Creative, Funny, Depressed, Dead

Robin Williams will be missed by many.

Remembering Williams' portrayal as Mork is still a joy. I can remember no performance of his that was not good, always enjoyable. Even his bit part as a palace guard in Hamlet brought a smile to my face as he stood in the palace halls, just looking straight ahead. Williams' look at life was a "gotcha" look, a portrait of the character he was playing. His characters were believable; funny or serious, he played them well. He was that character.

Unfortunately, his part as a person, a father, a husband, a friend was not a stellar performance. His personal struggles finally overwhelmed him. He left the stage too soon. 63 is young. Perhaps he can still serve us in his death. Depression is treatable; it is not to be ignored.

It is reported that Williams was severely depressed. Everyone around him seemed to know that. Why was nothing done? Would those who knew him or worked with him have done nothing if he showed up with a severed arm? Depression is real; depression is devastating; depression is deadly.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 10 Americans suffer from depression.

Now, what are we going to do about it?

Rest in Peace, Robin Williams.