The world was shocked when one of our most beloved icons of the big screen, Robin Williams, took his own life in August 2014 at the age of 63. It was later revealed that the comedian and actor had been struggling with severe depression, as well as suffering from the effects of dementia and Parkinson's.
Many were upset to hear the news, as his work on stage and screen has affected audiences all over the world. But the heartbreak of this news cannot compare to those who knew him, or those who were directly affected by him in his lifetime.
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Kate Osher, a lawyer and writer from
Los Angeles, revealed that the actor helped her through one of the toughest moments of her life. She detailed the meeting she had with him in an article written on The Mighty last year, but the post has recently resurfaced as many discover the story.
At the time, Kate's husband had just committed suicide. She was travelling with his ashes, on what she refers to as a 'travel quest' in which she was spreading the remains at various locations that meant something to her late partner. However, when she was about to head through security at the LA-X airport, she was told by an official that she would have to throw them away or cancel her trip, as she was not allowed to take them through to the next area.
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It was at this point that it all became too much for her, and she broke down into tears. That's when she heard a familiar voice, and realised that someone had come to her aid. Williams approached her, and softly asked "Miss, I just want to be sure you are OK. I see you are traveling alone, and I saw what happened, and I just really want to be sure you are OK."
"Through my tears I could place the voice," she explained, "but couldn't actually believe Robin Williams was just casually strolling through LAX and would actually take the time to stop to see if I was OK."
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She told him exactly what had happened and why she was so upset, and Williams gave her this reply:
"Addiction is a real b*tch. Mental illness and depression are the mother of all b*tches. I am so sorry for all the pain your husband was in. I'm so sorry for the pain you are in now. But it sounds like you have family and friends and love. And that tips the scale a bit, right?"
Fortunately, soon after this a police officer confirmed her death certificate and allowed her through security. After consoling her during this unbearable time, the actor walked her to her gate, making her laugh by making fun of the TSA agent.
"And when we parted ways, he hugged me. With his famously hairy arms, he gave me a huge, warm, bear hug, and it sustained me. It was a moment I think about all the time. That moment saved me. And sustained me. He sustained me during one of the most difficult moments of my life."
There is already plenty of reasons to respect and miss Robin Williams' presence in the world, but this adds yet another level of kindness to the man.
