Thoughts on Robin Williams

After a long struggle with depression actor and comedian, Robin Williams, took his own life. The man was a genius. As an actor he was both manic and sympathetic. He could make you laugh and make you cry and sometimes both at the same time. He was an inspiration for me to become a writer and to allow the consciousness to flow without limits.

That was truly his genius. No reservations. A complete investment in every role, in every joke, in every scene.

Dead Poets Society is my favorite movie. Period. It literally saved my life. An outcast, a writer, and an artist as a teen there were no role-models for me. I'm sure everyone figured I'd be another statistic; another sad but not quite unexpected headline in the local newspaper.

Then came Robin Williams. He was the teacher I never had. A mentor on the screen. I sat in that classroom. Walked those halls. Sat in the old cave reading Byron and Keats.

There was life in front of me that didn't involve a hockey rink or milking cows. I followed that dream. Seized the day. Sucked the marrow out of life.

Thank you Robin. Rest in peace.

Seize the day...because we are food for worms, lads. Because, believe it or not, each and every one of us in this room is one day going to stop breathing, turn cold and die.