Laughter Remembered

[Photo by Alice Herden. – Legal use licensed via Dreamstime - August 2014]

Robin Williams made me laugh.

He left me with a smile on my face long after the punchline. Robin had a gift that made life a little bit easier to confront for the rest of us. By all accounts, he was a kind, generous, and giving person. He brought visibility to charities and causes, gave hope to those in difficult circumstances, and entertained generations of people.

Now he’s gone, and the world’s a little darker place because of it.

However, the laughter will be remembered. It’s something we can carry with us in our hearts forever. And it’s something that we can pass along to cement his legacy and continue his efforts to reach out to others.

I'm doing it, and I hope you will, too. Remember the laughter and share it. Rest in peace, Robin. Make God laugh.

 Life can be hard to cope with sometimes. My father always said, “You often don’t have control over what happens to you in life, but you always have control over how you choose to react to it.”

Unfortunately, for those who suffer from chronic depression, the desire to react a certain way isn’t so easily available as it might be for others. If you feel that life is just too much for you to handle, don’t give in to a sense of despair. There are people around you who care about you and who want to help. Let them help you. That’s what loved ones are here for.

Finally, if all else fails, and you feel you’re at the end of your rope, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. It's a free, confidential call, and there are trained counselors who care and who truly know how to help you.

Be well.