An Open Letter

My dear friends.

There comes a time in life when you feel like your whole world is coming crashing down around you. The earth stops spinning, the rivers stop flowing, and all the air in your lungs remain stagnant. When it feels like the world has deserted you, do not fret, my friends. It is not as bad as it seems. To have known love as you did and to have flourished in a time where love is scorned upon is truly a beautiful thing. Yes, things did not happen as you envisioned; you did not celebrate anniversaries, did not hear wedding bells or grow old together. But you had the courage to imagine it. Do not lose that courage my friends.
Though I seem hard as stone and as cynical of "love" as a grumpy spinster teetering on the edge of insanity, its only because I do not understand. I may have felt those feelings before but I have never experienced the pure joy of having loved and having been loved in return. But know this, the end of romantic love is not the end of life. It is only a small part, an insignificant speck in the vastness and potential of your lives ahead of you. Though you now feel angry, frustrated and morose, know that tomorrow the sun will break through the clouds and you will see the rainbow again. Who knows, you might see it again in a flash of nostalgia that brings back old feelings, and its not a bad thing!
There are several kinds of love in this world. Agape, Eros, Philia and Storge.  Unconditional mental love, physical passionate love, the love between friends, and the love of your family. These feelings are not necessarily mutually exclusive, and one does not take precedence over the other. This is the only advice I give you, keep your love close. Any kind, it dosent matter which. For at the end of the day it is this love that keeps the world sane. I may not be making much sense (it's probably because I am sleepy) but please bear with me for a few more minutes.

The fact that you were unafraid of loving unconditionally, purely and clearly, shows the steadiness of your beating heart. Don't be afraid to experience those feelings again my friends, because the ache you feel right now shows that there is room in your heart to love some more. God knows, your sadness is making mine ache, too.

If you feel hopeless, know that you are loved, my friends. You are always loved. That is the beauty of this world you see, because everyone is always loved by someone or other at a given point of time.
Like now, I love you my friends, please don't forget that, ever.
Your friend forever,
B 

Oh Captain, My Captain.

"No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world."


These words were said by Robin Williams' character (John Keating, creating an unrealistic image for English teachers everywhere) in Dead Poet's Society. And boy, did he believe it. 

The news of his sudden death has gutted me to the core. I had always assumed that someone with such a vibrant personality, one who brought so much joy and laughter into this world to adults and kids alike would live forever. It seems such a cruel sort of irony that he should take his own life in a fit of depression. 

I've watched his movies as far back as I remember. He was such an integral part of my childhood that I find it hard to believe that people have seen so few of his movies. The first of his movies I remember watching is Flubber. His portrayal of an absent-minded professor was hilarious and perfect. And who can forget Mrs.Doubtfire, remade into so many movies by the Indian film industry. Another movie people tend to forget is Patch Adams, the original father of the Munnabhai MBBS series. 

As a child, watching Aladdin, I had always maintained that the Genie was my all-time favourite Disney character. It was only later that I found out this quirky ball of energy was voiced by Robin Williams himself. It is said that Disney was left with over 16 hours of improvised material, most of it inappropriate for children. 

Which brings me to why he was truly my hero. His comedic talent and love of accents inspired a little girl in the suburbs of an unknown Middle Eastern country to try her own voice out. His razor sharp wit and quick comebacks made her want to strive to bring people laughter and happiness too. He was more than just an actor, he was an inspiration. He also features in my favorite episode of Whose Line is it Anyway?. 

One might ask how such a wondrous, happy and hilarious personality was left crumbling with depression in his life. This is where I get truly serious.

I have always believed that India in particular has been sorely ignorant (or just reluctant to discuss, like so many other topics we won't mention) on the subject of mental illnesses. 
"Why are you depressed? Snap out of it! Aren't you happy that your family is alive and well? That you have a job? It's just a phase it will go." 

Repeat after me:
THERE IS NO SOLID CAUSE FOR DEPRESSION.
Again.
ANYBODY, AND I MEAN ANYBODY CAN GET DEPRESSION.
Again.
IT CAN TAKE YEARS TO COME OUT OF DEPRESSION.
Again.
IT IS LIFE THREATENING.

If you know someone going through this, get your awkward narrow-minded ass out of your chair and HELP THEM.  Robin Williams proved that anyone can go through this terrible thing and it is something not to be taken lightly. How many more people need to die before you can see this? 

As for Rockin' Robin, Oh Captain, My Captain, My hero and comedic role model, you will be missed. All around the world, everywhere.
Genie, you're free.