Why would little ole me, address the passing of such a great man? My goal is to inspire others. Robin Williams did more that inspire me, he made me laugh and through his honesty and pain about his own afflictions humbled me.
Like most, Robin Williams death halted my thoughts over the last week, stupefied by the possibility that someone so brilliant, someone who came into my life at a young age, had left me. Knowing my own pain I couldn’t imagine what his family was going through. My emotion went from wanting to read everything about him to selecting very carefully what I allowed myself to ‘peek’ at. If like me, you wanted to only watch and read the good stuff, I’ve put together a few pieces I came across that honor and celebrate the brilliance that was Robin Williams.
Billy Crystal’s tribute made my eyes glisten, watch it here
Both depression and suicide have accosted my life.To experience even the concept of either is ugly, sad and no joke. This scene from Mork and Mindy, where I first had the delight to ‘meet Robin’, is humorous and as I understand it Robin was allowed to improvise, I wonder if these were his thoughts or the writers?
Orson: The report, Mork.
Mork: This week I discovered a terrible disease called loneliness.
Orson: Do many people on Earth suffer from this disease?
Mork: Oh yes sir, and how they suffer. One man I know suffers so much he has to take a medication called bourbon, even that doesn’t help very much because then he can hear paint dry.
Orson: Does bed rest help?
Mork: No because I’ve heard that sleeping alone is part of the problem. You see, Orson, loneliness is a disease of the spirit. People who have it think that no one cares about them.
Orson: Do you have any idea why?
Mork: Yes sir you can count on me. You see, when children are young, they’re told not to talk to strangers. When they go to school, they’re told not to talk to the person next to them. Finally when they’re very old, they’re told not to talk to themselves, who’s left?
Orson: Are you saying Earthlings make each other lonely?
Mork: No sir I’m saying just the opposite. They make themeslves lonely, they’re so busy looking out for number one that there’s not enough room for two.
Orson: It’s too bad everybody down there can’t get together and find a cure.
Mork: Here’s the paradox sir because if they did get together, they wouldn’t need one. Isn’t that zenlack?
Hearing Mr. Williams share about his family over the years, no one could convince me he did it to hurt others. His daughter Zelda’s statement moved me beyond words, read it here.
David Letterman’s tribute is here.
Legendary singer and songwriter, Paul Williams, wrote this piece that, I think, said it best. “Do not postpone kindness or generosity. Give the world your best now, before the chance to give has gone.”
My friend, Tracey Jackson, wrote this. She also asked “What was your favourite Robin Williams movie. That’s tough.
- Good Morning Vietnam; not only had me busting a gut laughing but showed his brilliance beyond measure.
- Mrs. Doubtfire; who could pull that off? Oh my, again the word brilliant screams.
- The Birdcage; if how many times I watched a movie was the criteria, most definitely, that was my fave.
- Good Will Hunting; is usually the one that comes to mind when I say which one I loved best but when I remember the above??
- Dead Poet’s Society… invigorated, not only the youth I’m known to state ‘Carpe Diem’ even today!
- Patch Adams because, as I understand it, that was the true Robin, living to delight others!
- Aladdin has to be my personal fave because the show inspired my hubby and me to select our wedding song. A Whole New World;
Norm MacDonald shared his meeting with Robin Williams which, for me, is pure Robin where no cameras were on him, he was just him.
I just read, September 9th, 2014, this never before released interview Robin did. It is the most telling and in many ways the saddest thing I’ve read. Read it here
And finally, we lost Joan Rivers now too, her words on Robin Williams, here.
“No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world.” – Robin Williams 1951 – 2014
For a very special vacation…
¡Inspired! 