This is Roberta, who I've always known as my Aunt Robbie, my mom's baby sister.
30 years ago this fall, during my freshman year at BYU, the phone in my dorm room rang early one Saturday morning. It was my mom, calling to tell me that Robbie had been in a horrific automobile accident the night before. A young man, only 17 years old, was out driving drunk with no headlights on when he hit Robbie's car head-on. She was alive, but seriously injured and in a coma.
It was many weeks before she woke up, now confined to a wheelchair, permanently unable to walk, her eyesight forever impacted, her arms limited in their capacity. For many, this would mean the end of their lives, but for Robbie, this was a new beginning.
Prior to her accident, she had strayed from the teachings of the Gospel she had been taught as a child, choosing to drink and party and follow the ways of the world. Robbie chose to wholly turn her life over to her Heavenly Father and Savior.
Since her accident, Robbie has cheerfully endured all things and patiently carried on. For now, her body may be damaged and limited, but her spirit is beautiful and whole. She knows that the day will come when she will leave her broken frame behind, only to be united with it perfected and complete again in the resurrection.
Robbie's story brings to my mind Christ's declaration in Matthew 16:25, “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” Through this experience, Robbie has truly found and embraced her Savior.
This weekend, I had the pleasure of visiting family and seeing Robbie and her smile again for the first time in over a year. While we visited, I promised Robbie I would write a poem to share her story. I came home tonight and did just that.
I hope she loves it just as much as I love her and her incredible example of what it means to carry on in spite of great pain and adversity to live a well-lived life.
Roberta's Tale
Her life had changed so fundamentally.
Within her body, she was now confined.
Awaking, new surroundings she could see,
The accident not clear within her mind.
Out driving on a Friday with her friend,
No headlights of the other car, no horn.
Her life was spared that night. It did not end.
In fact, that night Roberta was reborn.
Her body damaged, now incapable,
No longer could she choose to drink, imbibe.
Her spirit did persist - unbreakable.
The universe a new path did prescribe.
Her life of sin did pass away that night.
Unto her Savior's light, she did return.
As His commands became again delight,
Her path ahead a means for her to learn.
The life she knew, she lost, yet she did find,
Her life became more precious than before.
Though eyes were damaged, Robbie was not blind,
Discerning clearly all He has in store.
Oh, may you glean a lesson from her tale.
Oh, may you gaze upon eternity.
Oh, may your spirit win and yet prevail.
Oh, may you yet embrace your destiny.
30 years ago this fall, during my freshman year at BYU, the phone in my dorm room rang early one Saturday morning. It was my mom, calling to tell me that Robbie had been in a horrific automobile accident the night before. A young man, only 17 years old, was out driving drunk with no headlights on when he hit Robbie's car head-on. She was alive, but seriously injured and in a coma.
It was many weeks before she woke up, now confined to a wheelchair, permanently unable to walk, her eyesight forever impacted, her arms limited in their capacity. For many, this would mean the end of their lives, but for Robbie, this was a new beginning.
Prior to her accident, she had strayed from the teachings of the Gospel she had been taught as a child, choosing to drink and party and follow the ways of the world. Robbie chose to wholly turn her life over to her Heavenly Father and Savior.
Since her accident, Robbie has cheerfully endured all things and patiently carried on. For now, her body may be damaged and limited, but her spirit is beautiful and whole. She knows that the day will come when she will leave her broken frame behind, only to be united with it perfected and complete again in the resurrection.
Robbie's story brings to my mind Christ's declaration in Matthew 16:25, “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” Through this experience, Robbie has truly found and embraced her Savior.
This weekend, I had the pleasure of visiting family and seeing Robbie and her smile again for the first time in over a year. While we visited, I promised Robbie I would write a poem to share her story. I came home tonight and did just that.
I hope she loves it just as much as I love her and her incredible example of what it means to carry on in spite of great pain and adversity to live a well-lived life.
Roberta's Tale
Her life had changed so fundamentally.
Within her body, she was now confined.
Awaking, new surroundings she could see,
The accident not clear within her mind.
Out driving on a Friday with her friend,
No headlights of the other car, no horn.
Her life was spared that night. It did not end.
In fact, that night Roberta was reborn.
Her body damaged, now incapable,
No longer could she choose to drink, imbibe.
Her spirit did persist - unbreakable.
The universe a new path did prescribe.
Her life of sin did pass away that night.
Unto her Savior's light, she did return.
As His commands became again delight,
Her path ahead a means for her to learn.
The life she knew, she lost, yet she did find,
Her life became more precious than before.
Though eyes were damaged, Robbie was not blind,
Discerning clearly all He has in store.
Oh, may you glean a lesson from her tale.
Oh, may you gaze upon eternity.
Oh, may your spirit win and yet prevail.
Oh, may you yet embrace your destiny.