It has been a very, very long couple of weeks. One of the
people who I admired greatly and who was an incredible supporter for me passed
away. I have only known Robin well for a few years, but she was one of those
people that you never forget. I have known her since working at Blue Cross and
we became better friends in the past 2 years.
Robin and I began the Customer Advocate Specialist position
at the same time. We went through training together, and leaned on each other
through the struggles of a new position. The days were long, the concepts
sometimes difficult, but at the end of the day – I could count on her to have
my back, as she did with me. I learned about her love for her family. It was a
beautiful thing. I also knew that she was a no nonsense kind of gal. If she had
a problem with you, you knew it. Straight shooter.
When I was going through some of the toughest times of my life, Robin was my cheerleader. She was one of the people that made me realize
that life is short. She gave me courage, and made me see that I am not a
doormat. I needed to be appreciated and loved – and I needed to be with someone
who knows that this is not something to take for granted. My ex-husband took me
for granted, and made me feel like I was not worth the effort. I spent many
nights at Blue Cross, talking through this with Robin because I didn’t want to
go home. I was less than nothing in my mind then. Robin made me realize that to
be cared about means that you know you are cared for. You show the other person you care.
Robin left Blue Cross right before my personal D day. I
still called her the day I left him, and told her I was ok, and that I had
finally done it. It was an incredible rush. There are still not enough words to
thank any of the people who led me to where I am now.
I had been to Robin’s home to see her after she left Blue
Cross, and she got progressively worse. I was angry with myself for not going
to see her when I wanted to after I got back from my trip to Hawaii. Unfortunately,
life gets in the way. When I was told that Robin was very bad, and it would not
be long, it was one of the hardest things for me to cope with. It hit me that
this wonderful person would no longer be the rock for others to lean on. I was able to go see her the Wednesday before she
passed away. It was difficult, but I am glad I was able to see Robin one last
time.
Talking with her is something I will miss. She gave me
advice, shared wonderful stories of her family, told me about some of the trips
they took, and let me know that I had a gift. Robin told me that I could make
the ordinary beautiful. One of the things she liked most was the photos of my
Sunday adventures. She let me know that I could truly help others see the
beauty in what we look at every day.
My love and support to the members of her family.
To Robin herself: I miss you a lot, my friend. I will
remember the lessons you taught me. I am grateful that I got to know you.
When good things happen, I will think of you and smile. I know I have one
incredible lady up there, looking down and cheering on my successes. Be at peace. No more pain.
Have a great 4th, my friends.
Angie