We'll Miss You, Robin

Since PA is a family, and family shares not just the good but also the bad, I felt a need to post this. The news is so fresh tonight, and he's on our minds and so deeply in our hearts, I thought i'd give us a place to talk about Robin Williams. Feel free to post your own thoughts and comments.

Since 1978, Robin has been in our lives, providing us comedy that made us laugh til we cried, and drama that touched our souls. It is that mastery of theater that makes us feel like he was such a big part of our culture. And its why we are so stunned at today's events and why so many millions will miss him.

For my part, I believe in Heaven. I believe in an afterlife. And I believe that's where he is. So, I pray for him a safe journey there, and the peace and healing that he apparently couldn't find in this world.

And I send my prayers for his loved ones. Having lost my own son almost 4 months ago to the day, I know how their hearts feel tonight. I pray for them that they have much support and love in the days ahead, and much healing and peace. I also pray for love and peace for Robin's fans as they all grieve his sudden loss.

I'm at a doctor's office right now, and the lobby is nearly full because several doctors share the same area. It was fairly noisy with chatting and the nurses and all. But CNN just played a clip from each and every single role Robin was in, and I've never felt a room get so quiet and so serious as rapidly as this one did. It was like the entirety of that patients and nurses and all just couldn't help but look and remember and feel just what we lost yesterday.

Robin Williams touched lives across the globe and he was one of my idols. I feel like I lost a large chunk of my childhood but he would want us to remember his life and laugh instead of focus on his death, like his wife said.

Personally, I think there is always potential to take a negative situation and turn it around for good.

I sincerely hope that we as a society get past minimizing depression and start addressing it properly and how pervasive and destructive it can be.

You're right, Matt. His legacy of work should stand for itself, for its brilliance. However, neither should his passing be in vain for others who have felt the same pain. This needs to not ever happen again. Not ever.

O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done,
The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won,
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring;
                        But O heart! heart! heart!
                           O the bleeding drops of red,
                              Where on the deck my Captain lies,
                                 Fallen cold and dead.

O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells;
Rise up—for you the flag is flung—for you the bugle trills,
For you bouquets and ribbon’d wreaths—for you the shores a-crowding,
For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning;
                        Here Captain! dear father!
                           This arm beneath your head!
                              It is some dream that on the deck,
                                You’ve fallen cold and dead.

My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still,
My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will,
The ship is anchor’d safe and sound, its voyage closed and done,
From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won;
                        Exult O shores, and ring O bells!
                           But I with mournful tread,
                              Walk the deck my Captain lies,
                                 Fallen cold and dead.