Who am I?
I've always been proud of the fact that I know exactly who I am, I've never had to question it.A country girl, born and raised in rural Missouri, I've been working since I was ten years old with my 10 siblings helping my Mom support us.
I worked long hours during every summer vacation in the corn and soybeans fields, picked strawberries and worked at the local shoe factory.
A college education and a lot of hard work and determination helped me to realize my dream of becoming a broadcast journalist.
I am the sum of all those years of life experiences rolled up into one.
But this weekend as I helped my husband and brother move my sister out of her third floor condo in Sagamore Hills with no elevator, a half dozen folks or so... made me stop and ask myself the question. Who am I or Who did they think I am?
We started around 9:30 Saturday morning and finished about 3pm. For hours, I carted out boxes, lamps, end tables, chairs and a zillion other odds and ends up and down three flights of stairs! To say I was exhausted would be an understatement!
Along the way, I would get stopped and asked; Aren't you Romona Robinson? You're on the News! Romona, what are you doing? I smiled at all of the curiosity seekers, answering their questions, even asking a few if they'd like to help!
But it was the question two ladies my husband overheard saying; Why is Romona Robinson carrying stuff, helping somebody move?...that spawned our conversation about how people perceive people on television.
Do they have visions of me being chauffeured around by limo, sipping on champagne and caviar, a team of hairstylists, makeup artists and a masseuse waiting on my every whim? Sure, I pamper myself once in a while, but I truly have a pretty normal life. I shop for my own groceries, take out the garbage and do some of my own lawn care.
I enjoy my family and friends, I'm fiercely loyal, when ever they need me; "that includes moving," picking up their kids from school, hospital visits etc.
I enjoy people in general, working in my community, like so many other unsung heroes who don't get the recognition. I learned from my Mother that you should never forget where you came from and who you are.
That's why the answer to those ladies question was so clear; Why was I carrying stuff helping somebody move? Because, that's just "WHO I AM."
posted by Romona at
4:07 PM
4 Comments:
HI ROMONA. thank-you for the e-mail. congratulation on your wedding anniversary. 4years ago this month. i went to wkyc.com click on ROMONA,S ROOM. saw a picture of you and your brother DANNY. if the world had more people like you, it would be better place. take- care, and god bless. JEFFREY BRUCKMAN.
Hi Jeffrey,
Thanks for hanging out in my room and the very kind compliment.
I hope you'll return.
Romona
Hi Romona! I watched the news today and learned you had a "blog"..so I decided to read, and kept reading and reading, until I came to this one. I've always known or "perceived" that you never forgot where you came from. I could tell, just from little comments you've made on your broadcasts. I've been watching you for years. Since you were the anchor woman on Channel 43. I've seen you blossom on Channel 3, you and Tim make a great team. Tim seems like such a great guy too. Like yourself, very down to earth. You guys crack me up, because you're not like a lot of other broadcasters, you have fun, but you are professional. It's okay to laugh on Live TV. I think it's makes you more likeable, because, people see that you do, "human" things, like mess up your words, or tease each other. Well I'm way off the subject here. Anyway, If I saw you moving your sister up 3 flights of stairs, I don't think it would've crossed my mind to say, "what is Romona doing, helping move things?", even if it weren't your sister, I believe, that the people whose comments you overheard probably have only seen you on TV a few times! No offense, because if they've watched you more, they would've seen, how many times, you HAVE reached out and touched people,ie., Romona's kids, and other caring acts that you have taken part in and that's only, what I have seen on TV. My first thought, not knowing it was your sister, would've been, "what is Romona up to?" LOL! I'm sure there are other things, that aren't even broadcast that you have done. I just wanted to say Thank you Romona. I think you're a wonderful person, with a great heart, and remembering where you came from, a not so easy life, but you say it with pride and love. God Bless you. Dawn B. PS. Please, when is Betsy coming back?
Hi Dawn,
Thanks so much for checking out my room and reading my blog.
I think you're absolutely right, people who don't know you...tend to make assumptions about you.
It means so much that you appreciate the job Tim and do. We often deliver tough news, but try to laugh whenever there's a moment to do so.
Betsy is back on Monday, I believe!
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