R.I.P. Robin Williams – Thank You for the Memories
When I first saw a post on Facebook that Robin Williams had passed away I was certain it was a hoax and immediately searched for confirmation that it was a hoax. Sadly I found instead confirmation through the major media outlets that this was not a hoax at all.
Though I am at a loss for words at his tragic passing, I wanted to share these memories with you. My heart has broken. I may never have met Robin Williams in person but his on screen presence was part of my life since the days of Mork & Mindy and Happy Days. I will forever remember the phrase Nanu Nanu. His passing makes me think that a Mork & Mindy marathon may be in order, if for no other reason than to relive the joy and innocence of the character.
Or his role as Armed Forces Radio DJ Adrian Cronauer in Good Morning, Vietnam. Whenever I even think of the movie I hear Robin Williams saying “Goo-ood morning, Vietnam!” the way he said it on air in the film. And then there was this quote too:
Good morning, Vietnam! Hey, this is not a test. This is rock and roll. Time to rock it from the delta to the DMZ!
Or watching Dead Poet Society with my mother. One of the few films that we both enjoyed thoroughly. Our taste in films, books and most things is so different that finding a film that we both enjoyed was amazing. Watching it together the first time made it even more memorable. Sharing tears over events in the movie priceless. Robin Williams was an English teacher, John Keating and this line touched so many of us that watched that film:
…if you listen real close, you can hear them whisper their legacy to you. Go on, lean in. Listen, you hear it? – – Carpe – – hear it? – – Carpe, carpe diem, seize the day boys, make your lives extraordinary.
or this quote:
We don’t read and write poetry because it’s cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for. To quote from Whitman, ‘O me! O life!… of the questions of these recurring; of the endless trains of the faithless… of cities filled with the foolish; what good amid these, O me, O life?’ Answer. That you are here – that life exists, and identity; that the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. That the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse. What will your verse be?
Hook, Robin Williams as an Peter Pan, who could ever forget that?
Jack, Maggie, all you have to do is think one happy thought, and you’ll fly like me.
I can’t even begin to count how many times I’ve seen Mrs. Doubtfire and enjoyed it every single time.
I could keep going as there are so many roles, so many memories. Some happy some sad. But all left a mark. Robin Williams may be gone but he will never be forgotten.
Can you hear him saying this now the same as he did as Genie in Aladdin? I can and it makes it very hard to find one happy thought for now (other than all the happy thoughts he brought into our world through the years)
You have been a fabulous audience! Tell you what, you’re the best audience in the whole world. Take care of yourselves! Good night, Alice! Good night, Agrabah! Adios, amigos!
