There’s never been a time when he wasn’t there. Like air, like water, like family, Robin Williams and his manic genius was simply there. Few can claim such a prolific body of work. Very few thespians have enjoyed acclaim as both comedian and dramatic actor. Certainly he was of the caliber of artist where a resume was unnecessary. His credentials are etched in the imaginations of billions. An artist for Children of All Ages and all nations, such is the transcending power of laughter. I simply cannot recall a time when he was not apart of my life. I first saw him in Popeye many years ago. As a child I reckon I shared the same elation for the mighty, spinach-munching sailor that any kid did. If you ask me the last thing I saw him in, it would be impossible. As far as I’m concerned he was in everything. Robin Williams was a force, which is why so many of us mourn his passing. Like a cherished member of the family we adore, but take for granted, after all, they’re always there, right? Enraptured in the haze of their brilliance it is easy to forget that despite those gifts and the fortunes they may bring, like us, they are just people.

This one hurt. “Shock” is indeed the sentiment, perhaps the best way to describe what so many of us feel. The man, who evoked a million smiles and a million more hearty laughs, is gone. As entertainers we are tasked with transcending reality, in spite of ourselves. No matter what you believe or claim not to believe, in every single human heart is a yearning for the transcendent. The artist causes us to want more, more hope, more change, more romance, more strength, more joy, more laughter, more…

Robin Williams made me want more of that electric, seemingly endless barrage of enthusiasm that defined his body of work, heck even his interviews. I like so many of you rejoice in the treasure trove of great work he left behind and like so many of you I mourn for the Robin only his family and intimate friends knew. The Robin only he knew, the Robin behind the laughter and the raw genius, the Robin of fewer smiles. No one has it all. As a dear friend once told me, “if everyone were to meet in a square and lay their burdens down I assure you there’d be no exchanges, we’d all return with what we have.”

 

Hopefully, we won’t allow our neighbors to return to their burdens alone. Hopefully, in our own corner of the world we can lighten the load for others and find the help we may need ourselves. I urge you, whoever you maybe, none of us are that strong. REACH OUT!

 Dearest Robin, thank you for the joy. May you find the peace you so desperately deserve.

 

 It’s your dream, it’s your voice, make it BIG!

© 2014