Monday, August 11, 2014

What Dreams May Come...Robin Williams Leaves Us Too Young



No doubt you've heard by now that Robin Williams is dead tonight by his own hand at age 63. He was one of the finest comedians and actors of his generation, but still he suffered from depression for many years. It finally took him from us.

Mrs. Dalai and I had the opportunity to meet Robin (Mr. Williams just doesn't sound right) some years ago after an incredible show. I was able to discuss his movie "Patch Adams" with him briefly, and let him know of the impact it had on my daughter, Dolly, who considered primary care based on his amazing portrayal of the real Dr. Adams. (Dolly actually met Patch a few years later, but that's another story.)

I won't attempt anything like an obituary here, as you'll find them all over the internet, but I did discover 10 of his most famous movie quotes (courtesy syracuse.com):

As English teacher John Keating in "Dead Poets Society," 1989:

"...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."

As Daniel Hillard/Mrs. Doubtfire in "Mrs. Doubtfire," 1993:

"Well, He broke the mold when He made me. He made me very special."

As psychologist Sean Maguire in "Good Will Hunting," 1997:

"Real loss is only possible when you love something more than you love yourself."

As car crash victim Chris Nielsen in "What Dreams May Come," 1998:

"A whole human life is just a heartbeat here in Heaven. Then we'll all be together forever."

As Dr. Malcolm Sayer in "Awakenings," 1990:

"Only occasionally, without a sound, do the covers of the eyes slide open-. An image rushes in, goes through the tensed silence of the frame- only to vanish, forever, in the heart."

As doctor Hunter "Patch" Adams in "Patch Adams," 1998:

"What's wrong with death sir? What are we so mortally afraid of? Why can't we treat death with a certain amount of humanity and dignity, and decency, and God forbid, maybe even humor. Death is not the enemy gentlemen. If we're going to fight a disease, let's fight one of the most terrible diseases of all, indifference."

As Armed Forces Radio DJ Adrian Cronauer in "Good Morning Vietnam," 1987:

"Good morning, Vietnam! Hey, this is not a test. This is rock and roll. Time to rock it from the delta to the DMZ!"

As Peter Banning/Peter Pan in "Hook," 1991:

"Jack, Maggie, all you have to do is think one happy thought, and you'll fly like me."

As English teacher John Keating in "Dead Poets Society," 1989:

"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?"

As the Genie in Disney's "Aladdin," 1992:

"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!"
And one of my personal favorites:



We had brought a Patch Adams movie poster with to the show, and Robin was kind enough to personalize it for Dolly. He wrote: "Always follow your dreams. Love, Robin Williams."

We're going to try, Robin, we're going to try...

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