RIP Robin Williams

I generally write my blog posts in my head, as I’m biking home or stuck in traffic in my car. Tonight, I was writing about Will’s new obsession with movies. How much I love it. Like it makes me happy in a way that I find hard to explain. I was planning in my head the movies that I want to rent to bring up to the cottage next week on our vacation. (yes..I rent..from the library!). Now that he’s a bit older, and he handled Jurassic Park so well… I have Indiana Jones, Princess Bride, Wizard of Oz planned…all these amazing stories that he’s going to get to experience. And I’ll get to experience them all over again with him.

Then I was out for dinner and my phone flashed with news that Robin Williams had killed himself. Mork. Mrs. Doubtfire. Genie. John Keating. Another brilliant, creative mind taken by depression and addiction.

I suffer from depression. Thankfully, it’s mild but it’s always there. I was out to lunch with someone last week who has known me forever. ‘Sara. You are always so up. It’s awesome.’ I just laughed and said that he probably didn’t know that I have depression and anxiety issues. I’m not embarrassed to admit it. I have a great medication that may be screwing with my memory but it’s helping me deal and even out the rough patches.

Obviously Robin Williams’ issues ran much deeper.  The fact that he could spend so much of his life making people laugh and awe us with his talent, all while suffering so much that he ultimately couldn’t handle it any more, is devastating.

Harvey Fierstein tweeted this tonight. I took out the obvious word.  He is so right. Too many people aren’t finding their way out of the pit.

I can’t wait to introduce Will to so many of Robin Williams’ characters. So many films that he made that will stand the test of time.

But, I’ll also talk to him about depression and mental illness. I’ll make him aware. I realize that my depression is as much a part of me as my love of movies. I hope that Will only inherits one.  But if he ends up with both, I want him armed with the knowledge that it’s nothing to be ashamed of and can be overcome.

Enjoy the deserved peace Robin Williams. I hope you’re going to see about a girl….