When Patton Oswalt was on Conan a few weeks back and discussed how he’s finding happiness following the loss of his wife, it was really something that stuck out if you’ve experienced similar loss in life. And we all face it at some point, so it is a universal feeling despite the staggered and unexpectedness of it all.
This is only enhanced by Oswalt’s appearance on The Late Show, where the comedians spent a good ten minutes sharing their personal takes on loss — and a little bit of Donald Trump. Away from Oswalt’s perfect description of Trump using Mos Eisley Cantina from Star Wars, Colbert and Oswalt really go at the power of discussing your grief and how it aids you by keeping those feelings from creating a foothold inside. That last bit is difficult because you don’t really want to forget, but you also don’t want to feel like a ball of nothingness that rolls into bed and never gets out.
Talking about it, be it on the stage as a comedian or with your friends at a coffee shop, is really the only way to get it to a place where you can manage it. It also gives you some ammunition by seeing that you’re not forced to deal with it alone. We all don’t have the luxury of going on a national tour or promoting something on late night television, but that’s not what truly helps. Though, yes, you could write a book about it and possibly end up on Ellen, but that’s a ways down the road.
Point being is that Oswalt and Colbert hit the target here by pointing out that grief doesn’t have to lead you down to the bottom of a bottle or worse. Sometimes just talking about it with friends, family, or a professional is what you need.
(Via The Late Show)
