Robin Lea Middlebrooks Memories

7 Hour Lunch

2010-08-23T17:35:00.000-07:00

This morning I woke to a wonderful gift.... it was in my inbox.... a note from a friend of Robin from college. To quote Mary (Robin's mom), letters like this remind us that "we will never know just how many people think of her daily"... how many lives she touched and continues to touch!

I wanted to share with you my favorite memory of Robin, as it has become one of my favorite memories of college.

It was Robin's 23rd birthday. We all had classes that day. A friend of ours called me around 11 AM, and said that the plan was to take Robin to our favorite Irish Pub for a fun birthday "lunch" before classes. I dropped my books off in the classroom for my next class (I had about 2 hours until class started), and we went out for lunch.

Four of us went out and had lunch, and maybe a Guinness or two. We all danced and laughed in the empty bar. The bar tender gave us each plastic "Easter Egg" necklaces that we wore with pride. We had one of the most fun afternoons that I can remember. It was not until the sun went down that we realized how long we had been there. Time seemed irrelevant when we were with Robin. We had all missed our classes - but it was worth it. With Robin, life was the priority. Having one day to pretend that we did not have any responsibilities was something that we all needed. The consequences of playing hooky were worth it to have that one memory.

Robin laughed as they dropped me back off at school and watched me do the walk of shame back into the classroom so I could collect my books for the class that I never made it to. She helped me come up with ridiculous excuses for why I was well enough to drop my books off, but unable to make it to any class that day. Our lunch had lasted over 7 hours. It was one of those memories that my (now) fiance cherish when we think back to our favorite days in college.

We loved Robin. For as long as I live I will never forget her and how fun the world was when we were with her. I wish all of you the best. Take care.
~Lots of Love,
Kristin

Thank you so much Kristin & to all who help to keep our sweet Robin's memory alive!!!!

4 years

2010-08-13T07:27:00.000-07:00

Today is the day ...as we all stand so brave ...missin my beautiful baby girl, my best friend ...

ROBIN LEA MIDDLEBROOKS

...crossing to the other side ...my sister Carolyn had this banner made ...WOW

written by Mary (mom)

Happy Birthday

2010-04-21T06:21:00.000-07:00

"Robin Lea "would be 28 years old today if God wouldn't have taken her away ...as much as it hurts we must understand that it was his plan ...every day for the last four years I look at her picture and wish she was her ...but God gives me the Grace to take a deep breath & thank him for the 24 years I had ...Mom misses you baby girl ...Happy Birthday

~Mary

Robin's Cross & Cousin

2010-01-11T15:45:00.000-08:00

From Mary: Look what my sister Carolyn did and Montae went with her and took this pic ...Ahhhhh ...

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Mary also sent me this email the other day:

Hey, I just wanted to share ...I sent this necklace I made at Texas Homegrown to Montae for her birthday ..she just got it today and sent this pic to me ...maybe it's just me but before I could even open it I could see how much see looks like Robin (or Robin looked like her) ...sweet ...mnm

The center picture is Robin's cousin. Dax and I both thought the picture was Robin when we first opened the attachment. I thought it would be cool to put it with photos of Robin....of course I think we could add Mary into it too because they all favor so much!!!!

Just some thoughts...

2009-11-02T14:56:00.000-08:00

So today I was catching up on my google reader and read a post from my friend Thad. He is a friend of mine from high school. This post was a recount of the day he had a wreck. In the whole post he points out the blessings of the day. It's weird.... it just hit me hard. How it could have been different... for him....for us. I am thankful he is ok and is here to share his blessings. And rather than focusing on ever thing I wish was different for Robin.... I thought I would focus my thoughts on some blessings that surrounded us at that time.

On the day Robin died I had watched City of Angels. Even though I had seen it before and really hadn't wanted to watch such a hard subject again.....I couldn't take my eyes off. After it was over I got up feeling like I needed to make sure we made the most of EVERY moment. We spent the whole evening outside at the neighbors. Dax and I talked with our friends and laughed. I really remember feeling peaceful and happy. My leg had been in such pain that had been rare! What is wild neither one of us had our cell phones (we always do). When we went home, we got the kids in bed and said prayers. They went right to sleep (amazing for 2, 4, 7 and 7 yr olds). Then the phone rang..... the call we had been missing all night..... HE knew we needed that evening of peace and friendship....that our babies needed a good nights rest before they had to hear news that would shake their world....that Dax and I could cry together all night before telling the kids.

Although, any day I would rather read a blog post like Thad's from Robin telling of her blessings the day of the wreck....that she had walked away....how sweet it was to hug her family after.... I am confident that she was welcomed into Heaven that day.... greeted by her grandfathers, uncles, and all those that went before her.

Robin Available

2009-10-01T18:34:00.000-07:00

Mom/ Mary shared a group of beautiful photos she had taken. The last one made her think Robin was telling Dax Happy Birthday! See the orb in the middle! Below is her account of how Robin was speaking to them both!

Beth,

I was checking my email and had been on the computer for a while and all of sudden Yahoo Messenger pops up ...but its from Robin saying Robin's available ...I jump back in shock ...and i ask her how can she be available ? ...i grab-ed my phone and ran outside and my friend Edie ...i was just boo hooing and couldn't speak ...then i calmed down and i was ok enough to call Dax ...

It started sat night with the orb ...then yahoo messenger ... and when I took my exit I was escorted by a blue mustang ( just like Robin's ) all the way til the street before yours...all I know is Robin really wanted to say Happy Birthday to her brother ...that's why I gave him the birthday pic she drew when she was like 7 yrs old ...

I so miss her but she's with us all ...all the time ...
I love you ...Mary

3 years

2009-08-13T06:31:00.000-07:00

Well, it has been 3 years since you left and we all still miss you so much! Today, our crew is spending the day making happy memories. Dax is off work and we are going to take the kids to the children's museum. Just a couple of days ago, Jax was talking at dinner time about how BLESSED we are with family. He went on about every single person he loves and who loves him. Then he said I wish Aunt Robin didn't have to go to HEAVEN! It still stops everything.... Dax and I just quickly said "us too!" and then the rest of the crew joined in! Well, Robbie you are loved and missed. Watch over our babies and keep them safe!

Click here to view this photo book larger

Happy 4th Of July

2009-07-08T09:07:00.000-07:00

Sweet Emma sent a message to Aunt Robin on the 4th of July!

And Aunt Robin sent her a message back....

a shooting star that just her & Dax saw during the fireworks! It made them both very HAPPY!!!!

Hoping everyone had a wonderful 4th!

Always Ready To Pose!

2009-07-02T19:41:00.000-07:00

I guess growing up with a mom who takes outstanding photos you learn to pose! Well, the girl had it down.... of course she was so beautiful no posing was necessary ;-) I was scanning in old photos and realized how one of my favorites of her was just like an oldie!

Summer

2009-06-05T12:18:00.000-07:00

The kids got out of school yesterday, so summer has officially started for us. We have been hanging by the pool and swimming. My memories have drifted back to our last summer with Aunt Robbie! How blessed we are to have such sweet memories of her with us. Unfortunately, we were so busy having fun I took very few pictures! Here are a few from a couple of summers before she past..... She loved the sun & boy she ROCKED a bathing suit ;-)

Middlebrooks crew Floating the Guadalupe River

Jax and Robin.... Ollie was too little to float he stayed with a sitter this day!

Dax &Robin

April 21, 2009

2009-05-28T19:52:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I had great intentions about doing a blog for Robin's 27th B-day this year. I spent the WHOLE day scanning in old photos...... in the end NONE..... NOT ONE was saved. It brought me to tears....losing the hard work on top of doing something so emotional! For Mary's Mother's day I did manage to scan in a few..... so I needed to share! And in honor of the Blog I did about Siblings on my site I included some GREAT brother & sister pictures:

She REALLY looked up to Dax.

It was so sweet to read her diary & see how much he meant to her!

Oh...and look she is holding Toby....probably just like now ;-)

This was Robin's 1st visit to my place in Clear Lake!

Schlitterbahn fun.....the three of us had a blast with the underwater camera that day!

Mary & her babies ;-)

Goofing off at a family reunion!

We Love Robin!

2009-02-13T11:49:00.000-08:00

My friend Travis made this flower arrangement for Robin for Valentine's ...isn't it beautiful ...he's a really awesome guy... Mom ....Mary

Design Show Photos 05 & 06

2008-12-04T08:00:00.001-08:00

Hey Mary/Dax,

I found these pictures of Robin. This was the photographer for the 2005 and 2006 design shows. There are some cute pictures of Robin. Hope you enjoy.

Love you,
Montae
http://www.johnsavaresephotography.com/asid/

"I know where Aunt Robin is....."

2008-12-02T18:09:00.000-08:00

"HEAVEN!!!"

It always seems to be on the most beautiful days that Ollie remembers her. This statement popped out of his mouth while riding in the car today!

"I think that Aunt Robin is an Angel!"

I do too!

Screen Saver Photo

2008-11-10T21:15:00.000-08:00

This picture popped up in my screen saver today! Just wanted to share.

I think it is from 1999 or early 2000!

2 years...

2008-08-25T14:14:00.000-07:00

8-13-06 Mom (Mary) sent this to me last week and I thought it needed to be on the BLOG!

A 4 year olds comments on death

2008-07-14T06:26:00.000-07:00

Saturday was a beautiful sunny day here. In the afternoon, I went out to enjoy the day, peace n quite, and swing. My time was quickly interrupted by Dax and the baby. They decided to swing with me. I was getting tons of love from both of them. The baby sat in my lap and rested his head on my chest......... then it came out of his mouth... this is one of those moments that sting,

"I don't like dying!" he paused

so I asked, " what makes you think about that?"

"I don't like Aunt Robin being in Heaven and I can't see her!"

"I don't either, buddy........" Dax and I followed with all the reassuring points a father and mother can give.

The picture on the left is the first visit to meet him. The one on the right is the last time we saw her. I was always telling her I need to take a picture of how she had the magic touch with him. She would hold him and poof nap time started. On the day she was moving her stuff out she took the time to stop and cuddle with him.... well minutes later this was the picture. Something this day made me pick up the camera...... Thank God I did..... sweet memory!

We changed your room....

2008-07-08T20:38:00.000-07:00

I guess you know that.....

last night I had my first visit (not memory) from you in my dreams.... the kids see you often..... The main thing I remember was you were smiling so big. You were happy.... I'm glad you are watching out for us.

The Aunt Robin room looks much less like YOU...... your red couch is being stored, the walls are BEIGE!!!! But the kids still call it the Aunt Robin Room. Plans are being made for the next Aunt Robin Room......... I am thinking a Large Game room... a place of fun and laughter... around your babies....your red couch will be where they grow, laugh, and play.... but you already knew that!

On the girls b-day, my crew watched the video of the girls birth.....you were there.... you held our sweet babies...... helped Tigger eat to get out of the hospital..... precious memories....

we love you........... thanks for visiting me in my dreams..... it's good to know you are excited about the next adventure we are taking on...............

9 years...

2008-06-27T09:59:00.000-07:00

Last night, the girls asked if we could watch the video of their birth and the first couple of days being home in our apartment in Atlanta. It has been a few years since we watched it. It was a very special time that I got to spend with my girls. I knew in the back of my mind that Robin was on this video, but it still hit me when I saw her holding my girls. I am so glad that our girls were able to have such a great Aunt if even for a short time. Here is a picture of the girls showing off the fashion sense that I am sure is influenced by Robin.

Cake Decorating and summer fun

2008-06-26T14:01:00.000-07:00

Well tomorrow the girls will be 9..................... wow time flies....... two summers ago Robin and I were baking and decorating their slumber party birthday cake. We were so proud of how they turned out..... it was funny when we finished we both pulled out our cell phones and clicked pictures to text EVERYONE..... do you remember getting this?!?!

What a wonderful summer we had with Aunt Robbie here.....here are the last pictures she took of the kids.... they make me smile seeing them so happy and knowing she was the reason!!!