Suicide isn’t a laughing matter. Neither is depression.
Have we lost the ability to see that line between genuinely mourning the loss of someone and using it to gain attention for ourselves?
Where to begin? The media are too obvious, they’re a well-oiled exploitation machine.
Social media is too often the Land of Shallow, where pictures, platitudes, Slacktivism, jokes, and memes are welcome, but anything of substance is frequently ignored or seen as annoying.
Yet it’s the memorials that confuse me the most.
What does wasting money on flowers, balloons, teddy bears and candles do?
Does it bring those lost back?
Does it stop the next accident, murder, or suicide?
No. It just mildews.
What a terrible waste.
Maybe it’s a form of pain behaviour. People need to show how much they care, show that they’re in pain.
- Take the money you would spend on items for a memorial and donate it to those in need.
- Help someone who suffers from mental illness get help or support.
- Help someone undergoing cancer or other treatments with extra expenses.
- Help society’s most vulnerable get enough food, shelter, dental care, eye glasses, medicine.
- Do something useful. Wouldn’t that show you care? Ease your pain?
beautiful post!
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Thank you Kate. 🙂
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Excellently said.
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Thank you kindly. 🙂
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Lovely. I was another of the ten (or so) who found The Crazy Ones delightful- largely because of our lost one. And he will somehow always be Mork, to me. I hope all those who are feeling this loss take some time to think about meaning a little bit. Just as you have done here.
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Thank you. I was watching for Robin Williams and Sarah Michelle Gellar.
Yes, he’s been so many things, but when I think of him, I think of Mork, quirky alien first. Nanu Nanu. 🙂
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Beautiful commentary about this very sad loss.
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Thank you. 🙂
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Very well said 🙂
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Thank you very much. 🙂
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Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
Yet another excellent perspective!!
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Thank you kindly for the reblog. 🙂 I read your post on the passing of Robin Williams, it was excellent, so much so that I shared it on Twitter and Google+ 🙂
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Thank YOU …. Really appreciated. Peace, D!!
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You’re very welcome. Best wishes, Donna 🙂
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Same here dear friend! Have you seen the info about the newscaster who’s calling Mr. Williams a coward?
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There’s always someone who does this when someone takes their life, it maybe what they really feel or a great way to get attention. Sad that people can’t just leave Mr. Williams family and friends to grieve. That is cowardly.
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Sad .. Think way of getting attention.
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So sad.
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Indeed …. 😦
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When Kevin told me Robin Williams is dead, I burst into tears. Still crying. Great post!
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I saw it on TV and I thought, I hope it’s a hoax. Sadly it wasn’t. So hard to believe, still. Thank you for your kind words, I hope you feel better soon. It was a shock. Big hugs. 🙂
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I watched The Crazy Ones, too…
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That’s 3 of us so far. Why’d they cancel it? 🙂
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I’m not really sure. From what I read, I think it might’ve been the cost of producing the show was a bit prohibitive given the ratings…
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Too bad. We were watching it. 🙂
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I was definitely a fan…
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🙂
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Great tribute to Robin Williams ,he was a legend and will be remembered. Best regards.
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Thank you. He will be remembered. Best wishes, Donna 🙂
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Reblogged this on idealisticrebel.
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Thanks for the reblog. 🙂
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Great, thoughtful comments. I get fed up with mawkish sentiment milking tragedy for all it’s worth. Far better to do something constructive which makes a death meaningful for others still here on earth.
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Exactly. Stop the drama and start helping. 🙂
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Wonderful piece Donna!
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Thank you so much, that means a lot. 🙂
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You have a very good point! I’m definitely sharing this post!
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Thank you kindly Jenn. 🙂
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Great tribute!
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Thank you. Very kind of you to say. 🙂
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Reblogged this on The Crazy Lady Speaks.
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Thank you for the reblog. 🙂 As as a wonderful result I’ve found your blog. 🙂
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Reblogged this on Annie's Blog and commented:
It hurts when someone leaves us in this way. But you can do something by helping others. Lend an ear, feed the hungry, give your old cell phones to the women’s abuse center. Keep laughing life really is great! Show someone who’s dealing with depression just how good life can be.
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Thank you for the reblog.
It’s difficult to understand people’s choices on so many levels, but I respect the choices people make and hope it wasn’t just too much at that particular moment.
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Perfect post in every way.
We didn’t know the man Robin Williams. We only saw a glimpse of him as an actor, comedian. And the media lives for this kind of thing. Sadly the media eats this kind of tragedy up.
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It’s true, we invite them into our living rooms, minds, hearts and yet we don’t know them, usually the things we love about them are part of their acting, their pretending.
The media jumps on stories, but they don’t seem to really care what the true story is.
Thanks for the dropping by and thank you so much for the thoughtful insight and kind words. 🙂
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He is missed ❤
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So much.
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Love this post. I am still a huge fan of Robin Williams and I was so sad when he passed. You are spot on in your assessment of where we should be putting our resources. Kudos to you for writing such an awesome post. 🙂
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Thank you so much, Lisa. It’s strange isn’t it, that we can miss someone so much we never even met, yet it shows how people touch our lives in so many ways. Hope this week is treating you kindly. 🙂
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