Thoughts on the death of Philip Seymour Hoffman and many another tortured, brilliant soul

What I think: AT LEAST, he had the opportunity, talent, determination, taste and self discipline to create an amazing body of brilliant work in his chosen field before sinking into the darkness. For that alone, he was lucky and so are we all. We have the work he left behind and will for a long, long, time. For that, I am grateful. How long should a life be? Of what should it consist? Does legacy trump longevity? I am 67. What have I done? My mother is 97. What has she done? My father died a drunk at 64 after combat in three wars and I'll never know what else.  What would a drug addict be addicted to without drugs, an alcoholic without alcohol, a suicide without death? There is a dark clock in the soul of some that ticks faster than real time and winds down sooner, much sooner that others. Some manage to struggle against all odds and leave a monument of creation behind, but most leave only dust. Thank you, Philip, for doing so much with the time you could manage to get through before giving in.