A Very Hard Year

Photo 1.  NASCAR car driven in honor of Robby's service
Photo 2.  At high school graduation
Photo 3.  Back from training
Photo 4.  March, 2011, with G-Ma

One year ago today, March 21, 2011, we lost our Marine, Robby Rawlins.  I have been thinking for days how I could do something to honor him, but I have been empty in spirit and in heart.  I'm crying as I write this, but I've decided just to celebrate his life - that's what he would've wanted.

Robby had behavioral issues when he was little.  One day, mom and dad came home only to find that Robby had decided to remove a few light bulbs with his BB gun.  He also redecorated the mirrors, thinking they looked better with a few scattered holes. 

I remember one Sunday in church, as the congregation stood to sing, he took off running on the pews that were now minus their occupants.  If I remember correctly, it took a couple of us to corral him. 

It wasn't until later that he was diagnosed as having ADHD.   After receiving some help in the classroom, and getting involved in sports was he able to work off some of that excess energy.  He graduated from high school and went immediately into the Marine Corps, a longtime dream of his. You can understand why we were so very proud of him.

He served one tour in Iraq, was stationed in Guam, participating in the ceremonies commemorating the battle of Iwo Jima.  When he came home, he brought me a baggie with some pieces of sea glass and shells.  He couldn't have brought me anything better since I've always been on the hunt for bits and pieces of treasure like that - and I don't believe he even knew it.

Shortly after his death, his sister, Ashleigh, discovered that she is pregnant.  And yes, it is a boy.
Robby's full name was Robert (named for his dad, grandfather and great grandfather), William (named after my husband and Leah's dad), Rawlins.  His nephew's name is Robert William Smith.  His legacy and those of the men who passed before him will continue.

The above photos are the memories I keep close to my heart:  The boy he was and the man he was becoming.  The last photo was taken in March, 2011, and was the last time I saw him.  The disarming smile and mischievous gleam in his eyes is how I hold him in my heart.  

I love you to the moon and back, dear Robby, dearest grandson....

Something About Nothing...

I guess it's about time...  I keep jinxing myself by saying I'm gonna start blogging faithfully; but, it just isn't happening.  Since my laptop is not working, and I have yet to figure out to to post from iPad (yes, I know - I'm dumb), I need to sit at the PC to update.  Even with a good chair my back aches like mad sitting here.  Whining.  Sorry!  But I really love the concept of blogging and miss the good ol' days. 

I've found a new hobby:  embarrassing myself on Facebook.  My grandson-in-law, Jim, got a ticket this a.m for driving his MOTORCYCLE 116 mph.  If you all remember, my grandson, Robby died on his motorcycle almost a year ago (21st of this month).  Jim and Ashleigh are going to be parents next month, they already have a beautiful little girl - and he's out acting the fool on his bike.

Well, I tore into him on FB, where he had posted the ticket, and told him his father-in-law needed to kick his butt.  Well, I thought I said "kick."  Uh uh.  I typed "lick."  So the kids (and their friends) have had a lot of fun teasing me about that one!

Life is moving at such a rapid pace it's unbelievable.  We've jumped from a very nice, cool spring into a very warm beginning of summer.  We took out a big orange tree - neither of us can eat them - and various and sundry other old woody bushes.  The yard looks a lot bigger!  I'm going nuts putting in colorful perrenials to disguise that ugly grey stone wall.  Hopefully, it will look really nice in a couple of weeks.

Something of interest:  My brother performed a wedding at which he received a rather large gift, so he is using that to enter the National Geographic DNA "Tree of Life" project.  It will take our DNA back 30 generations!  Can you believe it?  He's thinking middle Europe, possibly Hun/Visgoth/ - you know, the "swarthy" people.  We're telling him women do not have asperations to be "swarthy!"  Anyway, it will be extremely interesting.  Both my brother and our grandfather have our lineage (dad's side) going back to Austria.  My mom's lineage is English and Welsh,and possible French. 

Now, I'll know what to call myself! 

Miscellany