Good Morning: Thoughts on Robin Williams, and Hearing Whole Stories

Last updated on: August 12, 2014 at 2:56 pm by Erin Wathen

Good Morning: Thoughts on Robin Williams, and Hearing Whole Stories 2014-08-12T14:56:19-07:00 Erin Wathen

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

When I was little, my dad bought the soundtrack (cassette tape, of course) to Good Morning, Vietnam. For a time, we listened to it in the car. All the time. I knew every word to every song. And I also knew the dialogue. Dad probably thought I was too young to ‘get’ some of the more crass humor (he was right); and that I was too little to catch the bad language (wrong!). Thing is, even though I didn’t really understand WHY “Follow the Ho Chi Mihn Trail” was funny–or what was so dissonantly hilarious about well-placed curse words, spoken in perfect imitation of Walter Cronkite—I DID get that it was funny. Because it just was.

When I was older, I went back and watched the whole movie. It did not disappoint. All those hilarious little snipets that I knew from childhood came to life and made a WHOLE lot more sense, when placed in the context of a fuller narrative. The thing is, the movie itself was a whole lot darker than the soundtrack. That little cassette tape took all the fun and uplifting music, and all the funniest soundbites, and condensed them into one easily digestible listening experience. Suitable even for children (mostly).

As is so often the case, the bigger story had violence. Suffering. The disastrous fall-out of the human love of power, at both micro and macro levels. There was individual loss, and global tragedy. That movie pretty much holds the scope of human experience within a 2-hour frame. Which is what great story-telling does, really.

And at the heart of that powerful story, and all the side-splitting moments between, was Adrian Cronauer—brought to life by the breathtaking talent of Robin Williams. Can you imagine anyone else in that role? There are certainly others who could have played the part; but I am convinced that Williams alone possessed the particular talent to balance the comedy and tragedy of that narrative, and throw it all into such poignant, truth telling relief.

I keep thinking about Good Morning, Vietnam today. Adrian Cronauer managed to bring laughter to the midst of a place full of horror and heartbreak. He was deeply wounded by all the suffering that he witnessed, but he was vigilant about maintaining some small sense of joy for those who walked in darkness. This was, in a nutshell, the story of Robin Williams’ life. In every interview I ever read or heard, he acknowledged his struggle with mental illness. And yet, he just kept on being FUNNY. Not in a slapstick, hide-behind-the-laughter kind of way; but in a deeply human, authentic, and truth-telling fashion that was so uniquely his.

Let this be a reminder, that those who walk in great darkness…often carry a really bright torch out in front of them. It might hide the sadness that eats away from the inside. It might even bring hope and joy to others, in the midst of sorrow that is more global and pervasive in scale. But remember, most people we meet—be they celebrities we view from afar or neighbors we meet every day—are only giving us the soundtrack version of their story. We hear the best songs, the lighter anecdotes, the easy laughter… But there is ALWAYS a bigger story beneath the soundbites, and there’s a good chance that story has its share of heartache, and its own element of darkness.

There are so many conversations swirling around the story of Williams’ death: discussion of the stigma surrounding mental illness, and about the access (or lack thereof) to good care. Those are important conversations, and I’m glad people who know more than me are leading them. But what I want to say today is: handle each other with care. Even the sparkliest, most loveable, best joke tellers and people-pleasers among us carry some burden of doubt, or fear, or sadness. And those who we find most UNloveable, abrasive, challenging, and downright difficult; how great their burden must be, that it shows so clearly from the outside.

Everyone we meet—we are always only seeing the movie trailer. The concise editorial version that is deemed fit for public consumption, and perhaps the ears of children. Chances are, the fuller narrative contains an element of tragedy. Let that knowledge guide how we greet strangers, how we encounter neighbors, even how we drive the dang car… And certainly, how we walk with those we love. Our small moment of kindness and understanding could be all the light someone needs to throw that sorrow into relief, and move on into a new, good morning.

progressive christianity

Robin Williams

Previous Post

August 5, 2014

Peach and Potato: A Parable

Next Post

August 14, 2014 Love Anyway: An Ode to First Days

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category a good week for progress Advent and Christmas Being a Person desert life faith and community Good News for Progressives Lent and Easter Marriage and Family S*^! Jesus Says sabbatical road tripping Spirituality in Culture Talking to Strangers the "Best Stuff I Ever Ate" diet travel Uncategorized writing Writing Prompt Wednesday

Select a Month January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 February 2011 July 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Which Orthodox celebration marks the resurrection of Christ?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Pentecost Transfiguration Pascha Epiphany