truth

"How people treat others is a reflection of what's going on inside of them and has nothing to do with you. Don't take any of it personally."

Josh Sheard - rest in peace

"We are pleased to inform you that the results are negative. There is no evidence of breast cancer at this time."
~ Dated 06/21/2008

And so read my results today when I opened the letter in the mail. After six long months, the worry is over. I'm free. It is a time to rejoice for my family and me.

But my good fortune comes on a day when there is devastating news from one of my dearest friends from up north. She lost her husband last week, on Friday the 13th.

Josh had been an optimistic guy. He had the kindest smile and made you feel like a friend from the start. I remember our first meeting when he and his wife, Nancy were relocating to Muskegon from the east for a job with Howmet. They had worked with one Realtor at another company and weren't satisfied with how they were being forced into a decision. Relocation buyers sometimes are seen as easy money by some agents who don't want to have to work too hard.

Josh and Nancy walked into RE/MAX during my floor time. A fluke really. They told me they wanted to look at as many homes as were available and not be forced into anything. No problem. I never did the hard sell. I always wanted my buyers and sellers to be happy.

From that first chance meeting years ago when they bought their home to now, Nancy and I have always kept in touch. When I was living in Muskegon, they came and saw my play performances. We watched each other's kids grow into adults. When I went up north to visit the first time back that I felt ready to talk to a few of my friends, Nancy was one of the six girls I invited to the little sandwich shop to see. And most recently, she decided to buy a motorcycle after wanting one for years... after she saw what it did for me. She took the course and went for it. I am so proud of her! She proved she could do anything.

Josh and Nancy were moving back home this year to be near family. Michigan never did suit them, just as it didn't suit me. We had that bond - we three. She was excited. Josh had already moved for a job and she was finally following after being left months in Michigan to finish up her job and do all the sorting and packing and selling. Nancy was only home one week with Josh when he died during a dialysis procedure. She said he left home happy that morning. Smiling.

Joshua Sheard will be greatly missed.
My heart goes out to all of those who love him greatly...
He truly is finally flying free.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
June 22, 2008

Joshua Sheard loving husband, father

HILLSBOROUGH — Joshua Sheard, 53, died suddenly June 13, 2008 at Raritan Bay Medical Center in Perth Amboy. Joshua was born in Savannah, Ga. and was formerly of Michigan before moving to Hillsborough.

He was employed as a controller for Telcordia Technologies in Piscataway for the past eight years.Surviving are his wife, Nancy and children, Joshua Jr., Kelly and Antoinette; two grandchildren.

Private funeral services were held Friday at Bruce C. VanArsdale Funeral Home, 111 N. Gaston Ave., Somerville, (908) 725-3111.

you can do anything you want to do

Working at my desk today the phone rang at 1:30 p.m. exactly.

"Hey Robyn. How ya doing?"

Omgosh! It's Jerry! My previous partner from real estate years ago when I lived up north.

"How are you doing Jerry? It's so good to hear from you."

We talked for awhile about family, the business, and ourselves. At the end of the conversation he said, "Well I just called to see how you were doing. I'm not surprised about your daughter. She's as smart as her mother."

I said, "Oh she's a lot smarter than me!"

"You are the smartest woman I know, Robyn," Jerry replied. "You can do whatever you want to do. You are my hero."

Validation comes when we least expect it. From people and places and things that sometimes we think are long gone never to return. There is a reason for everything and it's nice to know that when we're on the right path, we're encouraged, supported and it's easy.

Thanks for calling Jerry! You made my day.
I'm right where I'm supposed to be.

:-)

soar above the storm

Thank you Cathy, for sharing the following e-mail with me. As I told you, this scripture has been my favorite since I was 16... you are always an inspiration to me.

Love you!

~~~~~~~

EAGLES

Did you know that an eagle knows when a storm is approaching long before it breaks? The eagle will fly to some high spot and wait for the winds to come. When the storm hits, it sets its wings so that the wind will pick it up and lift it above the storm. While the storm rages below, the eagle is soaring above it. The eagle does not escape the storm. It simply uses the storm to lift it higher. It rises on the winds that bring the storm.

When the storms of life come upon us __and all of us will experience them __ we can rise above them by setting our minds and our belief toward God. The storms do not have to overcome us. We can allow God's power to lift us above them. God enables us to ride the winds of the storms that bring sickness, tragedy, failure and disappointment in our lives.

We can soar above the storm.

Remember, it is not the burdens of life that weigh us down, it is how we handle them.


But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary
They shall walk and not faint.
- Isaiah 40:31

And, as the song finishes:

Teach me Lord, Teach me Lord, to wait...

Congrats Jason & April!

The wedding was beautiful yesterday. You both glowed. I've never seen Jason smile so much and so big. Thank you for inviting Bethany, Tommy and I to share in your special day. We wish you all the happiness in the world... you both deserve it! I can't wait to be a great aunt again...

Love you,
Aunt Robyn


p.s. Tell your mom to learn how to upload or e-mail pictures! LOL

Oh how I wish I had a working camera!!!

my kids are all home

Life has been full, amazing, different, varied, trying, happy, sad, and many other things these past few months. Today, I am joyful.
All my kids are home. All three. With me.

:-)

Went to Hobby and picked up Bethany and Tommy at 11:30 p.m. last night. We didn't get home until 1:00 a.m. Stopped at HEB and got some things they like to eat. Joel was home and up and for once I had all three together.

Work has been difficult lately but I'm not complaining. God has a plan, I just don't see it. I wake up every morning thankful for what I do have and wondering where the road is going to take me today.

Bethany and Tommy, for no reason, bought me two dresses and a pair of shoes. Bethany said, "Now you don't have to wear that 80's blue dress..." We're going to a wedding on Saturday...... lol

Joel bought me a lawn mower for Mother's Day. Bethany and Tommy are buying me clothes and shoes. My kids are taking care of me. It should be the other way around. Bethany told me that I do for her all the time but I can't see it. I only wish I could do more... every day I breathe.

My children are adults now. They don't 'need' a mother... but they want to be with me. It is an amazing thing... the love children bring to life. I will never regret the past that gave them to me.

They are the world to me.

Congrats Stephanie!

A.K.A. Ms. LPHS and Ms. Most Beautiful (Way to go Steph!)

You did it! Graduated La Porte High School last night with $40k in scholarships... omgosh... You're on your way baby!!! Woo hoo! There is nothing or no one that can stop you from living your dreams. Don't worry about leaving home when you go away to Texas State in the fall. Home will go with you... it's in your core. It will always be there... just look inside, you'll see.

I am so very proud of you... :-)
Love,
Aunt Robyn

Congrats Joel!

Getting ready to go to Stephanie's high school graduation ceremony is making me think of you. The fact that you graduated six months early two Decembers ago and never had a formal ceremony. It was such a difficult time back then and you simply wanted to be done with school. You finished up and graduated, diploma in hand -- but never had that formal public acknowledgment where we could as a family congratulate you.

I know you're happy with that choice of not having a party or going to graduation, but I've never said how very proud I am of you here, on my blog. In public. For finishing school on your own. For following through. For taking care of yourself and doing what you had to do. I have told you other ways how proud I am... just not here.

With all of the other graduations and achievements our family is experiencing this year that I've mentioned here, I wanted everyone else to know how very proud I am of all you have done and all you continue to do. You have a strength of character that is amazing to me. I admire you.

I love you Joel,
Mom

Congrats Chase!

On receiving the Clarence Jaeks Citizenship Award at TSBVI during this year's secondary awards ceremony today! You were the only middle school student to receive an award. I'm impressed and Grandma and I are so very proud of you, Chase. And, wow! Your piano has really come a long way. I loved hearing you play during the assembly.

You have worked really hard this year and it shows. Hopefully you'll hear this message with Jaws when you are surfing the net. I looked up the specifics on the award and here are your accomplishments. Keep up the great work in school honey!

I love you,
Aunt Robyn

~~~~~~~~~

3. Clarence A. Jaecks Citizenship and Most Improved Citizenship Awards

The recipient of the Citizenship Award must:

1. positively accept and seek responsibilities
2. respect fellow students and staff
3. cooperate with fellow students and staff
4. respect and display an understanding of differences in others
5. exhibit exemplary behavior on campus and in community settings.

The recipient of the Most Improved Citizenship Award must have shown considerable improvement in the above areas.