I feel compelled to write this post, especially after the terribly, sad news of hearing that Robin Williams took his own life yesterday.

Depression is real and it's not about someone being sad.  Sure, sadness is a part of it but it's only a very small part of a bigger beast.

I've suffered with depression since I was 19 years old and it's only gotten worse as I've gotten older and taken on more responsibilities as an adult.  That's just my story and i'm not saying that depression gets worse as an adult for everyone.  

I've been in some very deep, dark places and I've probably shared the same thoughts as Robin Williams did. I've never known someone personally that has committed suicide.  But I've had friends that have lost someone or I've known others to be just as deeply depressed and going through the same motions.  

The only thing that has gotten me through is knowing that I have a support system and people that love me and care about me and want me to be here.  But that is NOT to say that those that make a decision to release their depression don't have a support system or people that love them and tell them often.  

Depression doesn't really care if you have family, friends, faith, or if you're the sweetest and funniest person in the world.  And suicide isn't a form of "giving up" either.  It's not as selfish as most people think.  

I read this article this morning and it put into perspective my own thoughts and feelings on depression.

You can be the happiest, funniest, kindest, most remarkable person on the planet just like Robin Williams and still be so lonely on the inside.

as a friend said yesterday..."depression is real. suicide sucks."

When I was a little girl and people would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would say a comedian.  Robin Williams was one of the reasons I had that crazy dream.

I decided to take a different path in life, but I still get joy out of making people laugh as I know he did.

I'm sure there was a seat at the front reserved for him.