Robin

Little did I know that when we moved to the Central Coast of NSW from Lithgow, in The Blue Mountains, in 1987, that I was going to meet a lady who would be my best friend for the next 15 years.

We set about finding somewhere to live. I found a flat for us while we looked for a new home. I was looking for a house that had a large lounge room, that was my intention. However, the very first home we were shown by the agent had a small lounge room, but as soon as I stepped through the front door I felt right at home and knew this was the house I wanted.

We looked at other houses, but none beckoned to me like the first one had. So, we bought it, and moved in six weeks later. Shortly afterwards I met Robin. She was living across the road and I went across to say hi. I found out then that it was her home we had purchased, and that she and Mark, her husband, were living across from us until they too found another home. We got along together like a house on fire. I wasn't too well at the time, but that didn't deter Robin, she was a great support to me at that time. We found out we shared the same interests, despite the difference in our ages, (she was 29, I was 45), went to ceramic classes together, and generally had a good time. Mind you, she DID stay 29 for a few years, while we got older and wiser.....We had dinner parties together, at one of them along with our young neighbours who were moving away, we played all our 45rpm records, and had a great time. Then in 1988, Robin and Mark moved up to Surfer's Paradise in Queensland. We stayed friends, visited them regularly, and on one of our trips to the shopping centres we each bought some "fashion" earrings which started a trend. Whenever we sent each other a present, either for a birthday, or Christmas, always enclosed were a pair of "cheap" earrings. I still have every pair she sent me, along with nail accessories. I had shown Robin how to apply acrylic nails and when she moved to Queensland to Surfer's Paradise on the Gold Coast, she went to Technical College and undertook a course as a nail technician. She opened a shop and soon had lots of clients, both because she was very good and also because she had such a great enthusiasm for life which was infectious.

The 1988 World Expo was held in Brisbane and we went up and stayed with Robin and Mark, Robin did my nails, applied nail art, each nail being different a different colour, and spelling the word "Expo '88".

After trying for a long time, in 1993 their beloved son Regan was born to complete their already very happy life. I can still see Robin now changing him with the long nails the midwife had told her she would have to cut because "you can't change nappies with long nails!"

On one visit, when my brother and sister in law were out on a visit from the UK, we stayed in an apartment in Surfer's and Robin, Mark and Regan came over for dinner. Young 20 months Regan was clambering around the place in Mark's enormous joggers! and having a great time, as did we watching him.

Then a few years later, they moved into a new home built just as they wanted it. Mount Tambourine was the view from her back yard, Mark was working in Brisbane, all her family were living on The Gold Coast, she was continuing with her nail customers/friends, they were all set.

Then, in 2000, tragedy. Robin was diagnosed with advanced Breast Cancer. She had chemotherapy, and then the devastating news in early 2001, that it had metastasised to her liver, and also to her lungs but the liver was the biggest problem. She underwent some very punishing chemotherapy, but her tumour continued to grow. None of this dampened Robin's spirit, even when in terrible pain, she still thought of others before herself.

She came down to NSW in March of 2001 to see a friend of my daughter's, who is a renowned liver surgeon, but as she had metastases to her lungs in addition to her liver he sadly could do nothing to help. She stayed with us for the week, My husband driving us down to Sydney daily.

I visited Robin in September 2001 for a week, before she started the oral chemotherapy. One would never have guessed how ill she was. She told me then that each day she really had to make herself carry on with normal life, although admirably true to form her make up was always immaculate! During that week I saw the great network of support from the local Breast Cancer Support group, one session of which I attended with Robin, and even as a Registered Nurse, learned of a lot of different chemotherapies available, plus all the side effects, first hand.

I will always be grateful I spent that time with Robin , Mark and Regan, and very grateful to Mark for the time he took to pick me up and take me back to Brisbane airport. I will always treasure that week I spent with them.

Mark, Robin and Regan went on a short holiday in February 2002, and when they came back Robin was admitted to hospital for pain management, which Mark had wanted her to do before the holiday, but Robin wanted that holiday. I think she probably knew deep down it would be her last.

My brother and sister in law were visiting us in January 2002 for 8 weeks, during which we had planned a holiday in Surfer's Paradise, also planning on spending time with Robin, Mark and Regan. I am so grateful that my husband booked the holiday to start on the 6th of February, instead of the following week which he was considering, or I would have missed some very special moments with one of the best friends I ever had.

I saw her on the 7th of February, in hospital, and we joked, hugged each other, expressed our love and friendship, and talked about the years that had gone before. We shared lots of lovely memories of events that had taken place over the years. By the 9th of February she was drifting in and out of consciousness, but still tried to talk to us. My sister in law was with me that day, she had met Robin on her previous visit to Australia, and she wanted to see Robin and give her and Regan some gifts she had brought with her. Robin recognized her and tried valiantly to talk with her.

On Tuesday 12th February, despite a very brave fight, (she had things to do, places to go) Robin died, with Mark and Regan by her side, and family and special friends around. She looked so peaceful and beautiful, even in death, just as if she were asleep. At last, she was free of pain. She left behind a legacy of love, and lots of beautiful memories.

I watch those videos I made over the years with smiles and grateful I had the chance to make them. Mark and Regan will have copies so they can see and remember Robin as the beautiful person she was. Thank goodness for today's technology which enables us to do this.

On the 7th July Robin's ashes were scattered on Mount Tambourine, and her son, nephews and nieces, let go 7 pink balloons which, Mark told me, drifted in the direction of their home as if Robin's spirit wanted one last look. It was their 181/2 yr Wedding Anniversary, (they celebrated 6 monthly)

We will never forget you Robin, your beautiful smile, your love of life, your generosity of love and friendship will be forever cherished

The Foothills Of Mount Tambourine taken on my visit to Mark and Robin's Home.

We little knew that morning, that God
was going to call your name.
In life we loved you dearly,
In death we do the same.

It broke our hearts to lose you,
you did not go alone;
for part of us went with you,
the day God called you home.

You left us peaceful memories,
your love is still our guide;
and though we cannot see you,
you are always at our side.

Our family chain is broken,
and nothing seems the same;
but as God calls us one by one,
The Chain will link again.

~author unknown~

http://www.runforlife2002.com

Please Visit this very special and inspirational Lady's site:

I highly recommend it. She was Robin's nurse.