TRIBUTES AND MEMORIES

ucts from someone at DeLea Sod Farm, he went to Hicks Nurseries and asked for help.

“I came in here and I said, ‘Guys, I’m starting this from scratch, step by step, tell me what to do,’” Robinson said.

With the help and advice from employees at Hicks Nurseries, Robinson’s lawn began to grow and thrive.

“I was ecstatic. I saw all the green stuff. I saw it bloom and all that, and I said to myself, ‘Oh my god, it’s so good,’” Robinson said. “I didn’t want to buy sod because I figured this is a project I needed to do myself.”

Robinson said that his grass grew so thick and green that his neighbors started wondering if it was fake.

Langlois was impressed with Robinson’s commitment to the project.

“I’m very pleased to say that talking to him this morning he told me that he actually did everything: put the lawn in with the instructions of the people here at Hicks Nurseries, and he did everything on his own,” he said.

He also explained that Jonathan Green, a sixth-generation family business, focuses on quality over quantity when selling their grass seed.

“We’re not the largest seed company, but I have to say, I think we’re the best seed company,” Langlois said. “Because we don’t sell any in the national chain stores or the larger stores, we can keep a handle on quality and we only sell to the independents like Hicks.”

He also said that they believe customers will get better advice from local, independent stores – guidance which certainly proved useful to Robinson.

Robinson emphasized that growing an award-winning law wasn’t easy. It took lots of care and attention.

“It’s hard to maintain but if you moisten it –and just like your body, it needs vitamins – it’ll grow,” he said.

2020 was rough with the loss of many loved ones due to COVID. I thought the worst was over and then 2021 arrived, taking both my ex (who I was still friendly with) by suicide and my only daughter, Kylie (27 years old), by a horrifc car accident.

I am hopeful that they are both at peace. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of Kylie or have my private chats with her, whether in the car or walking to the train station, etc. I laugh, I cry, sometimes both at the same time.

I also sense her rolling her eyes at me, quite frequently. We had our ups and downs but had a very special bond. Not only did I lose my daughter, but I lost my partner in crime.

People ask me how I am able to survive and continue on. I used to think the same thing, how do people deal with the death of their loved ones?

For me, it was therapy, medication, love and support of family, friends, co-workers and a great group called Compassionate Friends. I know that I am not the same person I was previously, but I continue on knowing that my daughter would want me to.

I also try to keep myself busy and maintain my sense of humor. I wanted to share this message with others to let you know there are groups to support survivors of the death of loved ones.

You can call your local hospitals, doctors or therapists for recommendations.

Also, for those who are feeling hopeless, aside from support groups, there is also a new crisis hotline 988, that provides 24/7, confdential support to people in suicidal crisis or mental health-related distress. Know that you are not alone!

— Linda Katz