Just a quickie lil’ post here, to express what’s swirlin’ in my heart right now – a message that I want to deliver to the world.
I’m not going to delve into whatever opinion I have pertaining to the ethics surrounding suicide. I want to accentuate the goldennesses (not a word, but it is now) of people’s hearts. I’ll illustrate my thoughts with a certain recent event.
Shortly after coming home from work a couple of days ago, I read the news and found out that the brilliant artist Robin Williams died. “Apparent suicide” is how all the sources termed it. During the first few seconds of my news-swimming, my mind had a hard time ceasing to repeat This isn’t real… this isn’t real… When it finally sunk in that it was real, a humongous lump began forming in my throat. Tears formed in my eyes. I initially didn’t let those tears actually fall down my cheeks, though, because during these first few moments of emotion, I was telling myself that I was acting ridiculous by crying about this because it is a movie star, not a person I personally know; therefore, it was stupid for me to care so much.
But whatever, I said “to heck with it” and I permitted the waterfalls to commence their cascading. I requested validation from friends; I asked them to reassure me that my reaction to Mr. Williams’ death was acceptable. Quoting my friend Tracy: “Normally it would be silly, but this – this is an exception.” Not only Tracy, but all who responded to my inquiry agreed that to be deeply touched by this was rational, supportable, and relatable, in the sense that hundreds, if not thousands, if not millions feel the same way I do.
I think I’ve almost pinpointed why Mr. Williams’ passing is so meaningful to me. I, alongside much of the 20-to-35-ish-year-old demographic, grew up during some of the very best years of Mr. Williams’ career. This was a magnificent era. Within this era, my generation grasped the concept that this man – Robin Williams – was magic. When we saw him as Peter Pan and the great blue Genie, we were floored by how cool he was. From that time forth, we would never dismiss our admiration for him. He would forevermore remain a profound inspiration to us.
There are lots of actors out there whom we look at and go, “Oh…uh…yeah, I could take ‘em or leave ‘em.” These are they who could one day switch to some other career besides acting, and Hollywood and the rest of the universe would not be deprived in the slightest. But Mr. Williams? Nuh uh. He is someone who should not and could not ever be transplanted into that mediocre category. He had a knack and was born to act. He was born to lift people up the way he did. He was meant to be one of the great comedians to follow in the footsteps of folks like Bob Hope, and cheer up American soldiers across the oceans. He was meant to be a positive influence in my young life, from 6 years old onward.
I’ve read tributes from Mr. Williams’ loved ones, like fellow entertainer Steve Martin – tributes that repeatedly reported him to be an excellent friend. I think Steven Spielberg fondly referred to him as his “pal.” His family loves him and misses him to smithereens. His heart was described as “golden.”
Specific beliefs that I adhere to include these four:
1) I believe that God is real
2) I believe that God is literally our Father
3) I believe that God – our Heavenly Father – truly does love us in the best and most divine way possible, to infinity and beyond
4) I believe that when our mortal journey is through, we will meet Heavenly Father, face-to-face, pretty promptly (see Alma 40:11 in the Book of Mormon)
I picture in my head a meeting between Robin Williams and his Heavenly Father, who is God. I imagine that this meeting has happened by now. Back to the goldenness that a human heart can have, if what Mr. Williams’ loved ones said is true, concerning his benevolence… if it’s true that it was his nature to give love to others... then I do not doubt – not even for a nanosecond – that love could be felt profoundly in God’s and Robin’s meeting, even though Robin had his imperfections on earth, as we all presently do. In my mind I can see them embracing, as if to say, “I’ve missed you, and it’s wonderful to see you again.” It is my notion that Mr. Williams likely was able to sense that he means a lot to his Heavenly Father. Contemplating this helps me feel happier about the situation currently at hand. Contemplating the joyful reunion that any precious child has with their Heavenly Father upon proceeding from this life to the next helps me to find peace whenever it is my own loved one who is the graduate.
My trusty assistant in finding peace at any time in my own life is my remembrance that my Heavenly Father – who is Mr. Williams’ Heavenly Father and your Heavenly Father too – cares infinite boatloads about me and has a glorious plan for me. By “plan,” I guess you could say that I mean “destiny.” I am reminded of Heavenly Father’s guidance and love for me via the gentle power of the Holy Ghost.
If there’s anything that I’d wish for you to take away from reading this chunky hunk of essay chicken-scratch ;) it’s this:
- If you didn’t already know there’s such thing as God, let this be the day that you became aware
- If you did already know there’s such thing as God, but you didn’t know that He’s your Father, let this news be good tidings to you, because it is possibly the most beautiful learnable truth
- If you didn’t already know that God has a glorious plan for you, may that also be good tidings to you
- If you’ve never really known how to feel God’s sweet presence in your life, I want to let you know that prayer really works. It really does. Pinky promise. Prayer can be accomplished even by the tiniest of children. You can find a calm and quiet place, even if it’s just within the tranquility of your own soul. You can talk to God. He will always love to hear from you. Sincerely pray in the name of His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, who also loves you very, very much. Throughout and following your conversation, listen with your heart (I know that sounds like a line from Disney’s Pocahontas, but trust me on this one.)
Afterword
I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I grew up in this religion, and I’ve loved every day of my thousands and thousands of days of being associated with it. If you’d like to know more about it, feel free to visit the following sites:
