The poets say there is somebody out there for everybody. And that’s why I want to tell you about Robin Haywood and Trevor Burton, two people who found that special someone. It won’t be a long tale as I intend to only tell the facts but as the saying goes: “truth is stranger than fiction”; and love like age cannot be hidden.
Robin Haywood was twenty-five years of age at the time and working in an advertising agency as a successful copywriter. She was bright, warm, and always ready to crack a smile and say a kind word or two. This for someone in her profession isn’t always the case. But for all her good qualities Robin suffered from a sleep disorder known as Narcolepsy; an illness that causes people to fall asleep, anywhere, anytime. For example, you may suddenly nod off while working or talking with friends. You may sleep for a few minutes or up to half an hour before awakening, but eventually you will fall asleep again. The cycle is ever ongoing.
Over time this became a curse to Robin. Many times while catching the train home she would constantly fall asleep and miss her stop on numerous occasions. Sometimes she would wear a sign telling other passengers to wake her if she was asleep. Of course her work began to suffer, especially during meetings with clients when she would nod off in their laps. It became harder and harder for her to concentrate and fully function. But salvation wasn’t far off and it came in the guise of Trevor Burton.
Trevor Burton was twenty-seven years old, average looks, enjoyed the outdoors, especially water sports and worked as a plumber; having started off as an apprentice and eventually owning his own successful business – “Bogan Plumbing”. Trevor wasn’t as sophisticated as Robin, nor as highly educated. But he was smart and likeable, he had a roguish quality to him that you couldn’t help but like. But there was one thing that he did have in common with Robin; he too suffered from a sleep disorder, the most common one of all: Insomnia.
Trevor had had this condition for many years but as he grew older it had gotten worse. There were times when he would go days without much sleep, perhaps only catching one or two hours a night. And the lack of sleep showed, not only in his crankiness but also in his looks. When Trevor didn’t get a good night’s sleep he became dishevelled and really did look like something the cat dragged in.
Now you may be wondering how these two individuals from different backgrounds found salvation; and you may also be pondering what’s love got to do with this story? Well, the answer is simple. Call it one of those strange quirks of fate we’ve all heard about, call it providence, or a miracle. Whatever the case may be both Robin and Trevor ended up attending the same sleep disorder clinic at the exact same time. And so it was here that they met, got to know one another, formed a connection and fell in love. And that’s when their sleeping disorders were miraculously cured.
Although opposites do attract Robin and Trevor did have one other thing in common besides their illnesses, neither at that time had found true love. None of them had been in any real serious relationship until they met each other; someone who couldn’t stay awake and someone who couldn’t sleep. Each one filling the void present in the other and together becoming whole.
The last time I saw them which was several years ago now, they were both still very much in love, married and with a new born baby. This just goes to show that the poets are right; there is someone special out there for all of us. And that in the end love conquers all.
Copyright Peter Jessop © 2013
