A Serious Post.

I don’t want to bring ya down, but I feel like I need to express my thoughts about the sadness and great loss that has hit the news.
With our extreme connection via facebook, twitter, instagram, television and the streaming of everything, you have to be living under a rock to have not heard the news of Robin Williams dying yesterday. My college roommate texted me last night while I was prepping dinner saying “My BF Robin Williams died!” {We had this long standing joke that she was the leader of the Unofficial JMU Chapter of the Robin Williams Fan Club and of course that he was her boyfriend…} I texted back with “Ha - you’re kidding.” I mean, I had just watched the NBC Nightly News and they didn’t mention a single thing and didn’t I just hear talks about a Mrs. Doubtfire 2? {Apparently the tragic news broke shortly after the Nightly News aired.}
I have become numb to the media constantly spouting out names of celebrities who have died {whether it’s via drugs, booze, or accidentally on purpose…} but to hear Robin Williams’ name added to this list has seriously stopped me in my tracks. He was such a brilliant talent. No, of course I didn’t know him, but he was an actor that I feel practically EVERYONE could connect with. {Forget Aladdin, I remember watching Mork and Mindy reruns as a kid and thinking he was the cutest guy ever!}
This is a tragic loss. One that if it was a handful of other celebrities, it wouldn’t hit home nearly as much. Why? Robin Williams was relatable. So many of his films are on worn out VHS tapes in drawers at my parents’ house. Cait and I watched Mrs. Doubtfire religiously, every day after school for a good couple of years. {“It was a run by fruiting!”} He could act in all types of flicks and was unbelievable across the board. I haven’t seen too many actors that can switch from slap stick comedy to drama to kid movies the way he did.
What really makes me sit back in awe is all the love and kind words you see about Robin Williams floating around the internet/media now. Don’t get me wrong, it’s absolutely wonderful. The man definitely made an impact on the world. But did he need to hear these words before? As such a happy-go-lucky, brilliant, talent - who had the world in the palm of his hand, but was secretly struggling with depression and demons… was there something that someone, anyone, could’ve done?
Everyone has a tipping point. Everyone has struggles. And almost everyone I know fights some sort of demon. Suicide is not the answer though. It’s a quick and easy “way out” that hurts everyone. Depression is a horrible illness that so many of us suffer from. But this gifted talent decided to take his life. He lived a life, making those around him laugh. He lived a life full of charity and comedy. He lived a life that many would love to experience. And then he fell to his demons and selfishly ended his own life. I cannot even begin to image the raw emotions his family must feel.
No, of course I didn’t know Robin Williams. But it’s still crushing. It’s crushing because we can all relate, whether it is through a loved one who left us too soon or the struggles we may be bearing. Hopefully something good can come out of this though. Like maybe, someone, anyone, will feel moved about sharing their struggles, because they are not alone.
Which is why I am here, writing the longest post ever. To tell you this:
I don’t care who you are. Depression hits all of us. It doesn’t discriminate against color, weight, industry, business, or family. You are loved. You are beautiful. You are amazing.
Maybe I know you from my past. Maybe we have lost touch in the years. Maybe you are a new friend, a blog friend, a family member, or one of my closest confidants. Or maybe we have never met. Let me stress: You are loved. You are amazing. Famous or not, you are important, you have value and you are worth fighting for.
If you are struggling, talk. Talk to the people around you. Ask for help. Don’t fight one single internal battle by yourself. Turn to friends, family, and Jesus. I urge everyone to please keep in mind, a lot of times we don’t really know the man behind the curtain. Greet every person {friend or stranger} without assumptions, but instead with care, sincere concern, and love. Some of us have become really good at using our PR face to hide the multitude of things that are dwelling in our deepest, darkest places.

Facebook is great. Blogs are wonderful. Texts are convenient. But take time to call or meet with your loved ones. Hug your family a little tighter. Make plans to spend quality time with your friends. Be sure to tell the ones you love, that you love them. One of my facebook friends said it best: “Pick up the phone & call someone. Maybe you speak to someone who just might REALLY need your call. Maybe you’re the one who needs a real conversation. We all know someone who might need to actually hear the words “Hey, how have you been…. no, really. How have you been?” So, how have you been?
“Robin Williams was an airman, a doctor, a genie, a nanny, a president, a professor, a bangarang Peter Pan and everything in between. But he was one of a kind.”

Thoughts, prayers and love go out to Robin Williams’ family. May we all remember him for his little spark of madness.

Guest

<3 love this. I knew everyone in the world would be talking about this today, but in a lot of ways, I feel like it deserves real reflection - you can have it all, you can even be making a ton of people happy, and have so much hidden below the surface. Terribly sad. I do hope this inspires people who are struggling to reach out.
http://whatyoumakeitblog.blogspot.com/ Jenn

<3 love this. I knew everyone in the world would be talking about this today, but in a lot of ways, I feel like it deserves real reflection - you can have it all, you can even be making a ton of people happy, and have so much hidden below the surface. Terribly sad. I do hope this inspires people who are struggling to reach out.
- http://www.2catsandchloe.com/ Susan @ 2catsandchloe
  
  So true Jenn. Even though we are a trillion times removed from this man, it still hits home and deserves prayer and reflection.
http://www.BlessHerHeartYall.com J Trogstad

Very good post. Everyone is fighting a battle and it may not be evident to the outside world. You summed up this sad tragedy very well.
- http://www.2catsandchloe.com/ Susan @ 2catsandchloe
  
  Thanks friend.
http://bakecreatelove.com/ Heather West

Such a lovely post. I’ve known way too many people in my 31 years who have committed suicide. It is a very permanent solution to very temporary problems. It saddens me that depression & mental illness is something so many people still find shameful, and I just hope that something positive can come from this tragedy.

He was such a tremendous talent, and I still can’t get over the fact that he’s gone.
- http://www.2catsandchloe.com/ Susan @ 2catsandchloe
  
  You’re so right! It is such a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Well said.