By Katherine Adams
Robyn Lyn is a woman who’s used to having to pick up the pieces of her life. The last few years have been particularly rough. After her 23-year marriage ended in divorce, she found herself practically penniless. Her future was uncertain, but although she didn’t realized it at the time, she would soon play a central role in an amazing circle of generosity and compassion.
A move to Galveston brought a wonderful new job at UTMB, a home in Fish Village that she loved, and a new lease on life—one that she was able to begin with a lot of help and encouragement. “Those years in Galveston were a wonderful time in my life,” she said. “I was divorced, but I still had my memories, all my photos of my kids growing up. I didn’t have anything else, but I had those memories, and that was everything to me.”
Restarting life post-divorce was not easy, but with a great deal of help from friends, she got everything she needed to begin her new life in her new home. “I got everything, including pots, pans, furniture, and even a coffee pot. I love motorcycles, and I was able to get a Harley-Davidson. It was the only activity I could afford. So I began my new life and it was great.”
After the hurricane hit, Robyn returned to her home to find complete devastation. “Nothing was salvageable,” she said. “All my photos and home movies of my kids, gone.” Soon thereafter, she and thousands of other UTMB employees were dealt another blow as they lost their jobs. Robyn’s younger sister suffered a hurricane-related accident that ultimately claimed her life. It would have been enough to undo most people.
Ah, but Robyn is not most people. Most people do not have the support of two groups of unlikely heroes—online biker clubs called The Brotherhood of the Gray Beard Bikers and the Shovelhead Forum—to literally ride to the rescue. “The BGBB started a fund for me at a bank to help me. They brought a trailer with a couch, pots, pans, dishes, other furniture, and a refrigerator. The Shovelheads brought me extra beds, tables and even a stereo. Everyone just wanted to help me.”
Receiving so much kindness from people, many of them strangers, changed Robyn’s life. “People were having a hard time themselves, but they still gave to me,” she explained. “They called, they helped, and they gave me money. They encouraged me. They brought hope back to my life. I am where I am today because of what those people gave me when I was at that point in my life.” Assistance from a FEMA program helped get Robyn into a home in Bacliff. Once again, she was on her way to yet another recovery.
The circle of generosity was about to begin anew in Robyn’s life. “I heard that the show “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” was coming to the area. I absolutely had to help. And it was the most awesome experience I have ever had.” Robyn went to the construction site in Kemah and said she would do anything she could to help the Beach family. “I loved seeing them get what I got—a lot of love from a lot of people,” she continued. “I lost my home, I lost my sister, but I couldn’t feel sorry for myself. What really matters is helping people and showing them love when they have to come back from that much destruction.”
Robyn went to the “Extreme” construction site daily, mainly working on decorating the children’s rooms. She painted, stained wood, and helped wherever possible. “I have such great new friends now,” she said. “I wouldn’t have given that experience up for anything. Those are wonderful people who don’t want any recognition for themselves; they just wanted to help someone else because they cared. Those are the kinds of people I like to align myself with now.”
Life is really good for Robyn now. She is currently enrolled at the University of Houston and is pursuing a degree in creative writing. She has good job prospects again. It’s hard to believe the uphill climb she’s had, but she only looks ahead. “People helped me after Ike. They gave, they encouraged, and they stuck by me. I got knocked down a lot in life and I felt like I could never get up again. Today, I am blessed that I could help the Beach family.” Robyn’s circle of giving is complete.
“You see, at the center of all religions is the idea of Karma. You know, what you put out comes back to you: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, or in physics—in physical laws—every action is met by an equal or an opposite one. It’s clear to me that Karma is at the very heart of the universe. I’m absolutely sure of it. And yet, along comes this idea called Grace to upend all that as you reap, so you will sow” stuff. Grace defies reason and logic.”
~Bono, lead singer of U2
http://www.theislandermagazine.com/coverstories/march2010/march2010B.html
http://www.theislandermagazine.com/
BGBB Website
Shovelhead Website
Paying It ForwardStories by Katherine Adams
Robyn Lyn is a woman who’s used to having to pick up the pieces of her life. The last few years have been particularly rough. After her 23-year marriage ended in divorce, she found herself practically penniless. Her future was uncertain, but although she didn’t realized it at the time, she would soon play a central role in an amazing circle of generosity and compassion.
A move to Galveston brought a wonderful new job at UTMB, a home in Fish Village that she loved, and a new lease on life—one that she was able to begin with a lot of help and encouragement. “Those years in Galveston were a wonderful time in my life,” she said.
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The episode runs
April 4th, 2010
8-10pm EST and PST &
7-9pm CST zone (Texas).
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