Dear Robin Williams...

Dear Robin Williams, 

I never met you, but I wanted to write to you this morning and tell you something.  

My friends and I-- We were 10 years old and growing out of childhood when I first learned about you.    

We were already solemn and nervous, on the verge of having to become teenagers.  

But you came into our lives, huge and blue, in this form that we could understand.  

Everything else was just flat doodles on the screen, so I'm not sure how you did it, but there you were-- transformed completely into The Genie.

--and on the edge of having to mind our manners for the rest of our lives, you gave all of us 10 year olds something to laugh about for the summer before we had to go and start fourth grade.    

When I had to start school that fall, my parents bought me this t-shirt that had Genie faces all over it. Each face was a different wacky Genie expression.  I wish I still had that shirt because when I wore it I felt like I could be fun and silly even though I was having to sit and learn the beginnings of algebra and study early California history.  

Mr. Williams, When I heard yesterday that you decided to leave this world,  my heart sunk into my feet.  I wish I could have given you the gift that you gave to all of us 10 year olds in 1992:  a giant blue dart of joy to help you get through the next few months and years.  

We were small and trying to be brave sitting in a dark room, but you brought us to this safety zone of laughter where we could all just be children.   

So, for that, and for everything else:  Thank you.