Now, let me preface this by saying that I don't usually get very worked up about celebrity deaths. Sure, it's a bummer, even more so when their lives end tragically due to drug use or something, but I don't know them. It's always felt like the kind of raw emotion that comes with grief should be reserved for, I don't know... fathers and grandparents and uncles and childhood friends.
But... Robin Williams. He's... legend. It seemed as though there was nothing he couldn't do. Everyone in my generation grew up with this bigger-than-life character that made it cool to be wickedly funny and act like a grown-up goofball. The generations before us got to know and love him as a comedian with impeccable timing, and a cute and charming alien. I implore you to find someone born in the 80s who didn't cackle maniacally while watching Mrs. Doubtfire. On repeat. Until the VHS broke. And then you'd just watch it when it was on cable. Even twenty years after its release, I still find myself quoting the movie, with a "HELLOOOOOOOOO!" here and a "It was a drive-by fruiting!" there.
Robin Williams brought every character he played to life. Not many actors are able to successfully transition from comedy to drama and back, but he did so effortlessly. Actors of this era are and will be hard-pressed to find themselves with a portfolio as varied and remarkable as Robin Williams.
I say all this to say that his death has hit me pretty hard. Robin Williams was always one of the untouchables, you know? He would live forever. He had to, right? Because who else would be Robin Williams when he wasn't? We need a Robin Williams in the world, and sadly, we don't have one anymore.
The circumstances of his death make it that much harder to bear. Reports are saying that cause of death was suicide by asphyxiation. I know firsthand what the depths of depression feel like, and it is no laughing matter. To think that such an outwardly vibrant, lively man was struggling with these kinds of demons is heartbreaking in and of itself; to think that he found death to be his only means of achieving peace even more so. I can only imagine the profound grief his family is experiencing right now and hope that they are able to find their own sense of peace someday. I hope that they know that the entire world is grieving with them right now.
Today, as I sit and reflect on my Whole30 experience for the day, I will remember the spirit of Robin Williams. I will remember that one of the greatest gifts we can share with one another is laughter, and realize that working hard to stay happy and healthy is one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves. The past 23 days have set me firmly on that path and not only do I hope for many happy years ahead of me, but I look forward to sharing love and laughter with those around me for many many years to come.
I close with some words of wisdom from the late Mr. Williams himself:
Robin McLaurin Williams
(1951-2014)
What I Ate:
Breakfast: two hard-boiled eggs, cucumbers, an orange, and some nuts
Lunch: veggie beef soup, bell pepper strips, carrots
Dinner: turkey burger sans bun, with mustard, onion, and tomato, some pickles, and some extra tomato slices.
How I Feel:
Other than kind of devastated... pretty good. I slept well last night and have had a fair amount of energy today. I am excited about how close to the end we are (One week from today we are FINISHED!) Hooray!
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