Have you ever asked yourself, “how am I going to do this,” as you look at what lays ahead. Maybe you are running a marathon and 10 more long uphill miles seem impossible to finish. How about that term paper due tomorrow? Mrs McGilicuddy told you to start a month ago and you’ve just got the first page done with midnight approaching. Likely, some first time parents face that same question with the birth of a child. With that question in mind, I’m going to tell you about a lovely person that I met who has answered that question with a smile on her face.
The first time I saw Robbin, she was surrounded by kids and she was directing them as the questions flowed while they encircled her. This had taken place a few years ago at the Somerset Folk Harp Festival and I was fascinated with her handling of them as they all seemed impatient at that particular moment. After a direct and practical response to the children, she then turned to them all and smiled. Not just any smile, but a warm and unbelievably bright smile that could soften the world’s troubles.
I never spoke with her that day but when I saw her moving about, it would always catch my eye as everyone near her would react to her presence and smile. The laughter flowed whenever she was telling stories or conversing with others and it seemed like people near her were absorbed into the moment. People gathered around her all wanting to be part of the happiness and fun being projected from the conversations. This kept me very curious about her and I was determined to meet her as well.
Unfortunately, for me anyway, I was only able to exchange pleasantries with her as she had much to do at the festival and I was busy recording video among other tasks. I remember asking a friend about her and she replied that Robbin was such a gem and really works well with children. That only served to make me wish that I had the chance to talk to her at the Somerset Folk Harp Festival that year.
Fast forward a few years. I had different opportunities to speak with Robbin as well as watch and listen to her perform at the harp festival. Each year we both returned to Somerset, I would work on staff and she would teach harp studies and work with a kids music performance program. It should be noted that Robbin is a well versed harpist and a music teacher in the East Orange, New Jersey, school district. Now, most of my conversations with her were mild and pleasant but I never actually got to really know this vibrant, charismatic, and just really nice person with the wonderful smile. However, this year I could not be stopped as I waited for her to be free of followers, teaching duties, and downtime from the kids always around her.
Robbin was standing alone at lunchtime and I made my way to her. That bright smile flashed as I approached. I told her how I had been meaning to speak with her, especially after she admitted during a concert the year prior that she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. She reached out and held my hand and said she would love to talk to me, with a smile of course. I told her that my curiosity about her oral declaration stemmed from my various connections to a friend with MS and my efforts to fundraise on behalf of the MS Society. I went on to say that I really could not get over how her smile could brighten up a room, along with her presence. This was my driving force to learn more about her.
We immediately commenced chatting about the world and every subject in between for what seemed more than an hour, but there was no time concern between us. In that moment with her I grew ever more fascinated. Robbin explained how she perceived her life having been diagnosed with MS by saying, “there is always someone who has it worse.” It was at that moment I knew where her beautiful smile might come from. It came from within her heart. Her selfless expression, despite a life changing diagnosis, is a smile that belies her condition. This is Robbin.
We made plans to meet after the harp festival to continue our conversation. My wife came along and we caught up with Robbin at her house. It was a great afternoon. Robbin, acting completely like her warm and friendly self, absorbed my wife into much of the conversation. I asked about her diagnosis and how it had affected her life. Robbin discussed how she was having problems with her leg among other things and a friend talked to her about going to see the doctor which led to that moment. She said it was hard at first but she felt that no matter what, someone always has it worse. She said she was determined to keep moving and do whatever she could to continue her life as normal as it would allow. The only difference from the diagnosis until now has been her acceptance to now talk about her living with MS. In the beginning she would feel slightly ashamed. She knew that she walked different but as long as she could not see herself, she could keep it from her mind to speak about it. After a while, Robbin did tell students of her harp studies that she had MS because of questions that might arise from the kids. In spite of everything that transpired over the years, her faith and wonderful smile have carried her through. Not wanting to forget to mention, her husband has been there the whole time supporting her in so many ways that coverage on that would be a separate interview!
Interesting to point out, Robbin is now involved in a study with the use of her own Stem Cells. It is hoped that there will be answers leading to a medical cure with her participation along with many other people. The facility she travels to is located at the Tisch MS Research Center of New York. It is the home of International Multiple Sclerosis Management Practice which is under the direction of Dr. Saud Sadiq. Dr Sadiq is a recipient of grants from the National MS Society, which in turn help fund this research program. Robbin hopes it may help her someday but realistically stated without hesitation that she hopes that this will help others. It was not an easy thing to go through both mentally and physically. She knew it was the right thing to do because without someone trying, how will anyone ever know if there is a cure. A very selfless statement considering all that she went through and what she felt participating in this medical study.
It was a wonderful afternoon that lasted past dinner. The comfort she shared, the candid conversation, that smile! There is so much to tell about Robbin from our afternoon together. I’ll offer a few tidbits. Her mom is a lovely flower gardener but was having a bad hair day and didn’t come down the steps to meet us and discuss. It was ok, next time maybe. Robbin lives with both parents and gladly so. She has a loving husband. She has more harps in her living room during the summer than winter. We know, we were surrounded. She has received many awards for teaching, playing and promoting the harp. She once played in South America at the French Ambassador’s residence in Bogata, Columbia. Carnegie Hall, television, Symphony Orchestras, and school music teacher all just a few of her appearances and credits. She is indeed amazing.
My only regret was not having the chance to really get to know her before this day when I visited her. That thought is overshadowed by such a wonderful time with her on this day, such is the reward of visiting with her. Robbin is a caring and selfless giver of hope for good things in all people. To have such adversity, and she does admit it is not always a good day, but the smiles continue. The line of conversation was always captivating and full of energy. I have to take a page from her outlook on life. There is always someone who has it much worse than you. No matter our own self described or affixed issues, everyone has the ability to complain or find the glass half empty. My thought is this as I think about my time with Robbin. Maybe we could all just smile more and get through our days without thinking of ourselves so much. How much brighter would this world be? I can admit that the sun was shinning on me in the presence of Robbin. All through the day!
To see and learn more about Robbin visit her website at – robbingordoncartier.com To see more on my MS donation site, click here Thank you for reading and please come back for more Images of Life!