Wednesday, August 13, 2014

The Passing of a Legend

I debating about writing this blog for a day or so... but then realized, that's kind of the whole point of a blog. To share your thoughts with the world (or the half dozen people who read this). So, here goes...

Robin Williams, gone at age 63. By suicide, of all things. Who knew a man that could bring so much laughter to a room was hurting so deeply inside from depression. It truly shows how much depression really is a disease, festering inside some people, so much that unless you're close to them, you'd never know. And sometimes, not even those close know how bad it is.

I can't help but reflect and remember all the times Robin Williams made me laugh... he had such an amazing career, spanning decades. I remember him a bit from Mork and Mindy - I was quite young, but I still remember it. And then his movie career... I was going through the lengthy list of movies and some I forgot about. But it didn't make them any less significant. I don't know that I could pick a favorite... though I will say one of his most memorable was just his voice - Aladdin. They essentially drew the genie to match his voice and persona, and captured it so well. But his own personality shone through just about every character he played, right down to his last season on TV this past spring with The Crazy Ones. I thought that show was just hitting its stride with the cast's chemistry starting to click and was quite bummed they cancelled it. But now this... now he's gone. Who ever would've thought.

I disagree with those out there saying 'he made the choice to end his life.' While that is the definition of suicide, when depression is involved, you thought processes are no longer your own. To be frank, you're messed up in the head and your reality is nothing like the reality around you. Suicide comes in three way... (1) to make a point; (2) to get attention; and (3) because you've lost control. Numbers 1 and 2 usually end up as one reason... but number three... that is sadly a high percentage of them. And depression is usually the cause, whether it be because of the medication they give you (which makes you more depressed??) or because you're not medicated and it finally take control of you. depression is an internal battle that can only be won by the person it has ahold of. Meds don't work - they just sedate the beast. Money won't buy your way out, either. And you can have all the love and adoration of family and friends any one person could handle in a lifetime, but they can't beat depression, either. It's an inner battle and if that person doesn't want to win it, then they won't. I'm not a doctor, and I don't care what doctors say, chemical inbalance or whatever... at the end of the day, the win has to come from within.

That said, Robin Williams will be sorely missed. And as the last few movies he filed come out over the next year, the world will watch them with an aching heart, knowing that there will be no more to come. But may his laughter live on in each of us, as he taught us all that the best laugh often comes when you laugh at yourself.

"O Captain! My Captain!"


1 comment:

Anonymous said...

It is sad when someone appears to be the happiest person in the world but ended their lives because of deep depression in their mind.