Robyn DeLong, an author, teacher, speaker, and life coach, is also a former student and long-time friend of Joshua’s House Hospice Founder/CEO, Marlene Fitzwater.
She knows from her own experience that it’s possible to use the rich,sacred soil of sorrow to grow, expand, and deepen our connection to life and to love.
Robyn lost her youngest son, Michael, at the age of 36 from anautomobile accident. She has since created a gentle, self-pacedhealing program for bereaved parents who want to find peace of mind and reconnect with their joy and happiness. She writes a weekly Morning Cuppa Joy, which reminds herself and her readers to focus on the beauty and love that surrounds us and to pay attention to the joy that bubbles up in the midst of chaos. In her words, “It’s areminder to be grateful for each precious moment and for the loved ones we get to share those moments with.”
True to her giving and caring spirit, Robyn has stepped up to make her stuffed puppies and kittens as gifts to residents of Joshua’s House Hospice. Many of our terminally ill, homeless neighbors have to leave their pets behind when they become residents of Joshua’s House.Robyn’s delightful “pets” provide comfort as they navigate the transition.
“Marlene was a favorite professor of mine when I was a student at CSUS and she chaired my master’s thesis committee,” says Robyn. “I’ve followed her over the many years since I graduated and was thrilled when she joined my Rotary Club. I wanted to find a way to contribute to Joshua’s House, both because I believe strongly in its mission, but also because I love Marlene and her passion for making a difference. I’ve been making cloth dolls and stuffed animals for a few years now and have given away more than 150 to at-risk children. Whenever I sell a doll or stuffie, the funds go right back into purchasing supplies to make more. I hope the puppies and kittens I’m creating for Joshua’s House bring joy and comfort to its residents.”
(To purchase a cloth doll or stuffed animal, or to make a donation to Robyn’s project, please email her at robyn@delongteam.com)
Robyn is a certified life coach, published author and poet, a former college professor, and recently retired from a career as a full-time realtor in Sacramento, California. She is available to speak on topics such as:
- Beyond the Stages of Grief
- How to find the blessings in unspeakable sorrow
- How to use the darkest night of your soul to open your heart and connect to your purpose
- How to create a new life story filled with wisdom, joy, and laughter
Robyn has appeared on local TV and has been personally coached by great transformational leaders including Jack Canfield, Dr. Joe Dispenza, Wayne Dyer, Mary Morrissey, Maria Nemeth, and Bob Proctor.
Her books are available on Amazon:
- From Grief to Grace…a Mother’s Journey
- Finding the Good in Unspeakable Sorrow: Journal your Way to Peace of Mind
- Tilling the Sacred Soil of Sorrow: Tools for Living Joyfully from a Broken-Open Heart
- Moments of Stillness
Marlene was recently featured on Robyn’s Newsletter, “Morning Cuppa Joy.” You can read the newsletter here.
