Yesterday, we lost a brilliant human being full of talent and compassion, Robin Williams. This man changed television viewing for my husband and me while in our twenties. Thursday nights became a celebration of laughter with his presence in Mork and Mindy. What raw talent and intelligent wit he portrayed. His acting career was filled with warmth and depth of the vast wealth of talent he brought to a role. I am so very grateful for the joy and intelligence this talented man brought into the homes across the country.

It was heartbreaking to read that it was severe depression that resulted in the choice he made to leave this world. He was so courageous to bring light to the serious problem of depression and mental illness. Hopefully in our lifetime mental illness will lose its insidious stigma. It is an illness like cancer and diabetes. It deserves to be viewed without stigma. One does not make a conscious choice to be depressed. It is a chemical imbalance in the brain. It is not a weakness in a person’s character, but just the opposite as it takes great courage to fight this disease and get proper treatment. He certainly had been in treatment.

Thank you Robin Williams for the joy and talent you brought over the years. Thank you also for the courage you had in speaking about your disease. I pray you rest in peace. I pray also that the medical community and spokespeople for this disease will educate everyone on the importance of dealing with this disease with the utmost respect it deserves.

This image moves me with its contrast of light and shadows, and I found it appropriate to use today.

“There is no point treating a depressed person as though she were just feeling sad, saying, 'There now, hang on, you'll get over it.' Sadness is more or less like a head cold- with patience, it passes. Depression is like cancer.” ~Barbara Kingsolver

Peace.