Robin Williams
my personal thoughts30 total reviews
Comment from judiverse
You have a great analysis of the reasons people use humor. I never saw "Good Morning, Vietnam," but loved "Mrs. Doubtfire" and my favorite "Dead Poets Society." Sometimes physical comedy is a little too much for me sometimes. It is a tragedy that someone with his talent and resources couldn't overcome the mental illness that caused him to take his life. I read yesterday that he had Parkinson's disease, which might have been the final straw. I didn't feel the personal connection that you developed and show so well in this post, perhaps because I wasn't familiar with his TV work and saw him mostly in movies. judi
reply by the author on 15-Aug-2014
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You have a great analysis of the reasons people use humor. I never saw "Good Morning, Vietnam," but loved "Mrs. Doubtfire" and my favorite "Dead Poets Society." Sometimes physical comedy is a little too much for me sometimes. It is a tragedy that someone with his talent and resources couldn't overcome the mental illness that caused him to take his life. I read yesterday that he had Parkinson's disease, which might have been the final straw. I didn't feel the personal connection that you developed and show so well in this post, perhaps because I wasn't familiar with his TV work and saw him mostly in movies. judi
Comment Written 15-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 15-Aug-2014
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Asking a person to overcome mental illness is like asking a doctor to cure himself of cancer. Maybe there just isn't a cure for a person's despair or the strain of cell-eating disease. Looking for a reason for an occurrence a tragic as Robin William's death, is our attempt to create order in our world. If we can figure out a palatable reason, we can file it and never think about it again
I have it filed somewhere near X-files--a drawer filled with unexplained and unknown cases that defy my intellect and logic. Who knows, maybe life isn't worth living, but most of us have no comparison and continue to breathe habitually.
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Yes, we do look for explanations for why these tragedies happen, and as you say we may never know the answers. Robin Williams--may he have found peace. judi
Comment from GWHARGIS
I'm a lot like you. I laugh to keep gong. I see somehing humorous in every situation. When someone is yelling at me, I picure my self spinning them around, pantsing them and pushing them out the door. It's very stupid and childish, but hey, it works. Robin's death was a very sad and vey hard to believe situation. Great essay.
reply by the author on 15-Aug-2014
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I'm a lot like you. I laugh to keep gong. I see somehing humorous in every situation. When someone is yelling at me, I picure my self spinning them around, pantsing them and pushing them out the door. It's very stupid and childish, but hey, it works. Robin's death was a very sad and vey hard to believe situation. Great essay.
Comment Written 14-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 15-Aug-2014
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It is sad continues to be sad. Thanks for the visit.
Comment from Jumbo J
Hi Ingrid,
if love is a drug than laughter is an aphrodisiac and one I use in any way I can to stay on top of the other side of manic... to take your life in such a manner as RW did, he must of been over fighting it any longer... the thing is--no one knows the deep seated nature of anyone's tortured mind... let alone someone suffering mental disruptions, but I think the crux may have been the added weight of finding out he was in the first stages of Parkinson's... can't say I wouldn't have done the same... no matter we have lost a very special human being who I can never see being replaced... one who has lightened many a burden from countless people by his quick wit and infectious humor... time to rest RW-- your job is done here.
Thanks for the homage you pay to a man who used his brand of humor to brighten up the days of those that couldn't.
With our thoughts we create,
a buffer,
James xx
reply by the author on 14-Aug-2014
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Hi Ingrid,
if love is a drug than laughter is an aphrodisiac and one I use in any way I can to stay on top of the other side of manic... to take your life in such a manner as RW did, he must of been over fighting it any longer... the thing is--no one knows the deep seated nature of anyone's tortured mind... let alone someone suffering mental disruptions, but I think the crux may have been the added weight of finding out he was in the first stages of Parkinson's... can't say I wouldn't have done the same... no matter we have lost a very special human being who I can never see being replaced... one who has lightened many a burden from countless people by his quick wit and infectious humor... time to rest RW-- your job is done here.
Thanks for the homage you pay to a man who used his brand of humor to brighten up the days of those that couldn't.
With our thoughts we create,
a buffer,
James xx
Comment Written 14-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 14-Aug-2014
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Great excuse, but one I don't accept, one that belittles my respect--as if that matters. Not a chance that RW died, killed himself because of some prognosis. He meant to punish people by dying slowly tightening the belt, inch by inch--desperately screaming, demanding love as he struggled for breath, notching, choking himself to death, tightening the belt until he couldn't any more.
The coroner said it was a prolonged death. This man felt his last breath.
Putting it in some perspective, I can picture his despair, his absolute surrender could have found a safety zone, a place to sort through despair, but I wasn't part of his life And now, he is dead--gone forever, and regardless of my appreciation and best wishes, I didn't make a difference--not that life--no matter how I benefitted from his life. He made a difference in mine.
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See, the thing is I'm a bit of a conspiracy theorist... the only way anyone is going to know how this man died--is him, or maybe someone else who tightened the final notches on the belt... all I know is we lost probably one of our greatest ever comedians and actors... and when it comes down to it, that's all that counts... and believe me, he made a difference in mine as well. Love you sweet lady xx
PS don't know what happened to the email... I wrote a letter... but never the less received your edit and was so grateful for the guidance...I'll get back to you to explain further... but I told you that in the missing text... you are a true Spiritual Echo xx
Comment from DALLAS01
Again, I repeat and understand-- it's a defence system, to save me from wallowing in my losses. Laughter is just another form of self-medication. It's cheaper, less harmful than booze or drugs, and our friend used it liberally to try and fix the things his audience could not see.
The very thing that catapulted this comedian to fame is the thing that abandoned him in the end. I suspect that Mr. Williams couldn't find anything funny about his life anymore.
If one is truly observant, they can probably pick out friends and acquaintances who use this mechanism to cover up their own pain, or often what they see as their own inadequacies. Mix in drugs and alcohol and you have a damn
time bomb waiting to be triggered.
This article is a tribute not only to Robin, but it is a wake up call that identifies those factors that contribute to the tragedy of a despair so great, and so well masked, that suicide, for perhaps only a fleeting moment, appears to be the only way out.
reply by the author on 14-Aug-2014
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Again, I repeat and understand-- it's a defence system, to save me from wallowing in my losses. Laughter is just another form of self-medication. It's cheaper, less harmful than booze or drugs, and our friend used it liberally to try and fix the things his audience could not see.
The very thing that catapulted this comedian to fame is the thing that abandoned him in the end. I suspect that Mr. Williams couldn't find anything funny about his life anymore.
If one is truly observant, they can probably pick out friends and acquaintances who use this mechanism to cover up their own pain, or often what they see as their own inadequacies. Mix in drugs and alcohol and you have a damn
time bomb waiting to be triggered.
This article is a tribute not only to Robin, but it is a wake up call that identifies those factors that contribute to the tragedy of a despair so great, and so well masked, that suicide, for perhaps only a fleeting moment, appears to be the only way out.
Comment Written 14-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 14-Aug-2014
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We have both brushed the hem of mental illness. Can you see how it could have helped if someone had told your husband to 'get a grip,' or that he was weak. Aahh...there's much that people, let alone doctors, don't understand. But try living in that despair...
Thanks for the stars, doll.
Comment from jmdg1954
I was shocked to hear the other day of Robin Wiliam's death. I was stunned further when the suicide information was reported. He will be missed. Such a gifted comedian. He always had me in stitches with my stomach muscles aching from laughing so much.
Expertly written. John
reply by the author on 13-Aug-2014
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I was shocked to hear the other day of Robin Wiliam's death. I was stunned further when the suicide information was reported. He will be missed. Such a gifted comedian. He always had me in stitches with my stomach muscles aching from laughing so much.
Expertly written. John
Comment Written 13-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 13-Aug-2014
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If you heard the details, you probably realize or heard that it was a prolonged death, with a belt attached fro his neck to a closet, after an attempt to slit his wrists. If I was going to do it, my tools would be drugs and booze. This really sounds like he meant to punish someone, a spur of the moment. It is all so very sad.
Comment from barbara.wilkey
Wow! This is a very powerful write. I am one who will miss Robin Williams as I know will. He used to do USO shows for the deployed troops. I know how valuable his humor was to those troops. Thank you for sharing.
reply by the author on 13-Aug-2014
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Wow! This is a very powerful write. I am one who will miss Robin Williams as I know will. He used to do USO shows for the deployed troops. I know how valuable his humor was to those troops. Thank you for sharing.
Comment Written 13-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 13-Aug-2014
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Thanks for sharing the moment.
Comment from CHIGYSISKI
I LIKE THIS WRITE-UP.IT IS NEVER POSSIBLE TO REALLY UNDERSTAND MENTAL ILLNESS AND MANIC-DEPRESSIVE ILLNESS (BIPOLAR AFFECTIVE DISORDER) IS ONE. FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSERS, THERE IS AN ATTEMPT TO REMOVE THE GROSS EMPTINESS OR HOLLOW IN ONE'S LIFE. RIP ROBIN! YOU WILL BE SORELY MISSED.
reply by the author on 13-Aug-2014
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I LIKE THIS WRITE-UP.IT IS NEVER POSSIBLE TO REALLY UNDERSTAND MENTAL ILLNESS AND MANIC-DEPRESSIVE ILLNESS (BIPOLAR AFFECTIVE DISORDER) IS ONE. FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSERS, THERE IS AN ATTEMPT TO REMOVE THE GROSS EMPTINESS OR HOLLOW IN ONE'S LIFE. RIP ROBIN! YOU WILL BE SORELY MISSED.
Comment Written 13-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 13-Aug-2014
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He surely wil. thanks.
Comment from amada
Thank you for posting this beautiful essay. Thinking about this tragedy for days, trying to make sense to this tragedy. Sadness has no color.
reply by the author on 13-Aug-2014
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Thank you for posting this beautiful essay. Thinking about this tragedy for days, trying to make sense to this tragedy. Sadness has no color.
Comment Written 13-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 13-Aug-2014
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I don't think anyone can make sense of this, but perhaps it softens our understanding towards other still alive who suffer.
Comment from Carolyn 'Deaton' Stephens
Thank you for sharing your story and thoughts about robin Williams. He was a favorite of many of us. There were scenes in the movie 'Patch Adams', where his own depressive pain did not appear to be an actor, acting, ie; standing at the edge of the precipice.
Nicely done, Carolyn
reply by the author on 13-Aug-2014
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Thank you for sharing your story and thoughts about robin Williams. He was a favorite of many of us. There were scenes in the movie 'Patch Adams', where his own depressive pain did not appear to be an actor, acting, ie; standing at the edge of the precipice.
Nicely done, Carolyn
Comment Written 13-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 13-Aug-2014
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I'd have to believe, just as we, as writers, always leave a piece of ourselves in a piece of fiction we write, so do actors, taking on a role. Thanks.
Comment from Ekim777
An interesting read. I have long suspected that pain and laughter are two sides of the same coin. The greatest victims of pain and sorrow are the most capable of making us laugh because they are in tune with humanity, all humanity, including their own. Was there ever a greater writer of tragedy than Dostoevsky or Eugene o' Neil? But when they turn on the humor, in the midst of pain, they can make me laugh until I split my sides. I don't know why Williams gave in to his morbid depression. I only know that it was his humor that made him a great man. Humor reminds us that we are so damned human. -Ekim777
reply by the author on 13-Aug-2014
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An interesting read. I have long suspected that pain and laughter are two sides of the same coin. The greatest victims of pain and sorrow are the most capable of making us laugh because they are in tune with humanity, all humanity, including their own. Was there ever a greater writer of tragedy than Dostoevsky or Eugene o' Neil? But when they turn on the humor, in the midst of pain, they can make me laugh until I split my sides. I don't know why Williams gave in to his morbid depression. I only know that it was his humor that made him a great man. Humor reminds us that we are so damned human. -Ekim777
Comment Written 13-Aug-2014
reply by the author on 13-Aug-2014
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I believe his humor helped him survive this long.
