To Robin, to us all

When I heard the news of Robin's passing, I was stunned, incredulous and kept hoping it was some kind of bad joke he was playing on all of us. He's one of those people who you think will be around forever. You hear of people passing all the time, but this one seemed to hit the world pretty hard. Why is that? Simply, this planet was a better place with Robin in it - but that doesn't mean it was a better place for him. Tons of stories are coming out of how wonderful he was to everyone around him, to charities, to helping out random people. To those of us who only knew him on screen, he brought us laughter, he got us to reflect, he showed us how to Carpe Diem. Robin shared his heart, his gifts, his talent with the world. 

How have we been handling it? Not very well. From all of the different posts and articles I've read, a lot of focus is on the blame game. He killed himself because of: the Parkinson's, some drug they put him on made him suicidal, financial issues, his addictions, his depression… 'Didn't his family or friends know something was wrong? They should have done something.' My all time "favorites" - 'doesn't he know how selfish that is?' - 'only a weak person would do that.'  This is a man who gave and gave and gave. What are we giving back to him? to his family? to his loved ones? Our opinions? Because we know better than anyone else? None of us were in Robin's shoes, none of us can know or judge him. It's not our place. We seem to have this need to pry and know the reason of why he did it so we can justify (or non-justify) what happened and get on with our lives and try to fill that void. I think we're looking at it the wrong way.

Robin Williams was a shining light, a beacon in this often dark world. He gifted us laughter - something a lot of people rarely do anymore - laugh. Laughter brings us joy. We need more of that in the world. He gifted us compassion. He gifted us zaniness, that it's ok to be a little off the wall. He gifted us a realistic look at life's ups and downs - he spoke openly about his addictions. The 'downs' are a part of being human - why do we try to sweep that under the rug? He was personable, he cared. We may not have his gift of lightening speed comedy, but we can all be compassionate, we can all care, we can all bring laughter and joy to those around us, we can all be realistic and zany. We can all shine our light out into the world. Yes, we all have our struggles, our inner demons, but that shouldn't stop us - it didn't stop him for a very long time. 

When was the last time you smiled at a stranger? When was the last time you said something positive and genuine to someone? When was the last time you helped someone out without expecting anything in return? When was the last time you turned off your t.v. or put down your phone and actually connected with those around you? When was the last time you were really present for someone?


My favorite piece about Robin was written by Norm McDonald via twitter:
It was my first stand-up appearance on Letterman and I had to follow the funniest man in the world. 
I was a punk kid from rural Ontario and I was in my dressing room, terrified. 
I was on the phone to a friend back home when the funniest man in the world ambled by.
There was no one else on the floor. In shock, I told my friend who just walked by. Only the funniest man in the world. 
I guess he heard me say his name, cause in an instant he was at my side. 
He was a jewish tailor, taking my measurements. He went down on his knees, asked which way I dressed. 
I told my friend on the phone that the funniest man in the world was on his knees before me, measuring my inseam. 
My friend didn't believe me so I said, "Could you talk to my friend, sir. 
The funniest man in the world took the phone and for ten minutes took my friend's chinese food order. 
I laughed and laughed and it was like I was in a dream because no one else was there. No one.
The place was out of Moo Shoo Pork, and there was nothing he could do about it.
He angrily hung up on my friend and I was about to thank him when he said I hadn't even tried the jacket on. 
Then the funniest man on earth dressed me, a complete stranger, and I remember he ended with a windsor knot.
He spoke mostly yiddish, but when he finished he was happy with his job and turned me to a mirror to present myself to me.
No one witnessed any of this. No one. 
The funniest man alive was in my dressing room a good half-hour and was far funnier than the set I had to do soon.
When he left my dressing room, I felt alone. As alone as I ever remember feeling.
Until today. 
Unacceptable. #RIPRobinWilliams— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) August 12, 2014


Robin's light is no longer here and we all feel something. It is now time for us to step up and shine our own light into the world in our own way. It is time for us to stop focussing on the 'why he did it,' 'how could he do it,' and the 'I'm so sad he's not here anymore' - it is time to take over where he left off. It is time to bring more joy into our lives and the lives of others around us. It is time to be more personable and care. It's time for us to fill that void the best way we can. To me, that's the ultimate tribute you can give anyone. - Adrienne :)

Thank you Robin.