Everybody has an opinion regarding the death of Robin Williams. Some can't believe it. Some want to be clear that he only went back to rehab for a tune-up....Some think those who take their own life are selfish. Some think he could have afforded the doctors so he should have gone to them so that he could just snap out of it.
Those of us who have lived with either addiction or mental illness or both hope that his life and his death might bring understanding to those whose lives have not.
I accidently "butt dialed" a friend yesterday. Last year her adult son was killed in a car wreck. He had no problems with drugs or alcohol. He was just a wonderful young man who was responsible and hard working.
"How are you doing?" I asked. It had been almost exactly a year since his accident."
She said, "You, know I had gotten past the point where I worried about his driving like you do a sixteen year old. It just came out of nowhere. I don't think I will ever get over it.
"I can't even imagine." I say.
"I'm really glad you called. Most people avoid me like the plague. Losing a child is a mother's worst nightmare and so it's like people are afraid they will 'catch it' from me." She said.
I felt a big twinge of guilt. You see I accidently called her. However, I do suspect that with God there are no accidents. In his mercy he gave her an ear when she needed one.
I look at both of these situations and think---bottom line folks--bottom line. We are to love one another as Christ loves me. That's it.
So what if Robin Williams was using again. So what if he was selfish. So what if he could afford doctors and didn't seek their advice. So what if we don't know what to say to a grieving mother who lost her sweet boy?
We're not here to judge. We're not here to say or do the perfect thing. We are only here to love.
Wonder if we will ever get it?
Those of us who have lived with either addiction or mental illness or both hope that his life and his death might bring understanding to those whose lives have not.
I accidently "butt dialed" a friend yesterday. Last year her adult son was killed in a car wreck. He had no problems with drugs or alcohol. He was just a wonderful young man who was responsible and hard working.
"How are you doing?" I asked. It had been almost exactly a year since his accident."
She said, "You, know I had gotten past the point where I worried about his driving like you do a sixteen year old. It just came out of nowhere. I don't think I will ever get over it.
"I can't even imagine." I say.
"I'm really glad you called. Most people avoid me like the plague. Losing a child is a mother's worst nightmare and so it's like people are afraid they will 'catch it' from me." She said.
I felt a big twinge of guilt. You see I accidently called her. However, I do suspect that with God there are no accidents. In his mercy he gave her an ear when she needed one.
I look at both of these situations and think---bottom line folks--bottom line. We are to love one another as Christ loves me. That's it.
So what if Robin Williams was using again. So what if he was selfish. So what if he could afford doctors and didn't seek their advice. So what if we don't know what to say to a grieving mother who lost her sweet boy?
We're not here to judge. We're not here to say or do the perfect thing. We are only here to love.
Wonder if we will ever get it?
2 comments:
Good post! I also wonder if we will ever "get" it. My own daughter (who has a brother who is an opiod addict) said the other day "she kind of agreed with family members who boycotted the funeral of their relative who killed himself." All I could think was OMG, her saying that shocked me! God have mercy on us all, cuz we really need it!
Anonymous,
I guess we all come to our own understanding in our own time. With those that choose such actions as with our addicts and those who suffer from mental illness, all that I can say, is who am I to judge.
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