Sometimes I say things that are not phrased the best. Initially I started this by saying “death is a funny thing(as in peculiar)” After typing it I immediately deleted it. Death is not a funny thing, death is permanent, final. Death is not funny.

When someone dies a great many things happen. People cry, people send condolences, they pay tribute, they mourn. Some think on the past, others try not to dwell. A lot of it stems from the circumstances of their death. Suicide. Suicide is one of those topics discussed so delicately. Some say it’s a permanent solution to a temporary problem, others say it’s a cowards way out. I say, nothing. I won’t go into my personal experiences with this topic on my blog, but I can say one thing. We don’t know why. We will never know the why. “Oh he was rich, he was famous he was blah blah blah” He was a person. A person with feelings and difficulties just the same as anyone else. 

My facebook and twitter blew up with condolences and praise. Actor, comedian, comedian, actor. Laughs, funny, Peter Pan, Jack, Mrs.Doubtfire, Genie. Don’t get me wrong these are all sentimental things for me too. I grew up with his works. He made me laugh, and cry, and feel all manner of emotions as I grew into an adult. It wasn’t until I grew up that I learned about his problems. We view these men and women not as people, but as skills and traits. Objectified to entertainment entities. That was his job, it may have been his passion/hobby, but was it who he was? He was a comedian yes, a great one. He was an actor, a fabulous actor at that. But first and foremost he was a man. Just a man. He was also a son(though his parents passed quite some time ago). He was a husband, a father, a brother, and a friend.. Now I obviously didn’t know him, but I wish I did. I have heard and read many great things about him over the years. How good of a person he was, how much he did to help others. He was a good man. A good person. He was more than the sum of his accomplishments though they were great. Sometimes that becomes a burden in it’s own right. 

I will remember him as the man.

Robin, I will pray for you and your family this evening. May whatever burden that caused this be put to rest and may you find peace.