The heart of the matter

“For two years, Debra and Robert, as well as Sophie and Grace, have been on a train ride. They boarded with a ticket they never would have purchased. That ticket came by way of the unexpected loss of their son (and brother) Robie. No doubt, at dozens of times throughout any given day, they shout and cry to themselves in so many words: Stop this train, I want to get off. No doubt too, they dream, whisper, imagine how, not only would they like to get off that train, going to who knows where, but they would hope to climb back aboard and re-start the engine of the train that had been their life together with Robie, a train that had been going on such a beautiful adventure. Everything changed two years ago. Life as they knew it no longer existed. The sounds in the air changed, the colors of the earth changed, the smells in the air were different, the light that had been theirs was taken, and they have lived in the shadowlands - a place that has been a parallel world, but never has or ever will be the same. Events take place, a moment of laughter or reminder of the past may brush by or land loudly on their laps. Yet when a friend will, with all well meaning, say; Just like old times!’ if Debra, Robert, Sophie or Grace were honest, they may say aloud or to themselves: No! Nothing is really like old times. But we can share a laugh, as well as a tear, with you.” These profound words were read by the Rev. Randy Parks this past Saturday at the 2 year memorial service for Robie Masterson. His words had such an effect on so many people attending the service but the question that stuck was “How is your own life different today because of Robie?” “What has life taught you?” For the 546 children that were given the opportunity to have their hearts screened the answer would be that their families now have the assurance that there child, at this given moment, has a Healthy Heart. Many families across our country are losing children to Sudden Cardiac Death and are left asking the question why and wished they too had the opportunity that many Sparta children had. Two weeks ago the Sparta Middle School gymnasium was transformed into a triage unit, ready for the war on preventing sudden cardiac death in our children. The dynamic duo heading this effort were Debra Masterson and Kathleen Gagg of The Robie Foundation as well as 125 other volunteers, 45 which were in the medical field including Dr. Hardin, Dr. Balaguru, Dr. Einzig, Dr. Scarpa, Dr. Masci, Dr. Byers, Dr. Alenick and Dr. Kane. This was a huge collaborative effort of many volunteers trying to make Sparta a Heart Safe Community. The following quotes were taken from the numerous e-mails the foundation received and it adequately sums up what Debra, Kathleen and the team at the Robie Foundation has accomplished. Dear Debra, Robert and Kathleen, “I want to thank you for the unbelievably amazing heart screening event last weekend. From the moment I drove into the parking lot of the Sparta Middle School to the time inside to the exit procedure - I was overcome with emotion and awe at what you have accomplished. When one simply watches the evening news, we are bombarded with the bad in the world. You all are the best examples of what is good in this world. I know that my e-mail can never convey the gratitude that I feel for you. It also cannot adequately convey my sympathies to the Mastersons for the loss of your beloved Robie. I just want you all to know that your positive energies, born from the midst of crisis, are something that speaks volumes to the strength of your spirit and character.” “From the bottom of our hearts, to everyone for the amazing work done for the Heart Screening! Everything went smoothly and it was fun for the kids too - we appreciate it! They detected a small hole in my son’s heart.” “Thank you so much for what you are doing! The event was unbelievable and I am sincerely grateful for all you and Kathleen and the entire Foundation are doing! I was truly humbled by the overwhelming kindness and concern shown by everyone today.” “You have my heartfelt gratitude.” “Debra and Kathleen, First, I want to congratulate you on an amazing event. Organizationally, it was a tour de force. Very smooth. My general take on what I saw were a reasonable number of kids who should have some type of follow up. All in all, it was truly amazing! You should be very proud of what you accomplished. I was happy to be a part of it,” Dr. Scott Alenick The goal of the foundation is to inform, educate, enhance, protect and ultimately saves lives of young people in our communities. The Robie Foundation has achieved many accomplishments beyond what was originally imagined but they will continue to strive for higher goals and make NJ a heart safe state. For more information on our upcoming events please visit www.therobiefoundation.com Photos by Amy Cilli. For more photos, pleasevisit www.spartaindependent.com.