Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Farewell, Funny Man (Tribute to Robin Williams)


Like many, I could not believe the news yesterday when I heard that Robin Williams had been found dead from an apparent suicide.
 
I began to think back to when I first saw him on the television show, "Happy Days" as Mork, the alien, which then turned out to be a show of it's own, "Mork and Mindy". One of the things I loved about that show was the fact that, before it finished it's run on the air, they brought on the late, Jonathan Winters, to be on the show as well. He, like Robin, was one of the funniest people I had ever seen on television and I ALWAYS laughed at his antics.
 
Another memory I have of Robin Williams is an appearance on "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson". When Robin was introduced he didn't sit down for, probably close to five minutes. Why? Because he was running all over the place...up in the audience, grabbing people up and doing something silly with them and then down to the main floor and grabbing a camera while he was in front of it and doing silly stuff the whole time. My wife and were laughing so hard we were literally crying. Johnny Carson had a stunned look on his face but, at the same time, was laughing as well.
 
HOW DOES SUCH A FUNNY PERSON BECOME DEPRESSED AND LONELY TO THE POINT OF SUICIDE?
 
Answer: It happens more than we know.
 
From what I understand, fame is not all that it's cracked up to be. Many wish for fame and then wish they didn't have it once it arrives. Many wish for privacy once fame arrives and, because they ARE famous, privacy is something hard to come by.
 
Are your friends really friends? Are they there because they like YOU or YOUR MONEY and YOUR FAME? If you lost it all, would they still be around? Sadly, many a famous person has found themselves alone once the fame was gone.
 
Hey, comedians are SUPPOSED to be funny, right? And, they're supposed to be funny ALL OF THE TIME! It's expected!
 
How hard that must be.
 
Friend, don't assume anything about anyone at any time.
 
Don't assume that someone "CAN'T" have problems because "of who they are". EVERYONE has struggles and feelings - regardless of their "position" in life. We all do. We all hurt. We all cry. We all seek "connection", love and acceptance.
 
And friend, if YOU are one that finds themselves on the side of being lonely - even when surrounded by people - please talk to someone! Find someone that will listen, even if it's calling a national hotline. You are valuable! You are important! And, friend, YOU ARE NEEDED IN THIS WORLD!
 
"As long as there is breath, there is hope!"
 
I posted a picture featuring this hotline number on the FYU page on Facebook (link found below), but I wanted to post the number here as well for those that may need it.

 (EVERYONE, share this information TODAY! You NEVER know who may see this that NEEDS to see this very thing!!!)
 
NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE:
1-800-273-8255
Your call is free and confidential, and will be answered by a trained counselor
at a local crisis center.
 

I want to close with the following words from a song by "Smokey Robinson and the Miracles" that was released in the United States on September 24, 1970. The song: "Tears of a Clown"

Now there's some sad things known to man
But ain't too much sadder than the tears of a clown
When there's no one around

Thanks for taking the time to read and to share. I invite you to also be sure to listen to, and share, the podcast via the link(s) below.

Until next time, friend, be sure to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike




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