Many of you have only known me as an adult, which bless your hearts, is probably enough. One person, other than my parents, who has had the distinction of being at virtually every significant event in my life was Sandy Roberson and the entire Roberson clan. If you ask me a memory about my childhood and I cannot recall, I am likely to call Roland and Sandy for clarification, because they were there for them all. I love the story, as Sandy told it, about me storming into the hospital and demanding that everyone move so I could see "my RORO" and making all the adults move away from the newborn. (Being a mother now this makes me even more embarrassed but I just imagine that it made Sandy laugh and laugh to watch a 2 year old demand to hold her newborn son.) Then there were the countless trips to the river to float and camp out (yes, I used to camp out folks, I know its hard to imagine me doing that now but we did it every weekend and I LOVED it). It felt so exotic, but really we were just going down the Powell to the fake beach (which I thought was so cool) that Jim had made for us at the river. Over countless campfires Roland, Naz and I would come up with different ways to eat our hamburgers (some weeks it was ketchup only, then ketchup and mayo, or maybe ketchup mayo and mustard) and then roast marshmallows. I specifically remember one time we dug a huge hole in the sand and stuck Nazzy in there, which she did not like (we were not always the nicest of kids). I can also remember playing in the basement of the A-frame and having "experiments" with painting and other chemicals. Sandy was never afraid to let us make a mess and learn; she always encouraged our creative side, whether it was exploring rocks or making a mess, she never got angry with us for spilling paint, gasoline or traipsing through cow paddies.
Sandy also started many traditions for us that I treasure now and we have continued though we live far apart. Every New Years Eve, we all call each other right at the stroke of midnight to say Happy New Years. We also spent many Super Bowls, Fourth of July's and Christmas Eve's together with memories that are irreplaceable. Sandy took so many photos of everything that we all have it documented. I used to love coming into Jim's office and seeing what photos might be in my chart from our recent adventures together. (In some ways, I have tried to emulate this about Sandy because I loved it so much.)
At my wedding, Sandy was honestly one of the most excited for me and was one the first to promise to attend. She had such a wonderful time at my wedding and at the Jonesville reception. We still talk about her dancing and dancing with my Mom and my Mother in Law. She really was the life of the party! Then when I found out I was pregnant, Sandy also showered me with love. She sent me her favorite books to read to Roland and wrote in each one. I called her right before I had Teddy and she gave me the advice my own Mother could not-how to raise an amazing and devoted son. She was incredibly proud of Roland and Nazrin and was an amazing friend to everyone. Sandy never forgot a birthday or special event and she always made you feel loved and special. I will truly miss her and I will do my best to make sure that Orlando and all her other grandchildren know how wonderful she was.
I love you forever Sandy! Thank you for being there and always making me feel special; you will be missed but I know you are smiling and laughing with us each day as you watch over us all.
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