I’ve been in a little bit of shock lately. It seems like these past few weeks everything in the news has been so much worse than usual. Times like this have a way of making you and me feel pretty helpless. Who are we? I’m not a soldier, or a doctor, or a politician. There’s not much I can do to really, physically change most of the things that are happening. You and I, by ourselves, cannot stop ISIS. We can’t cure Ebola. We can’t make two small countries stop blowing things up. We can’t stop people from getting shot. But can we save a life?
Some people are complaining about how much attention the death of beloved actor and comedian Robin Williams has received in light of everything else that is going on. And they are right. One man’s story might not be as important as nations’ and religions’.
But here’s the thing – you and I are pretty helpless when it comes to those huge, important stories. But you and I are not helpless when it comes to our friends.
Robin Williams had a Grammy invented for him. He was everything from Aladdin‘s silly Genie to Dead Poet Society‘s dramatic Professor Keating, Hook‘s inspiring Peter Pan, and laughable doctor Patch Adams. He won multiple Oscars and made a living by making countless people laugh.
He did more than just make movies, though. He performed comedy for troops in Iraq with USO. He would tell jokes on Steven Spielberg’s speakerphone during the filming of Schindler’s List. He was a friend to the Saint Jude Children’s Hospital, the nation of Israel, and the charity efforts of Comic Relief.
He was possibly the funniest, most joyful man of our time.
And he was killed by depression.
Maybe part of the reason Robin’s death is getting so much attention is because this is something you and I can help! If you have a friend you know is struggling, don’t let this be their story. If you are struggling, get help! Let’s do as much as we can to make sure others are saved from this terrible condition, and remember Robin like this. Bangarang.
