When I walked into my office this morning, I got settled in and as I sat down in front of my computer, the little "beep" sounded, alerting me that I had new email. It was a mass email to everyone on our floor. As you may or may not know, I work for a small law firm. We sublet from a much larger firm. So the email came from the main partner of that firm. The subject line read, "Robin". It took me a few minutes before I realized they were referring to one of the paralegals that works for them. The email started, "It it with great sadness..." A lump formed in my throat and my stomach did somersaults. Robin had succumbed to the beast that is breast cancer earlier this morning. She fought the good fight for almost a year. I've only been at this job for about nine months. Robin was one of the first ones to welcome me and even gave me the "grand tour". She was a very nice and very sweet woman. Even though near the end, she was in very visible pain and discomfort, she always, always had a smile on her face. I will never forget that. She was only 48 years old but looked well over sixty. She walked like my 89 year old grandmother used to walk. She used to wear fedoras with diamond studs on them. I swear she had one in every color imaginable. Robin worked until about three weeks ago. The last time I saw her, she and I rode the elevator together down to the deli. She could barely walk, yet here she still was. After reading that email I sat in my chair and started crying. I cried for this woman who I barely knew. I cried for her family and friends she left behind. The office was very somber today. Eerily quiet. Everyone it seems was walking on eggshells. Everyone was extra nice to one another. Even the "Negative Nellies".
In our haste to live our lives and get things done, we often forget or lose sight of the bigger picture. We're not going to be here forever. We only live like we are. Death puts things into perspective. A reality check of sorts. Actually, any major event does that. Good news, bad news, even "no news". It's all in us as to what or how we react to such situations.
There is another star in the sky tonight, shinning brightly. Rest in peace Robin.
10 comments:
May she rest in peace.
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Oh Yvonne... that brought a tear to my eye...
Robin sounds like a woman with unbelievable strong conviction, and courage and strength to keep coming to work with a smile on her face...
You may have only known her for 9 months, but her kindness probably will leave a mark on you and those around her for years and what a beautiful legacy that is.
Hugs my lovely friend!
Tracy xxoo
:( So sad when good people leave the earth early.
This is really touching tribute to the woman I am sure she wants to be remembered as. Sorry for your loss.
Sorry for your loss. A death in the office, even of a colleague you might not have known very well, is still a pretty big tragedy. Especially in a small office.
My condolences to you and your firm.
Ditzy- thanks love!
Tracy- thank you! She did leave a mark, one I will always remember.
Israel- very true
RG- Thank you!
David- thank you! Yes, it was and still is very tragic, I agree.
She sounds wonderful. We all the potential to live this life with grace. I think if we can hold on to our self awareness and be in alignment with who we really are all of the time that it can be done. That is when we can make awesome things happen for ourselves and others. Maybe Robin gave that gift to you. So long as people are remembered, they are not dead. They live on. And if they can live on as inspiration... ah, how remarkable that is!
I'm sorry for your loss and the loss everyone at work must feel. She sounds like a remarkable woman. My blogging friend Claudia recently lost a co-worker also. He was fairly young and had children. May God bless their families and help them.
Robyn - yes i was thinking the same thing. how the way you live your life could transform into leaving a legacy of inspiration for other people.
Belle- Thank you Belle! My heart goes out to your friend Claudia.
What a lovely tribute to a fabulous woman. I especially love people who go above and beyond when you can't imagine that they possibly could.
Realities that bring life into perspective are so valuable and they are all around us if we will only see them. Sorry this time reality had to be sad.
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