To Robin, With Love

I have a myspace account and on it there is this girl I knew, named Robin. She used to live across the street from us in Rowland Heights. She used to be my Sister, Wanda's best friend before Wanda got married and moved. Some years later, we began hanging out together and became the Best of Friends. She eventually started dating my High School friend, Dave (That's a WHOLE OTHER STORY). Then we moved here to Las Vegas and Robin and I lost touch. She eventually moved to Indiana, met a guy and got married.

The point of this story takes an unfortunate turn at this point. A little over 2 years ago I got a call from her. My sister had given her my number and she had called me. We talked for almost two hours. We exchanged stories and e-mail addresses and vowed to keep in touch. I was newly out of the hospital from MY ordeal and still recovering so It was really GREAT to hear from her. I even got her Brother and Niece's e-mails so I could write them. It was kind of like "Old Times". Then came the news.

Her Brother called me one day. "Doug... Sit Down." he said. "Robin passed away last night. We don't know the details, but she hadn't been feeling well for a while." I had already been an emotional "train wreck' since my ordeal and now I felt as if I had just been run over by a bus ! Well it turns out that there were no more details... she had some kind of infection and ... just... Died. Needless to say I was numb for quite a while. I don't "DO" funerals. I Just Don't. (Hell, He's having a hard time writing THIS.) Well, I did, and I shouldn't have. I wept ALL DAY, literally. I'm sure I just made it harder for her family.

Now it gets strange. About 6 months ago, her myspace account appeared as "People You Might Know". I'm sure that I removed it from MY account, but it must still be on her Brother's and it's still active. When I saw her name, I did the only LOGICAL thing I could think of... I wrote her. I felt better and a little less sad when I was done.

It happened again 2 days ago and I wrote her again... just as if she were still here. I'm sure she still is, in some way, and reminds me of it occasionally. It's a good thing. In the hustle and bussel of daily life, we all to often forget those who have gone before us. At least I know she'll be there to greet me when I get there.