Most people would say I'm easily emotional. I don't think that's a bad thing. I feel like Kate Hudson in Bride Wars, when she says she muddling along, but she's awake. That's the clarity that came with the death of my grandpa. I had never been atuned to my emotions before that. Now, I can literally cry at the drop of a hat.
So yesterday, when the great Robin Williams died. The news was sad and tragic, and devastating to me. There are some people that you may never meet but they matter in your life. Such an amazing man gone from the world too soon.
He created so many great characters and movies. He made people laugh and thus making the world better place when he, himself wasn't happy. He truly was a remarkable person.
Television and movies have always been a favorite pasttime, it takes no time whatsoever for me to become attached to fictional characters, I credit being a 90's kid. I grew up in a time when having an active imagination was key and I think that's why television and movies are so important to me, these actors are able to create these new characters time and time again. The world we live in is so great because no matter what you're going through there is a movie, a show or an album that can get you through it. This is why I think Robin Williams work is so important. When I was growing up, he was the father I never had. He was another crazy uncle to add to the bunch. His presence may not have been personal but it was definitely felt.
As sad as I am. I cannot imagine how devastated his family is.
My thoughts and prayers are with them and for them.
He was instrumental in so many parts of my childhood. While Robin Williams is so entwined with my youth, my first thoughts went to a film, I didn't realize resonated with me so much, Dead Poets Society, the one and only time I've watched was junior year of high school. So naturally being a glutton for punishment, I looked through clips. One of my favorite scenes, "What will your verse be?", must've been Apple's too:
His loss is felt gravely. He was a great man. He did great things. He made my life through his roles happier, much like the rest of the world and for that I am incredibly grateful. He made the world a better place and his loss makes the world seem a little less bright. He made people laugh. But while there will never be another, his memory will live on forever.
So why shouldn't his death affect me? The tears come and go and I think it's important and appropriate to feel the emotions you have. You can't close yourself off from sadness. But you have to harness it and use it to make yourself a better person.
Maybe it'll happen on such a worldwide scale or maybe not. But I hope that when it's my time I will hae affected some margin of people the way Robin did. I hope that he can see the way his life affected the world.
Oh Captain, MyCaptain
God Bless Robin Williams. Rest in Peace.
"No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world."
xoxo
KJB
If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
I'm just gonna say it- I'm excited about my upcoming graduation. Surprising because I've always despised change. The thought of the unknown is terrifying to me. I am the girl that refused to talk about senior year when I was 17 cause I didn't want to graduate. And yet, the promise of this new adventure that comes at the end of this long journey, that has been school, is truly exciting.
That's not to say that I'm not going to miss the friends I've made in Akron. But something I've learned thus far, people are always moving but real friendships can stand the test of time. The majority of my friends moved away after high school, so I've had my fair share of long distance relationships. So I know that if you put work into it and if it's there, the friendship will last no matter the distance. I mean, the past 4 summers I've come home and my friendships are no different during the summer than when school is in session. But there's something comforting in the fact that people come and go from your life but their mark will always be felt on your heart. True friends don't have to be seen constantly to remain close.
Don't get me wrong, I'm nervous to see what will happen come graduation, but up until this point everything has been set in front of me. You start school at 3 or 4, and go until your early twenties. School is what you do to become a member of society, nowadays. So there was no question about my plans after high school. So after this December, I'll have a bachelor's. And yes, I've toyed with the idea of grad school, but at this point, I'm grateful that I didn't choose a life path/career that requires it.
So I'm finally about to start on a journey that's entirely my own. I'm no longer standing in the trail of the people that came before me, now I'm about to set my own trail ablaze. And there's something reassuring about that. I've had so many people this summer giving me encouragement about my future. These well wishes have given this new adventure a kick.
There's just something exciting about becoming the person you were born to be.
"Whatever is going to happen will happen, whether we worry or not."
