him. He never failed to make me laugh when he was being interviewed, and though I rarely stay awake for late night TV, if he was going to be on, I had to check it out. Since he started in comedy, that's what he was most known for. No problem with that. But as someone who is madly in love with Dead Poets Society, of course, I can't forget what a gifted dramatic actor that Robin Williams was. It's what I'll remember most about him and missed most about him.
Professional accomplishments aside, he was never quiet about his personal problems. I don't think anybody didn't know about that aspect of his life. Ironically, though he was vocal about all this, he still managed to hide it well with his upbeat and hilarious persona. Or he just managed to make us forget about the bad stuff. But we never really know how much hurt someone can be trapped by. He must have been trapped by a lot. And I understand why people feel like this came out of nowhere, but I'm not sure how totally stunned I am. There's a reason for that, though.
I can't speak for him or anyone who knew him, but I can speak as someone who has gone through severe depression. We are quite good at faking it, especially when we don't think anyone can help. I have been there. I have been suicidal and made my own attempts. Thankfully, I got through it. There are still scars, and there always will be. Maybe that's a good thing, since they remind me of what I don't want to go back to.
Some people are asking how could and why would Robin Williams take his own life. He had everything. Yeah, sometimes we forget that the world's definition of 'everything' is not what 'everything' means in reality. I don't know what would have helped him or stopped him, because I don't know exactly what kind of help he would have accepted. I credit my faith with getting me out of those dark places and keeping me from falling too deeply into them again, though I was the one who had to decide to take the help. I know a lot of people don't want to hear about faith being an answer to these kind of problems, but sorry, it worked for me, and I won't lie about that.
I'm going to end this by saying that, whatever he was going through, I wish he hadn't have done what he did. I don't want to condemn him or anything, like some have been doing. I just feel sad for him, because I understand what it's like to be looking at the choices of life and death and having to pick one. I wish he would have made a different choice. I wish it for him and all those who knew and loved him. I will certainly have them in my prayers. But I don't want to dwell on his death passed this post, and I truly hope that nothing I said offended or hurt anyone further. I'd rather remember his gift. There's one thing that won't go away.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
