It’s been over a year since Hollywood actor Robin Williams passed away, but as anybody who has lost a loved one knows, grief doesn’t fade quickly.
Robin’s daughter Zelda has opened up about her own sadness after losing her father when he committed suicide in August last year.
In an emotional open letter, she shared her thoughts on grief, loss and understanding the depression that robbed her of her father.
Zelda wrote: “I came to a realisation this year that I feel compelled to share here, for whomsoever may need it: Avoiding fear, sadness or anger is not the same thing as being happy. I live my sadness every day, but I don’t resent it anymore. Instead, I do it now so that the wonderful moments of joy I do find are not in order to forget, but to inhabit and enjoy for their own sake.
“It’s not easy. In fact, I’d say it takes much more effort to consciously do than it does to just stay sad, but with all my heart, I cannot tell you how worth it it is. And for those suffering from depression, I know how dark and endless that tunnel can feel, but if happiness seems impossible to find, please hold on to the possibility of hope, faint though it may be. Because I promise you, there’re (sic) enough nights under the same yellow moon for all of us to share, no matter how or when you find your way there.”
Robin captured the hearts of millions when he starred in hit films such as Mrs Doubtfire and Jumanji.