Top 10 Things We Love About Robin
10: Her Smile.
She could light up a room with her wide, joyful smile. With her beautiful smile and contagious
laugh, Robin always let you know the joy she felt in being with you. We all know how important her teeth were to
her, and the lengths she went to get it JUST RIGHT. When she got her teeth done, the dentist
asked her what shade of white she wanted and she said, “THE WHITEST WHITE”
which happened to be called “Hollywood White” and she got her wish. During her
battle with FTD, she flashed us that smile often to let us know she was happy
we were there.
9: She was an avid
Vikings fan. She may not have always understood every
football play, but you could always count on her to be dressed in dazzling
purple and gold on game day. When mom
took me to games as a kid, we used to have a secret sign that let me know when
to start crying so mom could tell the ticket scalper, “I just wanted to take my
daughter to the Vikings game!” It worked
like a charm.
8: Presents!!
Whether it was your birthday (which she never forgot), your baby was
just born, Christmas, or any other occasion, Robin loved to spoil people with
incredible gifts. Not only did she seem
to know just what you wanted, she would wrap them so beautifully that you would
hesitate to open them. During our huge
family Christmases at Grandma Donna’s house, you could always tell which
presents Robin brought, because they would all have gorgeous paper and
elaborate bows.
7. Her personal style. Robin was always dressed to the nines, head to toe.
She was a TJ Maxx expert shopper, finding the most flattering fashionable
outfits, accessorizing with a coveted purse, all the bling one can wear, and of
course 6 inch heels. She was meticulous in her morning routine – every brush of
makeup, line of her brow, stroke of lipstick, curl of her hair were just so.
She was known for beautiful nails and long eyelashes. She didn’t miss a beat.
Even as my Mom passed away, Team Robin honored her beauty. I applied a
beautiful glimmering bronzer, a touch of rouge, creamy eyeshadow, a hint of
mascara, and sparkly pink lips. Mama Yoder brushed her hair ever so gently,
Paula lined her brows for the last time, Amber adorned her in a perfect
nightie, and Lexi topped it off with a perfectly pink manicure.
6: Her Ambition:
Throughout her life, Robin set high standards for herself. Whether she was editing the newspaper ads,
staging a home for an open house, or pulling off an elaborate party, nothing
was impossible with her effort behind it.
Raising Ashley was at the top of the list most recently, and Ashley’s
college graduation was the proudest I have ever seen Robin. She wanted Ashley to have every opportunity
in life, and worked tirelessly to give her all the tools she needed to follow
her dreams.
5: Travel. Mom didn’t just talk about traveling
the world someday, she did it. She took me
to Puerto Vallarta Mexico over ten times for spring break, soaking in the
culture and food, and always letting me bring a friend so that I was busy and
not bothering her bronzing hours. She
loved the sun and hot weather, so Palm Springs was a favorite destination where
she could get a tan, sip margaritas, flip homes and enjoy friends. Her plan was to eventually retire
there. New York was another destination
for shopping and big city attractions. Before
I arrived, she hit Las Vegas to play in billiards tournaments. Eventually Vegas
became an annual getaway with her dear friend Char (and often myself and friend
Lynsie), taking in shows, playing blackjack at Casino Royale, and ponying up at
Toby Keith’s bar. Then, there was
Europe. Madrid, Budapest, Milan, and
then on New Year’s Eve, Paris. She
especially loved Paris – the grandeur, the food, the art, the Moulin rouge, the
Eiffel tower. Her physical remains
will be returned to Paris, but her final trip will be to heaven.
4: Food – Robin loved food, restaurants and
gathering for meals. Though Robin didn’t
cook much but hobo dinners, she did love to bring dazzling dishes to
share. With a little prodding, you’d
find out these came from her favorite restaurants. Dining out was one of Robin’s favorite
activities, and she never shied away from taking kids along, buying dessert,
and ordering the spiciest thing on the menu.
She carried crushed red pepper in her purse and would put it on anything
from cream cheese wontons to pizza and if you could put it on breakfast cereal,
she would have. Though experiencing food was part of what Robin loved, sitting
with you across the table is what she loved the most.
3: Her confidence:
Anyone who is already 5 foot 10 without heels, but still straps on 5
more inches of height – has CONFIDENCE.
Never intimidated by anyone or anything, she faced her life, challenges
and errands with a sense of purpose.
And if you asked her, don’t your feet hurt in those shoes, she would
simply say with a smile that “no they are actually comfortable”.
2: Christmas – It doesn’t feel like a coincidence
that my Mama left for heaven on St. Nicholas Day, the beginning of her favorite
time of year. She loved the tradition
and festive atmosphere of Christmas. She
could turn anything from ordinary to extraordinary in a home – especially
during the holiday season. People would
eventually come to tour several homes decorated, including four of her own, for
the Hudson Christmas Tour of Homes. For
those of you who might like some of Robin’s style to show off in your home this
Christmas, here are some tips she gave:
-use a fake
tree – build it from the bottom up one level at a time
-lights – go ahead blow a fuse or two with how many Mom
used
-more ornaments than you thought possible – small and
dainty to obnoxiously large
-no tree topper – she found whimsical
feathers and glittery branches to stuff at the top, much like Queen Elizabeth’s
hats
-fishing line to attach it to the wall as the tree was inevitably
going to fall over
The number one thing we love about Robin is Ashley. Watching the love, tender compassion and
relentless effort that Ashley poured into her mother’s battle was not only a
testament to the way Robin raised her daughter, but felt to all who witnessed
it, a living illustration of God’s love.
With love pouring out of her eyes, we watched Ashley massage her mom’s
face, gently apply lipstick, and kiss her all over. She worked late into the night, researching
and reading, grasping for all tools and information that might help make
Robin’s journey better in any way. She
spent her days on the phone with doctors, insurance companies, and family
members, seeking help, care and comfort for Robin. In Ashley, you see Robin’s smile, Robin’s
style, Robin’s confidence, Robin’s love for travel and adventure, Robin’s love
for her family. Her spirit lives on in
Ashley and she will be smiling in pride as she watches over her in the days to
come.
