“Killing oneself is, anyway, a misnomer. We don’t kill ourselves. We are simply defeated by the long, hard struggle to stay alive. When somebody dies after a long illness, people are apt to say, with a note of approval, “He fought so hard.” And they are inclined to think, about a suicide, that no fight was involved, that somebody simply gave up. This is quite wrong.” ― Sally Brampton, Shoot The Damn Dog: A Memoir Of Depression
I’m at a loss for words.
When I heard about Robin William’s suicide, I wept.
I never met the man, but I saw every film that he was in and marveled at his comedic genius. He was a brilliant comic, and yet he could turn the coin and be a stunning, dramatic actor.
He had charisma. Hell, he exuded charisma!
He made me laugh (the deep belly laugh, tears streaming down my face) and he made me cry.
I am both deeply sad and angry that he died…. way too soon, at the age of 63.
What is so tragic is that in one moment of madness (deep depression), he ended his life. It only takes that one moment.
Life is finite. The decisions one makes in an instant, may have a lasting, irreparable impact on one’s life.
If Robin had taken a few more minutes to think about his options, the blessings in his life, would he have made the same choice?
I think not.
The very concept of suicide breaks my heart.
We all have our own personal religious and spiritual beliefs, but… let’s face it, who among us has died and come back to tell us what lies beyond? Therefore, doesn’t it make sense to make the most of our life (lives) while we’re still here on this earth?
As long as we live, there is Hope.
My heart goes out to Robin’s family and close friends.
“In times of grief and sorrow I will hold you and rock you and take your grief and make it my own. When you cry I cry and when you hurt I hurt. And together we will try to hold back the floods to tears and despair and make it through the potholed street of life.” ―Nicholas Sparks,The Notebook
The unspeakable tragedy of the attack on Malaysia Flight MH17, killing all 298 passengers and crew members, has shocked the world.
192 from The Netherlands (1 of whom was also American)
44 from Malaysia
27 from Australia
12 from Indonesia
10 from the United Kingdom
4 from Belgium
4 from Germany
3 from the Philippines
1 from New Zealand
1 from Canada
The world community is united in grief for these men, women, boys and girls.
A heinous crime against humanity has been committed. There is no doubt that those responsible for this mass murder will be brought to justice.
But, for now, let us focus our prayers and thoughts on the families and friends who are mourning such tragic loss.
Below is The Lord’s Prayer, spoken in Dutch … and the written words (scroll further down) in Dutch, English, Filipino, French, German, and Indonesian (which is also … I think, the same in Malaysian).
in DUTCH:
ONZE VADER
Onze vader die in de hemel zijt Uw naam worde geheiligd. Uw rijk kome. Uw wil geschiede op aarde zoals in de hemel. Geef ons heden ons dagelijks brood. En vergeef ons onze schuld, zoals wij ook aan anderen hun schuld vergeven. En leid ons niet in bekoring, maar verlos ons van het kwade.
Amen.
in ENGLISH:
OUR FATHER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Amen.
in FILIPINO:
AMA NAMIN
Ama namin, sumasalangit Ka. Sambahin ang ngalan Mo. Mapasaamin ang kaharian mo Sundin ang loob Mo dito sa lupa para nang sa langit. Bigyan Mo kami ng aming kakanin sa araw-araw At patawarin Mo kami sa aming mga sala Para nang pagpapatawad namin sa nagkakasala sa amin. At huwag Mo kaming ipahintulot sa tukso At iadya Mo kami sa lahat ng masama
Amen.
in FRENCH:
Notre Père
Notre Père qui es aux cieux, que ton Nom soit sanctifié, que ton règne vienne, que ta volonté soit faite sur la terre comme au ciel. Donne-nous aujourd’hui notre pain de ce jour. Pardonne-nous nos offenses, comme nous pardonnons aussi à ceux qui nous ont offensés. Et ne nous soumets pas à la tentation, mais délivre-nous du mal. [Car c’est à Toi qu’appartiennent le règne, la puissance et la gloire, pour les siècles des siècles.]
Amen.
in GERMAN:
UNSER VATER
Unser Vater im Himmel, dein Name werde geheiligt, dein Reich komme, dein Wille geschehe wie im Himmel, so auf der Erde. Gib uns heute das Brot, das wir brauchen. Und erlaß uns unsere Schulden, wie auch wir sie unseren Schuldnern erlassen haben. Und führe uns nicht in Versuchung, sondern rette uns vor dem Bösen.
Amen.
in INDONESIAN (and also MALAYSIAN):
BAPA KAMI
Bapa kami yang ada di Surga,
dikuduskanlah nama-Mu.
Datanglah kerajaan-Mu, jadilah kehendak-Mu,
di bumi seperti di surga.
Berikanlah kami pada hari ini makanan kami yang secukupnya,
dan ampunilah kami akan kesalahan kami
seperti jami juga mengampuni orang yang bersalah kepada kami.
Dan janganlah membawa kami ke dalam percobaan,
tetapi lepaskanlah kami dari yang jahat.
[Karena Engkaulah yang empunya kuasa dan kemuliaan
