Love Your Neighbor

 

If it's true what they say that God doesn't allow more than you can handle, George and Karon Robertson must be two of His strongest soldiers. The two Ashton residents have endured more than most could handle without breaking. And now, after so many battles, George will soon be home no longer having to fight. Karon, however, will be forced to carry on without the love of her life by her side.

Neighbors and friends and anyone who wants to help out can donate to Karon and George through their niece's foundation, The Supportive Hope Network. Prayer is also sought after for the couple as Karon helps hospice care for her husband at their home during his final days.

"They would never ask for anything but I know that many people want to help them and don't really know how or are too far away to help," their niece Joye Angle Kinkade said. "This is an easy and effective way to show them how much they mean to the people who know and love them."

Two things that brough George joy were fishing and tinkering with mechanical stuff. 

"George is a very gentle soul who loves his family, is good to people and loves animals," Karon said. 

Kinkade said he is not afraid to let others know he loves them.

"I've always known him to be quick to love and quicker to forgive," Kinkade said.

Karon loves to sew, even making fabric dolls for Operation Christmas Child and also sending little gifts to children who have cancer and other ailments through a Facebook group. 

Kinkade described her aunt as someone who doesn't give up and who has unbelievable strength. 

"My Aunt Karon is the most even-tempered person I have ever met," Kinkade said. "She might get upset and she might be falling apart on the inside, but she tackles every problem with determination and grace."

George and Karon met in 1964 through a friend.

"I fell for him because he was a gentle and kind man," Karon said. "Also, I loved those hazel eyes."

The two had a beautiful life together raising their children and grandchildren. Kinkade said the two value family more than almost anything. When she came into the family by marrying their nephew they welcomed her with open arms and kept up that family bond even after her divorce. 

But through the happy times the two also had to deal with great pain and tragedy. When they lost their son at 19 to suicide, Karon said George became her rock when she fell apart dealing with the sorrow. 

"George put his emotions aside to take care of me," Karon said.

Despite this Kinkade remembers her aunt as strong even through this terrible time.

"Even after the devastating loss of her only son to suicide she was so strong," Kinkade said. "I admire her immensely and know that if she can make it through that then I can make it through whatever comes my way."

In 1984 everything would begin to change for George. He had surgery after a wreck in a cement mixer truck. Then two years ago he began to experience extreme back pain and had an implant put in his spine but the pain just kept getting worse. As he became weaker and weaker and in more and more pain the two visited doctor after doctor after doctor who all could find nothing wrong or any way to help. Finally it got to the point where George, who used to be so active and loved taking care of his property, could no longer walk and had to rely on his wife to take care of him full time.

"This has been very sad and frustrating for him not only because he is confined to the house but also because of the hardships that have been put on my aunt," Kinkade said. "I know he hates feeling like a burden to anyone, especially her."

Then, as if this wasn't enough, the two had a battle with the city over a wheelchair ramp they had installed by their church family to help George get in and out. The entire town of Ashton came to council meetings on their behalf to fight the city on their attempt to force them to take the ramp down. Finally, the city backed down and let them keep it temporarily.

After all this, a couple months ago, George had to go to the hospital after coming down with pneumonia and while trying to recover the doctors found cancer in his lung. George decided after all this, he wanted peace from the battles of this world and chose to go back home with hospice to spend his last days with his wife at his home. 

"This has been two years of torture not knowing what was happening," Karon said.

Friends, family and neighbors came together during this hard time to help the Robertsons with several things. In addition to helping install a wheelchair ramp and then fighting for them against the city to keep it up, locals and friends have also helped with household chores and their yard and brought them meals. Their next door neighbor, John Voiss, has plowed snow for them this winter. 

"This really is a great little town with people who care," Karon said. "There are just too many to mention."

Now, Kinkade is asking for help financially for her aunt Karon. Over 50 people have already helped to donate with average donation of $50 they are already 1/3 of the way to their goal.

"It doesn't take a large donation to ad up if a lot of people care," Kinkade said. "It's like giving up Starbucks for 10 days or 5 days if you get the fancy stuff."

Kinkade began The Supportive Hope Network after the birth of her youngest son Benjamin who was born with a genetic disorder. After finding little to no help or support for her son she decided to begin her own nonprofit to help people with special needs. Because of its nonprofit status every penny she raises goes straight toward the person she is trying to help. She tries to pick one person each month to help and knew she needed to help her aunt and uncle.

"My uncle is now on hospice and will soon be free from the prison his body has become," Kinkade said. "My aunt will be left alone and I want her to have a financial cushion that will alleviate some of the worry she has been carrying. They have been under so much stress. A successful fundraiser will allow them to focus on the important things at hand."

Karon appreciates all the help they have received from the loving town. She plans on using the funds raised to help pay for her to go back to their home in Nevada in the Spring for a celebration of life with George's family and friends. She also wants to have another celebration of life in Ashton for friends here. 

"I will miss George desperately and I am heartbroken that my soul mate will not be here with me but I am a strong believer that the Lord will carry me through," Karon said. "I also want to thank the Pastors who have attended George. God bless you all!"

To donate go to the Supportive Hope Network on Facebook and click on the link for George and Karon Robertson. Facebook