"You're only given one little spark of madness. You mustn't lose it."

Robin Williams was an original, brilliant, and unique comedic talent and actor. His words touched the lives of countless people, including mine.

My heart has been weighing heavy today after hearing of his passing. I'd never met this man, but I feel as through I knew him through all the characters he had personified. I believe that most everyone could relate to at least one. He lived to make people laugh, and laugh they did. I feel lucky that he could be a part of my childhood. He touched so many, and that's a beautiful thing. He accomplished so many things in his dash, and I can only hope to do the same. He truly left his mark on this world. I just feel so sorry that he was in so much pain as to take his own life.

I find it funny when people get upset when one mourns a life of whom they did not personally know, but when a life is lost, it should be mourned.

Death is so final. So sad. It kills me inside to know that there are people who are in so much pain that they take it upon themselves to set themselves free. It bothers me when people think there is no such thing as true depression. Depression is a very real illness that is often invisible to the speculating eye; it can be debilitating, and it does not discriminate. Don't judge what you cannot understand. If there happens to be someone out there reading this who is depressed, I just want you to know, you deserve life, you deserve happiness, and you deserve to be helped. Please, please don't feel alone.

Mr. Williams, thank you for being unapologetically yourself, and for inspiring me to do the same. Thank you for the life lessons, smiles, laughter, and good memories. You were a beautiful spirit, and will not be forgotten. I'm sorry that you couldn't find your own happiness, but you're free, you're free, you're free...

May you truly rest in peace.

(Robin Williams: July 21, 1951 — August 11, 2014)