Among all the wishes he wrote before he died, there was one that seemed impossible.
Vivian Waller was only 21 years old when she was diagnosed with an advanced bowel tumor, already spread to the liver and lungs. He faced several cycles of chemotherapy, but the cures could not stop the disease and the doctors explained that he could stay a long time.
That's when he decided to write a list.
There were no extraordinary demands.
He wanted to celebrate his 21st birthday. Marry Jack, the man he loved. Be present at their daughter Sophie's first birthday. Visit Rarotonga.
And then there was a wish that seemed destined to remain such.
Meet Robin Williams.
Vivian lived in New Zealand and her conditions were too serious to face a trip to the United States.
But someone decided to try anyway.
His story came to Robin Williams, along with a simple request: to send a message to a young woman who was trying to realize the last dreams of his life.
The actor accepted without hesitation.
He recorded a short video in which he joked with one of his famous accents, saluted Vivian, sent his affection also to Jack and Little Sophie and, with his unmistakable style, invited her to cancel that desire from the list because it had now been realized.
It only lasted a few seconds.
Vivian meant a lot more.
In February 2014 he had also made another dream, marrying Jack shortly after knowing how severe his illness was. His health, however, continued to deteriorate and, in the following months, began to receive palliative care in Auckland.
In August of the same year the family decided to make the video public.
A few days before the news of Robin Williams' death on 11 August 2014.
Jack explained that they chose to share it because they wanted to show the world the most human side of the actor.
That message had not been recorded in front of a show's cameras, nor was it part of a promotional campaign.
It was simply the gesture of a person who had dedicated a few minutes of his time to a young stranger.
Vivian Waller died on 28 September 2014.
She was still 21.
His story continues to be remembered not only for the disease he faced, but also for what he tells about the value of simple gestures.
Robin Williams couldn't change the diagnosis.
He couldn't stop time.
However, she could give Vivian a moment when she was not her illness, but her dreams.
And sometimes that's what makes a gesture impossible to forget.
For those who do it, it can last a few seconds.
For those who receive it, it can become a memory that lasts forever.