You're only given a little spark of madness...

Yesterday Bryan and I were out running errands and mom texted me that Robin Williams had died.

She texted me a few details as she heard it on the news and stuff.

...

What a sad thing.

There have been a lot of "famous" people lately who have done things like this, but this one feels different to me.

Maybe it's because Robin Williams was like a staple of my childhood.

Maybe it's because when I think of him I think of the Genie and Mrs Doubtfire and Jumanji and Hook.

I think about the first time I saw him standing up on that desk in Dead Poet's Society when Mr Rich showed it to us in high school.

...

The saddest thing to me is to know that he suffered from devastating depression.

I think sometimes when "normal people" have depression it's easy to think things like "well yeah all those money problem they're having would be really tough to get through!"

or "I know this is a huge struggle for her, but if she could just get herself up and dressed and out the door every day I know it would help."

or whatever...

...

But to see such an incredibly successful person (who in many minds had everything to live for) suffer so tragically from this disease really highlights that it's just that- a disease.

It's not just about being overwhelmed by day to day problems or whatever. It's a disease.

And it's sad.

And I hope that maybe Robin Williams' passing will remind us of that...

... and remind us that we really never know what someone else is going through, so to just be a little more patient with those around us.

This article is worth reading... Robin Williams: Finding the Silver Lining

I keep thinking of this poem... I analyzed it in Mr Rich's class back in 11th grade, but I've never forgotten it.

We Wear the Mask

BY PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR

We wear the mask that grins and lies,

It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,—

This debt we pay to human guile;

With torn and bleeding hearts we smile,

And mouth with myriad subtleties.

Why should the world be over-wise,

In counting all our tears and sighs?

Nay, let them only see us, while

       We wear the mask.

We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries

To thee from tortured souls arise.

We sing, but oh the clay is vile

Beneath our feet, and long the mile;

But let the world dream otherwise,

       We wear the mask!