Remembering Robin Williams – A star has gone out, but his light remains

Ever since the moment I read about the death of Robin Williams I’ve been trying to figure out why I feel the way I do. I’ve been extremely sad, even shedding tears.

Yes, I know this is a normal reaction to the loss of someone you care about. Sure I’ve seen several of his movies, and as a kid I watched Mork and Mindy—I was definitely a fan. But I didn’t know Robin Williams personally.

I didn’t know him to the point where I expected to feel his loss so profoundly.

And yet I do.

I’m not alone. I’ve read several articles, posts, and messages that highlight how many lives he’s touched. How, unknowingly, he helped so many escape from the gravitational pull of their own black hole.

I believe he was intended to be that gravitational pull—an incredible source of energy that had the strength to hold so many from falling over the edge and into the depths of their own despair.

Until he had no more strength left to give, even to himself.

Reading through so many heartfelt messages I’ve come to a conclusion about my own feelings: Robin Williams was a source of energy that pulled many people in, including me, and when that kind of energy disappears you can’t help but feel it.

In his life he was able to give many people what they needed to keep going—laughter and hope. Hope that if you can laugh at one man’s jokes, in the midst of your darkness, then maybe you can continue to laugh and smile. Hope that there are reasons to live and fight and keep pushing forward.

In his death I believe he’s meant to send an even more powerful message.

That one man can truly impact the world, even when trapped under a shadow of darkness.

Let his message resonate within you. You are important, you do make an impact, and your light does shine—even if you can’t see it for yourself.