Books
CHILD OF THE UNIVERSE
A Memoir (Based on a True Story) by Robyn Robins
Child of the Universe dares you to walk a mile in the shoes of those who care for a family member experiencing addiction and mental health issues.
Every so often comes a book you will be afraid to pick up and cannot put down. Child of the Universe will offer you that challenge.
Where is the little girl who brought love and joy to a family?
Where is the lovely child who sang and danced in the sunlight?
When did the change happen?
The soul cries and a family mourn as they desperately search for Kali and pray for answers.
A family’s growth and survival through this pathway of heartache can only make you peer into the shadows as you hear the whisperings in your heart, ‘This could be me.’
It is the author’s hope that in some small measure it may assist those who hold the hand of the mentally ill and walk beside those experiencing addiction.
Child of the Universe is a story of love, faith and courage that will touch your heart.
- Australia Wide AUD$26.95 incl P & H
- Asia Pacific Incl NZ AUD$31.95 incl P & H
- USA & Canada AUD$36.95 incl P & H
- Europe & the Rest of the World AUD$39.95 incl P & H
while the story tears at your heartstrings for a young life unfulfilled, it is also an uplifting story.”
THE author’s true story about her daughter, Kali, and her battle with drug addiction and mental illness is written with such love and eloquence. It is clear that having a family member gripped by these demons is a never-ending rollercoaster that takes all family members for an unwelcome ride.
Deep sadness and anguish, days and weeks without knowing your daughter’s fate, two brothers crying in each other’s arms over the disappearance of their sister – again, a Nan who embraces the situation with love and humour. And always there is endless patience … and hope … and crushing disappointment.Robyn Robins story, Child of the Universe, is heart-wrenching stuff – there but by the grace of God …
Yet while the story tears at your heartstrings for a young life unfulfilled, it is also an uplifting story. The love of family, mum, Nan, the two brothers, close friends. ...
The story also touches on the treatment of the drug-addicted and mentally-ill by the police, the courts, the welfare and rehabilitation systems – and another element, the addiction to religion and how such a life can isolate close family members.
Robyn Robins was a divorced parent raising three young kids when her eldest child, Kali, crashed off her life path. Robyn dealt with the task of raising three children alone in a brave and loving manner. So touching is her son, Damon's, tribute to her at the beginning of the book that you know the family always grew with love.
If you have a mentally-ill or addicted family member, then this book will be calming to your soul – for you do not walk the path alone.
it may not be a pretty story, but it is certainly an inspiring one.”
This is a mother’s story of love, regret, guilt, failure, triumph and acceptance. Robyn Robins has three beautiful children, Kali, Damon and Lucas. The foreword from her middle child, Damon, certainly says a lot about our author.
Obviously, she instilled some wonderful values and led by example. She taught them to always look on the positive side and follow your own set of values; work hard and never give up; trust your own intuition or gut feeling. ...
I think there are no greater gifts than those set out above that a parent can give to their children. Forget all the material possessions, they are not important. Instead, be true to yourself, that’s the key to a long and happy life.
Not only has this mother, now author, instilled some great beliefs into her children, she raised them to love one another. For Damon, the middle child, speaks glowingly of his sister and celebrates the good memories of their lives together.
But real life and decisions made by us as individuals can sometimes lead to bad things and leaves the people who love you wondering where they went wrong. This is a mother’s story, a true and heartfelt account of the loss of a beautiful child to a mental illness.
This book begins with Robyn visiting her beloved daughter in a mental care facility. There are bars on the window and watchful and curious eyes on the mother visiting her child.
As the author reflects on her life, she asks ‘how has it come to this’? Watching a beloved child fighting an addiction to chemicals is a terrible thing and it has been a wonderful thing to read about how Robyn was supported throughout it all by family, friends and her genuine belief in the Buddhist ideal.
By writing this book, the author hopes that she may enable other people who are facing this experience to go on and fight another day. Kali’s story, as seen through the eyes of her loving mother, is unfortunately, a more common tale nowadays. There are times when we all feel like giving up, but finding something to hold onto can help everyday folk come to terms with the setbacks that we may come up against each day.
This is a personal journey, written lovingly by a mother turned author. Her story is told simply and honestly. This will be a truly inspiring book to many people out there who may have lost touch with ‘the meaning of life and love’.
“This is a mother’s account of how she lost touch with her beloved daughter through addiction and mental illness…..it may not be a pretty story, but it is certainly an inspiring one.”
“A book is a private companion”
This true story lyrically written by Robyn Robbins is horrifying and disturbing yet also uplifting.
Horrifying because it clearly relates the story of a progressive slide into the underworld of drugs and addictions by a disturbed beautiful, creative and gifted young girl. It also writes of the helplessness and angst of her loving, caring and bewildered family.
Disturbing because of the implications for the future of our world if the psychological problems underlying addictions and mental illness are not addressed in a new light. The old perspectives of band-aiding symptoms and effects are obviously not working. A higher perspective is needed, one that uncovers and offers the opportunity to heal cause. ...
Robyn’s story is uplifting because of the wisdom and clarity gained and her final acceptance of ‘what is’. Also uplifting is the unconditional love and compassionate support given to her daughter. This was constant throughout the child’s descent and residence in the darkness of imprisonment and the security section of a mental health institution.
Robyn’s ability to tell her story objectively yet with heart-opening candour is a gift that enables readers to view their own dramas from a broader perspective. Her poem The Day the Tears Came is heart wrenching and will strike a cord in the souls of all women who grieve for what could have been. Robyn engages the reader into both the underworld and the realm of light and offers wise words that enable higher perspectives.
I couldn’t put this book down. I read until I could read no more. I had to finish reading it the next day. Congratulations Robyn on writing an incredibly valuable and insightful book. It will bring light and comfort to families who suffer from their child’s descent into the drug and alcohol scene that leads eventually to impaired mental health.
I strongly recommend this book be read and re-read by parents with teenage children and by teenagers. It is a wake-up call. The global implications of not waking-up and accepting a higher perspective and understanding of soul wounding will resound far into the future.
She travels globally to share her work. www.Ashtara.com
- Australia Wide AUD$26.95 incl P & H
- Asia Pacific Incl NZ AUD$31.95 incl P & H
- USA & Canada AUD$36.95 incl P & H
- Europe & the Rest of the World AUD$39.95 incl P & H
LOCKIE MEETS WIROO by Robyn Robins
Illustrated by Peter Haywood
Children’s Fiction
Lockie was recovering from the steep climb to the forbidden cave when he fell into the crevice of the rock. Far below, his dad and brother, Bray, were building a campfire. The green tent, their home for the weekend, flapped in the gentle breeze.
A large lizard disappeared into the shadowy entrance of the cave. Lockie followed. Slivers of sun lit the red earthen floor and highlighted strange art on the cold stone walls. He gently touched the dots of ancient colour and jumped when the eerie quiet became a loud rumble. The rock wall slid open to reveal a tunnel, a blazing torch and a dark-skinned boy. He heard the whispered words, “Don’t be afraid. My name is Wiroo. I’ve been waiting for you. Follow me.”
Lockie Meets Wiroo is a story for boys, the male inner child of all ages and those who have disconnected from the inner explorer. It is a story of adventure through the male process of the child becoming a boy and the boy a man. Lockie tells us to listen to the heart and Wiroo’s message is that we are brothers regardless of colour and culture.