My First Memory of Robin Williams and My Own Battle with Depression

I have fond memories of Robin Williams. I remember when Mr. Williams played Mork on Mork and Mindy (1978-1982) and I do remember watching the show.

That’s where I learned how to do my Mork impersonation (Na-Nu Na-Nu). I thought I was the only person who could do the special trick that Mork did with his fingers. My grandmother Ruby, bought me a Mork and Mindy doll and oh, how I loved those dolls.

I shared that memory because that is my first memory of Robin Williams and the rest is history. Any movie that I have ever seen Robin Williams in,  I have always enjoyed it.

It is unfortunate that Robin Williams (1951-2014) succumbed to the depression that he was battling. Regardless of the circumstances surrounding his death, he will go down in history as one of the greatest artists of his time.

My Battle with Depression

If you live long enough you will experience depression. Some of us experience it and work our way through it, while others just can’t shake depression.

A cloud of depression was over me for six years. It was something, I just couldn’t shake.  I was smiling on the outside, but on the inside, I was full of despair. I thought I would never climb out of the dark hole of depression, but thank God for saving me.

I was very depressed after I fully understood what it meant to have a child with Trisomy 21. Every time, I would see a ‘normal functioning’ child I would get sad and sometimes burst into tears (I cried privately), because my child would never, ever function like other children.

There were times, when I didn’t think life was worth living. One day, I woke up and turned on the light; I was tired of feeling sad. The light revealed that life is worth living and that my daughter is a gift from the creator no matter how she came packaged.

The light lite up my spirit and I came back to life.  I would be lying if I said I don’t feel bad sometimes, but the difference now is that I deal with the feelings immediately and move on. My daughter has a way of making me smile from the inside out.  “How can anyone not love a face like that; such a sweet and loving soul.” The bad feelings I felt, suddenly melt away and I forget why I even felt bad in the first place.

If it weren’t for my husband and the prayers and support of a few people, I would have lost it and I probably wouldn’t be here today. Most people didn’t know that I was suffering, because I never showed it. Having support makes the biggest difference in the world.

Final Words

When we know that those close to us are battling depression, we should do all that we can to help them. There is nothing wrong with recommending professional help and please don’t be hesitant in doing so.  Whatever it takes to save them is what it takes. Don’t ignore the signs, because you just might save that person’s life.

We never know what others are going through and oftentimes people do a good job hiding how they really feel. They may be laughing on the outside, while the inside is a river filled to the brim with tears, hurt and pain.

If you ever notice someone in a an extended state of depression, please do something to help them. Your taking notice and being there for the person can mean the difference between life and death.

My condolences go out to the family and friends of Robin Williams (1951-2014).

Until next time….