Robin Williams’ death has had a great impact on so many people.  As soon as I learned of his death, I was in disbelief.  Then the flood of post after post after post of people talking about personal accounts of meeting him, working with him and remembering him and his work. Among the mourning and remembrance there has been a lot of confusion at the loss of his life.

Of all the celebrities that have died since I have been alive, his death is one that has had a great impact on me.  I don’t know why?  He is an actor I grew up with and I knew him in his dramatic roles before I ever saw him in his comedic roles.  He was a great talent and brought laughter to so many.  His death sparked a needed discussion on depression and suicide.  In fact, one of my close friends revealed to me this week that she contemplated suicide when she was a girl.  One of my closest friends attempted suicide when he was high school and I know a handful of friends that revealed to me that they contemplated suicide at one time in their life.

Erwin McManus, author of the Artisan Soul, and pastor at Mosaic in Los Angeles, gave a sermon titled “Hope in a Desperate Time” which was inspired by Robin Williams death.   This sermon was all the buzz last week on Facebook and the internet.  Erwin pulls lessons from his experience that speaks to the highs and lows that are a part of life and the human experience and point to the idea that we are not alone.  Mr. McManus also offers tools to help anyone in moments of despair.