Zelda Williams Opens Up About Grief Following Dad Robin Williams’ Suicide

Zelda Williams, more than a year after her father Robin Williams‘ suicide, opened up about dealing with her own grief and depression.

Zelda Williams On Grief

Zelda Williams took to Instagram over Labor Day weekend to share how she’s coped with the loss of her father. The 26-year-old daughter of the late actor and comedian Robin Williams offered up what she’s learned about dealing with sadness over the last year.

“I came to a realization 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,” Zelda Williams wrote. “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,” Zelda Williams added. “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.”

Last October, Zelda Williams shared a picture on Instagram of a tattoo she had done in memory of her father. The tattoo tribute features Robin Williams’ birthdate – “7.21.51” – on her wrist. On the outside of her hand, just below her thumb, Zelda Williams had the tattoo artist draw a hummingbird. Incidentally, a hummingbird was featured on bracelets that were given out at the reception following the Good Will Hunting star’s funeral last year.

Robin Williams committed suicide on Aug. 11, 2014. The actor, best known for movies like Good Morning Vietnam, Dead Poet’s Society, Aladdin and Mrs. Doubtfire, had long battled depression. He had also recently learned that he had Parkinson’s Disease.