V. B. R.: My Mother's Story

By some standards, the life of Virginia Butler Robbins was an ordinary one, but to those who knew her, she was a remarkable woman. The death of her father at a very young age and the loss of a brother in WWII saddened, yet strengthened, her. All of the adversities of her life, including the loss of her sight to macular degeneration, were handled with dignity and grace. Capturing her sense of humor and delightful personality is difficult in print. But through her story, told here in her words and in the words of her daughter, perhaps you'll find a little of what endeared her to all who were privileged to know her. Giving an inspirational talk after losing her sight, she closed with "All in all, I would say this. I have had a good life for 80 years and I'm still enjoying life. And as I say, when things get rough with you or you have problems you don't know what to do with, remember you have your faith, you have your family, and you have your friends. And then, if you'll be sure to hold on to your sense of humor, you'll make it."