Mom Update 8/3

Once Upon A Time……..

This is usually how I start off any story that I tell, but it doesn’t seem appropriate today.  As some of you may or may not know, I flew to New Orleans on Thursday to be with my mother as she recovers from her liver transplant.  This has been quite a roller coaster ride, and it doesn’t seem it is going to end any time soon.

Luckily for me my Mom has taught me how to fight; it is now my turn to remind her how to fight.  She has been in ICU for the past 3 weeks, and it looks like she is going to be here for another few weeks before she can move to the transition room (the next phase in the transplant process).  Seeing my Mom in the condition she is in breaks my heart.  I was able to see her right after I flew in on Thursday.  I asked her if she knew who I was and she shook her head yes. (Right now she is incubated but alert.)  It was hard to fight back the tears.

I know that a lot of you want updates of Mom’s status.  So what I will do is update here on a regular basis.  It’s easier than remember who all to text.  So here is your update:

Mom is currently incubated, and we are hoping to have her off the ventilator soon.  She is fighting a bacteria infection and is on dialysis.  We are taking one day at a time.  Dad has to go back to work since he no longer has any more leave time.  Becca and I are chilling at the hospital with Mom until she has to go back to school in 1 ½ weeks.  Don’t worry, I am here for the long haul.  If you would like an update prior to me posting here, call or text me at 601-955-2904.

I appreciate everyone’s love, concern, prayers, and kind thoughts sent our way!

Much Love,

Robyn

Happy Birthday Bookie!

Dear Bookie,

Happy Birthday! I will admit I am pretty upset with the fact that you aren't here to celebrate turning 24 with me. I still haven't adjusted to using past tense when I talk about you. It just doesn't feel right. This time last year I was enjoying life over yonder in the land called India. I still don't know if you ever got the card that I sent you. Oh well, too late now. So, I had decided to do my top 10 memories of you, but then realized that I would incriminate myself quite a bit, so yeah I will do my top memories that are a safe bet of not landing me in jail. :)

Some of My Top Memories of Bookie

That time you thought your balls fell into the toilet and Mom used a Maxi Pad to stop the bleeding? Oh yes, I went there!

When we decided that you would name your first son Mario and I would name mine Luigi. Mom still isn't amused with that decision :)

When we use to race the power wheels down the street without any batteries.

When you told our cute little nephews to “Man Up” because you were watching LOTR.

When you brought home that write up in 5^th grade stating that you had detention because you farted in the bathroom! Where else are you suppose to relieve gas?!?

I love ya Bookie. I wish you were here, but I am slowly understanding why you had to leave me. Mind you my understanding does NOT negate the fact that I am going to kick your trash when it's my time to go....just sayin'. You are and forever will be my favorite baby brother.

Happy Birthday!

Love Always & Forever,

Bookie Bo

If Only

A month ago this coming Thursday I laid my baby brother to rest.  So, I apologize friends that I have been anti-social and extremely quiet these last few weeks.  I have never been eloquent when it comes to expressing my emotions, and I very rarely allow people into my life.  This book is very much closed.  I thought for this post that I would open my book for the briefest of moments and share with you some of my ever so personal feelings.

My parents raised us not to go to bed angry with each other.  Whenever we leave the house or end a phone call we always tell the other person that we love each other.  Yes, if I left the house and 3 of my 7 family members were home, I would tell each one of them that I was leaving and that I love them.  Unfortunately, a week before Zack's death, him and I got into a horrible disagreement.  I was home for my sister's graduation.  The night before I flew back to Utah we had this massive disagreement over something so trivial.  Due to my pride, I never made things right with my brother.  A week to the day that I arrived back in Utah, I received the dreaded call that my brother had died.

I never got to say, “Zack, I'm sorry and I love you” one last time.  Instead of feeling peace, I feel the weight of the World on my shoulders.  It's my fault.  I should have been a better big sister.  I should have been more understanding and loving.  I am left with a gaping hole in my heart; I've been through some tough life experiences and I have never felt as my pain as I do now.

So my friends, please learn from my mistake.  Tell your family and friends how much you love them on a daily basis.  Don't just go through the motions.  Say what you mean and mean what you say.  You only get one life so make it count.  Let those around you how much they mean to you in your life.  Don't be prideful and stubborn like I was.  Don't let trivial things come between you and those you love.  As my Daddy says, “be slow to anger, and quick to forgive.” As my Momma says “tell those you love that you love them because you never know when it will be your last time to tell them.”  If only I had heeded the counsel and example of my parents.  If only.

Happy Mother's Day Momma

Dear Momma,

This morning I woke up thinking about the Mother's Day I flew home to surprise you. I had just completed my first year at Utah State, and I was quite homesick. Luckily, I was able to find a cheap ticket home for Mother's Day weekend. By taking a red eye flight home, I thought I would sleep on the plane. Boy was I wrong! I was too excited to sleep. Have you ever been at the airport and seen people passed out across some seats at the gate? Well, that was me at the Atlanta airport except not only was I completely out I was hugging my laptop for dear life.  Cody came to pick me up because we knew that you were getting your hair done at Kim's.  When I finally made it home, I was exhausted beyond belief. So me and Q-Tip (our dog) curled up on the end of your  bed and took a nap. The next thing I knew you were the bedroom asking “Cody, who is on my bed?” over and over. I turned my very sleepy self over to face her and said “Happy Mother's Day Momma.”  Your reaction was worth those 24 crazy hours prior to me flying home.

You see Mom, we have this incredible bond.  I can't explain it, and words aren't adequate enough to describe this bond of ours.  We love each other immensely and we can drive each other crazy, but I wouldn't have it any other way.  I am the person I am today because I have such an amazing mother!  I know I tell you I love you everyday, but I am going to tell ya again because I sure do love you so very much.  

I can't wait to give you your Mother's Day present in 10 days!

ik hou van jou,

Robs 

Thank You

This time last year I was a nervous wreck because as I was taking finals and writing massive papers, I was also going through the interview process for an internship in Pune, India. I was checking my email like a stalker watches his object of affection anxiously waiting to hear whether or not they had chosen me. As I prepared to leave my house to take my final exam which just happened to be Media Law, I checked my email not believing what I had read. Sangam World Centre had chosen me to be their first Marketing Communications Intern. I was astonished. I called my parents and texted a good friend to relay the news. Walking to my Media Law final I called my boss and turned in my notice. I am going to be honest and tell you that I was scared out of my mind to pack things up and go to India. Luckily, I have friends like Angie and Kort who gave me the courage I needed to move forward with my journey. I had friends like Sofi who helped me get my plane ticket and all my stuff down to Salt Lake and Gillian who let me keep my stuff at her place until I returned.

I really just want to give a heart felt sincere thank you to my family and friends who have supported me during the whole India process and who have also stood by my side during all of the hardships that I have encountered since returning. You ARE my true friends. To my family I love you more than words can describe. Without all of your help (friends and family) I would not have been able to enjoy such a wonderful and exciting opportunity!

Oh for the Love!

During my many months of unemployment, I have kept myself busy by trolling news outlets keeping up to date on current events. I start off with the Washington Post, move onto the NY Times, hit up CNN, and finish off with the Huffington Post. When I want to read something funny, I turn to celebrity nonsense. I say nonsense because lately those whose five minutes of fame is quite over keep running their mouths.

Let's start with Jesse James. He has recently stated, “He has paid the price and then some.” Listen Jesse, I honestly don't give a rats butt that you became famous for marrying Sandra Bullock. So what you two divorced like a couple of years ago. Get over it already. She certainly has. I don't think that just because you are over sexed and can't keep your male member in your pants, that you should still be running your mouth in celebrity news. Stick to creating motorcycles. Oh and for the love of six bits, keep your sex life to yourself.

Speaking of extreme exercise, why in the world do we keep hearing about Bristol Palin. I thought she was leaving celebrity, but I guess she doesn't enjoy not being in the spotlight. Now all of the sudden she is outraged that her baby's daddy has knocked up some poor unfortunate chick. I am not even going to get started on all of the foolishness. What I will say is this: #1 SHUT UP already! No one cares about your baby's daddy issues. #2 Bristol keep your business your business. By airing your business, you are just acting like some white trash.

Talk about airing out your business. Apparently Melissa Etheridge's ex-wife can't live on a mere $23,000 a month. Yes, I said a month. Seriously?!? WTF. The more important question is how can you not live on $23,000 a month? What do you need that puts you over that budget? Note that I said need and not want. In this economy there are plenty of people that wish they had your problem of staying within your monthly allotment. My advice: simplify your life and be strong! You aren't going to find any sympathy from this chick.

What Really Matters

Lately, my time has been consumed by figuring out the “meaning of life.” (I don't think this is one problem I will ever solve.) This year is a big year for me. I say that because I will turn an age that I am not comfortable admitting when my birthday rolls around come October. Life has been challenging, but such is life.

The other day I was wasting my time looking at some photos for a FB friend of mine. There was one picture that was just precious; it is of a friend in a developing country with a local child. A comment left by another friend stated something like this: The local people are SO happy and don't realize that they don't have anything.

After mulling that statement over in my mind, I started to think. (Yes, I know that this can be dangerous.) What makes me happy? I replayed my adventures abroad and stateside. I thought of my childhood and what brought me to where I am today.

What makes me happy is the thought of flying home to see my family even if it's only for a short visit. I tear up every time I think of all the sacrifices my parents have made to see me succeed. Put my niece and nephews on the phone or Skype and I am over the moon. Helping and serving those around me feeds my soul. If I can make someone laugh during the day, then my day has been a success.

I don't need a brand new car every couple of years. Public transportation suits me just fine. I don't need a over-sized house, fancy jewelery, or designer clothes. All I need at the end of the day is the love of my friends, family, and my Heavenly Father. Everything else is secondary.

The local people of that developing country may not have running water, sanitation, or the modern conveniences but at the end of the day, they have their families, community, and their religion. That my friends is what makes them happy. They are happy because they have what really matters. Nothing can compare to the love that you have for your family, your fellow man, or your God.