Remembering Robin Williams

By now you likely know that the wonderfully talented actor, comedian, and philanthropist Robin Williams has passed away. Early reports are that he died by suicide and apparently hung himself in his home. Williams has apparently battled depression and substance abuse for sometime and many this morning are struggling with the concept that one of the worlds funniest showman was deep within himself not laughing.

It’s difficult to fathom that a man that made so many laugh and smile battled inner demons that kept him from smiling.

This is not about a man who took his own life but a chance for all of us to reflect on loved ones that we have either lost or were blessed with having been saved. My own story is not unlike many others as I came close to losing a very close family member this same way. Details are not important but there is not a day that goes by that I don’t thank God this person is still with us. So hearing about Williams only brings that memory to the forefront and my thoughts and prayers go out to the ones he left behind so suddenly.

I don’t want this to be a sad trip down memory lane. Instead we should think about the great things that we have been blessed with in our lives, remember the ones we lost, and cherish the ones who were not.

Robin Williams touched many lives in so many different ways. I remember his first appearance on Happy Days as Mork from Orc and couldn’t for the life of me figure out why he was introduced into a 50’s/60’s style sitcom.  I watched the first airing of his Mork and Mindy. If you ever saw the series, it opened with Mork hatching from an egg during the intro of every episode. At that very moment so many years ago, my youngest brother was literally birthed as Mork hatched out of his egg. It’s still a family joke all these years later.

I remember my brother doing a skit dressed as an old woman calling himself Mrs. Poutfire and the laughs we all get from mimicking Robin Williams.  The list goes on but unfortunately the list of his accomplishments will no longer continue. A new generation will know him for his roles in the past and our children will see him one last time in the third Night at the Museum film, then it’s memories forever.

From Mork and Mindy to Good Morning Vietnam, Good Will Hunting to The Dead Poets Society, we saw all kinds of personas for Robin Williams. Some made larger impacts on us than others but all left a memory.

Today we have lost a great comedian and it’s so sad that we only look deeper at depression and other issues when someone famous succumbs to it’s grip. Rest in peace Mr. Williams hopefully you will find it.

What are you memories of Robin Williams and how do you believe he should or will be remembered?