Robin Williams (1951 - 2014)
"No one could possibly understand the depths of you. But you presume to know everything about me... because you saw a painting of mine"
"Good Will Hunting"
How sad am I this morning ... to learn of Robin William's passing. While it came suddenly like a lightning bolt out of the blue to the world of his admirers... it's occurrence comes not quite as a complete surprise. Robin was a complex individual. He was at times a community of personalities embedded in one body... with each trying to emerge and to separate from the others. Such a conflict cannot be understood... except by those who themselves have lived for too long in the shadow of that curse. Strangely... insanity and creative genius seem to share the same bed.
The words of Bobby Goldsboro's 1964 first hit... "See the Funny Little Clown" best summarize the plight of such individuals:
See the funny little clown
The way he smiles all the time.
No one knows he's cryin'...
No one knows he's dyin...
On the inside
No one knows... No one knows
Those lyrics are not so true in my own case in these latter years. I felt the truth of them... as I played and sang those lyrics myself in 1964. I have come to understand them well... and better than most. Sometimes "the gift"... can ironically... and in the same breath... be "the curse" in one's existence. Too often... the laughing face on the outside in no way resembles actual deep and relentlessly searing pain of the interior resident.
I have found ... or perhaps better choice of words... "made" Peace with my Self. Fortunately, for "Me"... years of therapy.... a medication regimen that works for me... my Art... the consistent influence and love of key family members... and now Deb have encouraged me to step off the gerbil wheel... and "to be".. just Bruce! No need to be everything and everyone else I had convinced myself was required of me.
"I"... am greatly blessed!
I leave these words I penned as a eulogy that I delivered at the funeral of a best friend nearly thirty years ago... as a personal tribute to Robin. They are appropriate for both occasions:
Shooting Star
Unexpected...
Suddenly -
Across the darkened fabric of Infinity,
Defying the limitless blackness... mattering not about being seen.
Bent upon a brief... yet blazing journey -
Gone!
But etched forever into the hearts and Being...
Of Those... who search together for Light
And Truth.
Farewell.
"Some people can never believe in themselves... until someone believes in them."
-"Good Will Hunting"
Share your Light.... and Love!
I, too, am sad today about the loss of this wonderful man. From everything I've read by those closest to him, he was a genuine caring person, no movie star, no huge ego, just Robin (in all his personalities). It saddens me that he gave so much joy to so many that he had none left for himself. Beautiful comments and poem, Bruce. Thanks so much for sharing them.
ReplyDeleteGood afternoon Rhonda... Few of us can ever hope to leave such an enduring legacy of craft entwined with love and Humanity.
ReplyDeleteEach of us can... however... pass along our love and share our own truth with others we meet... in exactly the same fashion that we are here in this blogging connection. That matters!
Thank you for taking the time to connect and to comment!
Good Painting!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
I vaguely remember the Bobby Goldsboro song but you've hit the nail on the head with your thoughts and reprint of these lyrics. I feel they absolutely describe myself too. Unfortunately, I've not been able to find that peace for myself that you have been blessed with. I found myself with a deep understanding of what led to this when reading another article just this morning. Could so easily be me. I am grateful for Robin Williams' work. He has brought me laughter, something that I often do not find.
ReplyDeleteGood morning Sherry!... Thank you for responding so personally and sensitively to this post!
ReplyDeleteThere is a bit of Robin Williams in each of us. Vulnerability lies in hiding within each of us.. as we wait in fear of being "discovered". Few have the courage of Robin Williams to openly discuss the blackness and to offer the kind of insight and wisdom tht s films revealed.
It is his powerful and enabling sense of Humanity that I shall miss most. I have laughed and cried with him.... he made my own efforts to recover less lonely!
Much Peace to you Sherry!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
A wonderful post Bruce!...
ReplyDeleteThank you as always for taking the time to leave such lovely comments on my blog.
Cheers,
Helen
Good morning Helen!....Thank you for your visit!
ReplyDeleteYour paintings always elicit warmth ... honesty and joy. I shall return often!
Good Painting!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
A very moving post. I've nothing to say 'cept 'Nanoo nanoo' - the way I will remember him best.
ReplyDeleteGood morning Lisa!... "Nanoo nanoo"... says it all perhaps in two words. He spoke in his own language... and through all of his many voices... we all understood beyond his sheer silliness and his lunacy... his deep and abiding sense of Humanity.
ReplyDeleteWe all are better for his being here.
Thanks for responding with your own reminiscence Lisa. I had forgotten those two words.
Good Painting... amd Mothering!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
Bruce, I am glad that you have faced down your personal demons. I still have a few wandering about that I must deal with.
ReplyDeleteMay Robin rest in peace.
A very meaningful post, my friend.
Dear Dean!.... We all have demons and dilemmas which remain ongoing challenges in our lives. Hopefully... our creative spirits add those "checks n' balances for us during those black times.
ReplyDeleteFor "Me"... my painting and my Faith... "leadeth me beside still waters..." and it never fails to..., restoreth my soul".
I am glad that the post had meaning for you too Dean!
Rich Blessings and Peace,
Warmest regards,
Bruce
I used to do a song by Vince Gill called " Go Rest High On That Mountain".
ReplyDeleteThe opening verse is:
"I know your life
On earth was troubled
And only you could know the pain
You weren't afraid to face the devil
You were no stranger to the rain"
It was written for another singer who had passed on by his own hand.
I agree, Bruce...My art and Faith carry me through.
Good evening Dean!... I always knew that we shared many common elements in our lives.
ReplyDeleteWe're both in safe hands... with our Faith... and our Art is a mighty weapon we have been blessed to carry and use in our lives!
Keep the Faith!... and... Never give up the ship!
Rich Blessings and Much Peace Dean!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
so true, and Joan Rivers, too. Heaven just became a little funnier.
ReplyDeleteHi there Mary... It will be quite a "Tonight Show" in Paradise this evening... featuring Johnny... and his guests Robin and Joan... outrageously disrespectful - nothin' will be sacred! HA HA!!
ReplyDeleteWe'll miss them... but the world is better for their having been here with us!
Good Painting!
Warmest regards,
Bruce