August 11: Empty and Forlorn, Robin Williams, Mental Illness and Addictions

...The Fair Grounds were soon deserted.  The sheds and buildings were empty and forlorn.  The infield was littered with bottles and trash.  Nobody, of the hundreds of people that had visited the Fair, knew that a grey spider had played the most important part of all.  No one was with her when she died.

You'll forgive me if I depart from my usual programming tonight.  A few hours ago, I found out that Robin Williams died.  He was found in his California home, alone, the victim of an apparent suicide.  A few other people have said that he was recently suffering from major depression.


Mental illness is horrible, and it's often coupled with addictions, as well.  The addictions don't cause the mental illness.  The addictions are a way of dealing with the mental illness.  Robin Williams was very candid about his struggles with alcohol and cocaine.  Because of his manic energies, many people thought he suffered from bipolar disease.  I never read anything to substantiate that claim, but it wouldn't surprise me.

Whatever his problems, Robin Williams was a truly gifted individual.  Brilliantly comic.  Stunningly serious.  Peter Pan to a Fisher King.  The world is a little heartbroken tonight.  The Fair Grounds are empty and forlorn.

Saint Marty has one thing to say:  "O Captain!  My Captain!"