Remembering Robbie

My uncle, Robbie Camp, age 67, passed away on the 18th of this month. In honor of him, I wanted to share some of his artwork with you. He was a very talented man.
Like my grandmother, father and I, Robbie had a great interest in art.

Uncle Robbie lived a good life, despite the cancer that fought against him.

Robbie used to own a video store and gas station that I remember being fond of as a child. The store was known as "Miss Quick", but I would always call it "Robbie's".
He sold the best (and cheapest) candy in that store. Candy such as "Sugar Daddy", "Slap Stix" and "Air Heads"... I would buy as much as I could every time I would enter Robbie's store. Day after day, year after year. The day the store closed was probably one of the saddest days of my childhood. Nothing devastated me more, except for when my town's local Drive-In Theater shut down to make room for a "Walgreen's" store.

After helping type Uncle Robbie's obituary and making his photo slide show for the funeral home, I decided to pay him tribute on my blog. Enjoy his work!


Robbie Lee Camp

October 1st, 1943 - February 18th, 2011

Unique

I poem intended for the children I hope to be blessed with in the future. I want them to follow their hearts and listen to words of wisdom rather than words of popularity.

~~~

"Unique"

Fallen and forgotten are the dreams of days gone by.
Some people pursue them, but others die.

A child is born with a creativity and a desire all its own.
These things soon pass away, if not kept alive and if never shown.

How can you be yourself if you always conform to the ways of your peers?
In a matter of no time, you'll become the greatest of your fears.

Let go of the lies within your heart and soul; see the light of who you really are.
See the sky above you? Somewhere in heaven shines your very own star.

My daughter, my son; I beg of you to listen to me.
No matter what they say, in the midst of manipulation, you always need to be free.

Don't lose sight of yourself while spending time in this place.
You're beautiful as you are and this truth glows upon your face.

Strive to be unique. Strive to be real. Strive to be true.
Show the world your true colors. Don't lie to yourself and give up until you're completely through.

Copyright Casandra Camp 2011

Normality

I decided to write a poem about how things were during my childhood, somewhat. This is what I ended up with. Hope you like it.

~~~

"Normality"

Far from popular, in my younger days, I remember always being alone.
Existing as nothing but a “freak” to most, not much kindness was ever shown.

Never quite knowing what else to do, I'd speak to my only friends...
Which, of course, were invisible to you.

Rescuing bugs from the hands of mean little boys was my duty.
In all things labeled "disgusting", I somehow seemed to find beauty.

I haven't changed much since then at all.
I don’t let the lies of others make me feel small.

I'm always going to remind my children, when they arrive, of how special they truly are.
Whenever they feel lonely at night, I hope they look up to the brightest star.

Unique and simply "you", please never fear to be.
When you have imagination, you're never really stuck in reality.

Now that I'm grown and have taken time to look back at my past,
I'm very glad that I let my true personality last.

The children that used to make fun of me are no longer doing so at this time.
It has taken them years to see that being different isn't a crime.

Being a "freak" has more good things about it than bad.
Don't allow people to ruin your life or make you sad.

Happy in being myself I choose to forever be,
Nothing can hold you back if you protect yourself from the sickness of "normality".

Copyright Casandra Camp 2010