What greatness is to me

As I write this column the world is all aflutter over the "sudden" and "tragic" death of gifted actor and comedian Robin Williams.

Nearly every Facebook post I have seen has been about him and how sad it is.

Stories of his life and subsequent death dominate the media.

While my heart goes out to the family and friends that he has left behind, all of the hoopla makes me shake my head, especially when I read that people who never even met the man are crying and "beside themselves," and here's why: Mr. Williams was an adult man who made a choice to leave this place.

He wasn't blown up or gunned down like many of our soldiers who selflessly fought to protect the lives of others.

He wasn't murdered for his faith like the Christian men, women and children in Iraq over the past couple of weeks.

He wasn't an innocent victim caught in the crossfire of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.

He didn't suffer horribly only to ultimately perish from the deadly Ebola virus in Sierra Leone.

No, he made a choice.

And because he was wealthy and famous, somehow his passing evokes far more emotion and reaction from the world than the truly tragic aforementioned deaths above and I just don't get it.

Without question, depression is no picnic to live with and it can be an incredible challenge just to get out of bed each day.

Most people who suffer from the condition would agree that at least once in their lives they have questioned whether or not it would be easier to just check out.

Some call the decision to do the latter selfish, especially when they seemingly have "so much to live for" or, as in Mr. Williams' case, seemingly "have it all," or when they have people who love them and who are left behind to deal with the aftermath.

Call it what you will, but I find all of the attention on his death (as well as the death of other celebrities) very unsettling.

CNN aired actor Henry Winkler's (also known as The Fonz) interview on Williams.

He spoke of the first time he met Williams on the set of "Happy Days" and said that he very quickly realized that he was "in the presence of greatness."

Williams had incredible talent, unparalleled in his field, (in my honest opinion) and I am a big fan of his films; however, associating the term "greatness" with an actor or any celebrity leaves a sour taste in my mouth.

You want to know what greatness is to me?

Greatness is the doctors, nurses and aid workers who made the choice to try to help and care for Ebola victims in Africa with full knowledge of the likelihood that they would die as a result.

Greatness is the soldier who runs into heavy fire to try to save a fallen comrade or innocent bystander with little or no consideration for his or her own well-being.

Greatness is the mother in Gaza who was killed by shrapnel while shielding her four children from an attack.

These are the things that should stir us up and set our hearts and minds aflutter.