Robin Williams’ daughter Zelda has written an emotional open letter about dealing with the grief of her father’s death, just one year after his suicide.
Writing on Instagram beneath a photograph of a moon shining brightly over a lake, the actress addressed her feelings of both hope and sadness in an inspiring way.
The post begins with an insight into the support Zelda has been getting from close friends over the past year, and her determination to still find happiness.
She then goes on to discuss her desire to not let grief overcome her.
The letter reads: “I spent this night shivering and laughing under a clear, cold sky full of stars with people I love just to witness something beautiful. We mooned the moon and laughed ourselves hoarse, and I'm so incredibly grateful for every silly second.”
“I came to a realisation this year that I feel compelled to share here, for whomsoever may need it.”
“Avoiding fear, sadness and anger is not the same thing as being happy. I live my sadness everyday but I don’t resent it anymore. 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 enough nights under the same yellow moon for all of us to share, no matter how or when you find your way there.”
Robin Williams took his life in August last year aged 63, after battling depression and alcoholism throughout his life.
Along with her two brothers, Zelda, now 26, has said she will continue the charity work her father had being doing with the Challenged Athletes Foundation, and also plans to set up The Robin Williams Fund to help those struggling with mental illness.
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