“THE RED THREAD THEORY” is found in many different cultures from Greek Mythology, to Nordic and Swedish Lore to East Asia. “The Red Thread of Fate” in East Asian culture is summarized: “Legend has it, there is an invisible Red Thread that connects us to those we are destined to meet. It symbolizes good luck, love and protection, no matter how far apart, no matter how long apart, we will meet again, and the destiny will be realized.” People linked together by The Red Thread of Fate share a life path and are fated to have a deep connection and an indelible bond. Regardless of place, time or circumstances, this magical Red Thread is a cord that may stretch or tangle, but never break. Linda and Elizabeth Robbins are the quintessential exemplification of this Eastern philosophy. In that belief system, when someone is born, an invisible Red Thread connects them to the people they are destined to meet… Such is the chronicle of Linda and Elizabeth.
Help Support Linda & Elizabeth’s journey to bring to Cuba Songs for the Oprans.
The story of Linda and Elizabeth has been extremely overwhelming, and downright difficult for me to write. It is a novelette full of absolute determination to overcome challenging circumstances, grit, wit, and at the same time an apologue full of grace, perseverance, steadfastness, and courage. More so, overall, it is a testimony of LOVE between the kindred SPIRITS of Mother and Daughter. Their story seems far-fetched, unlikely, and quite frankly, too impossible to be true. If you saw a movie version of their narration, you would say, “That is preposterous; that would never happen in real life.” However, you would be wrong, because happen, it did. Since interviewing Linda and Elizabeth, my world has been shaken up and rocked sideways. I feel an ineradicable sense of responsibility to administer due justice to their tale of becoming a family, curating my words with honesty and inextirpable passion. Theirs is truly a narrative of great importance, a “CIRCLE OF LIFE” journey with indescribable elements.
From the moment that Linda Robbins, a teacher and former missionary to Sudan, Uganda and Haiti, was shown a photograph of a baby girl Chinese Foundling from the Guizhou Province, she said, “This was the picture that I stared at for a year. In my heart, she was already my daughter.” Serendipity was in play throughout the universe, and this baby was preordained to become Linda’s daughter, Elizabeth. Linda had been seeking to adopt a child for years, and finally an “Opening” (change of rules) allowing single mothers to adopt became a real time possibility.
Elizabeth was born in the Guizhou Province of China, to the Dong people. A popular saying among the Dongren is; “Rice nourishes the body, and song nourishes the soul.” The tradition of the Dongren to pass down their culture and knowledge through music is exemplified in “The Grand Song of the Dong,” a multi-part singing performed without instruments, with the repertoire including a range of genres such as ballads, children’s songs, songs of greetings, and imitative songs and sounds mimicking nature and the animals that surround their villages. According to Dong cultural norms, the birth of a child having craniofacial anomaly, or cleft lip and palate, causes an event branded as a “curse” or a “bad omen” upon that child. Local sociocultural beliefs also include that the birth of a cleft infant would “ruin the household,” hence that child would not be allowed to enter the homes or buildings in that community. These ancient myths and negative prejudices towards babies born with facial anomalies have existed since time immemorial and in many cultures continue till today. Elizabeth was born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate. This stigmatization in her first 2 and a half years of life led to Elizabeth being “covered up” or enshrouded so as not to be gazed upon, and therefore “cursing those who looked at her.” The women responsible for Elizabeth’s care in the Dongren village ensconced her during her infancy and early toddlerhood and carried her on their backs while they planted and harvested rice fields. Fully covered from head to toe, Elizabeth’s only stimuli was what she was hearing: the songs of her native village and the sounds of nature. Elizabeth was not allowed inside any homes or buildings during this time period- she had to remain outside, “secured” through tethering so that she would not be carried away into the night by predators. Elizabeth was 1 and ½ years old when Linda saw that first photo of her and Linda fell completely, fiercely, and unabashedly in love with baby Elizabeth. It took exactly 365 days for Linda to complete the adoption process and fly to Guizhou, China and retrieve her daughter, now 2 and ½ years old, determinately and irrevocably able to hold her tight in her arms, FOREVERMORE.
Throughout the 365 days of the adoption process, Linda worked diligently and pre-emptively, knowing that her daughter would require extensive corrective surgery to fix her cleft palate and lip. Linda researched, made appointments and visits to The Shriners Hospitals for Children.
www.shrinerschildrens.org states, “At Shriners Children’s, we are committed to reaching as many children as possible, wherever they may live, and offering them our unique, patient-centered, wraparound care.” Shriners Children’s has one goal: “to change and improve lives,” and since opening its first hospital in 1922, Shriners has been devoted to “providing high quality specialty medical care to the children and families who come to us, regardless of their ability to pay or insurance status.” Furthermore, Shriners missions to share “camaraderie, adventure and making an impact: this is the Shriner way,” showing the world that Shriners stand for something special, “and that something is the unwavering support we provide to Shriners Children’s, bringing hope and healing to children across the globe. Together, we’re transforming lives and building bonds that will strengthen our impact for decades to come.” A cleft palate occurs when the tissues that form the roof of the mouth do not join together before birth. The condition causes functional changes in a child’s breathing, hearing, speaking, and eating abilities. Cleft palate and cleft lips can be repaired with reconstructive craniofacial surgery. Linda brought Elizabeth’s medical records to Shriners Children’s New England and met Dr. Philip Stoddard. After various consultations regarding Elizabeth’s medical condition and what precise care, operations, and multiple procedures would be needed, Linda was assured by Dr. Stoddard that Elizabeth’s medical needs would be met IN FULL by Shriners Children’s. Dr. Stoddard told Linda, “GO GET OUR LITTLE GIRL.”
Linda returned to New England from China with Elizabeth in October. By January, Elizabeth began the first of her thus far 14 surgeries. Linda says that, “Shriners makes each and every child feel as if they are the most important child in the world.” When Elizabeth arrived home with Linda, she was unable to speak due to her bilateral cleft palate and lip. However, Linda soon realized that her daughter could hum and sing. Without an upper palate, Elizabeth was unable to make any consonant sounds, but she was able to sing and hum vowel sounds. Prior to Linda adopting Elizabeth, Elizabeth’s only contact with the world, underneath her covering shroud, was via song. And now Linda’s toddler began to sing, sing, sing as they started their life together as a family. Linda was quite adept at pinpointing her daughter’s needs. Prior to her very first surgery, there was still an obvious language barrier issue as Elizabeth did not understand English yet. In order to communicate with Elizabeth, Linda utilized pictures of common objects as ques, such as a “banana” which she soon found out that Elizabeth loved to eat! Cleverly, Linda photoshopped a series of pictures corresponding with the shape of Elizabeth’s wound to try to visually explain to her toddler why they were at Shriners Children’s Hospital and “what was going on.” Linda and Elizabeth’s bond grew even deeper and more correlated as they faced the litany of Elizabeth’s corrective procedures. Linda said of Dr. Stoddard, “I will forever be grateful for this man and for all that he did for Elizabeth.” Dr. Stoddard kept the collage photo (pictured above this paragraph) of Elizabeth’s progress throughout her many procedures prominently on his desk, “to remind himself why he came to work at Shriners Children’s every day.” Elizabeth’s pediatrician said had Linda NOT adopted Elizabeth and brought her HOME to New England, she probably would not have lived more than a few more weeks. During my interview with Linda and Elizabeth, there were many moments where I got goosebumps or the chills upon hearing another remarkable facet to their fascinating and improbable story. Learning about Elizabeth’s infancy and first 2 ½ years of life was most assuredly one, and hearing the above-mentioned declaration was another. My, Oh, My, HOW the Dear Lord worked in His mysterious ways for Linda and Elizabeth’s Red Thread to be intertwined.
One day as Linda was setting up her classroom, she had Elizabeth with her, and Elizabeth was singing, gurgling, and humming. The music teacher overheard Elizabeth, and popped into Linda’s classroom and asked her, “Do you know that your daughter has PERFECT PITCH?”
WHAT? I was flabbergasted to learn this additional tidbit of information. Long before she could speak, Elizabeth was able to express herself through song. She sang a portion of one of her favorite songs to me over the phone during our interview, “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again,” from “Phantom of The Opera.” Her other favorite song, also from Phantom, is “Think of Me.” I was BEYOND ENCHANTED. And my goosebumps reappeared once more upon listening to this elegant, eloquent, gifted, and composed child singing at the other end of the phone line.
Elizabeth is now 14 years old and has started her Freshman Year of high school. Throughout her childhood, Linda has catalogued events and activities most important to Elizabeth: Her Faith, soccer, singing, wanting to become a doctor herself, her FAMILY, horseback riding, skating, her heritage, gymnastics, water skiing and running.
Elizabeth has been a “STRAIGHT A” Student in school. She has been part of the children’s singing group at her church. She received a local music school scholarship for singing lessons. She now writes her own songs. She sings at local coffee shops and at holiday concerts by invitation of her singing instructor. She competed in a local pageant. She is on the Varsity Cross Country Team and has outrun all but 1 of her upperclassmen teammates. All the while, enduring and perpetually recovering from intrusive, harrowing surgeries. In the past 12 years, Elizabeth has had 14 successful surgeries. Elizabeth has undergone each of those 14 surgeries with FEARLESSNESS and valiant bravery. Linda says, “Elizabeth puts her heart and soul into EVERYTHING that she does. She always gives 100 percent. She is a PRETTY SPECIAL KID! It just comes down to TENACITY. I have a kid who just never quits!”
How does this captivating and alluring tale of Elizabeth and Linda relate to the BBQ world you ask?
Throughout her childhood and their “Family-Hood” Elizabeth and Mom, Linda, have attended and supported a myriad of Shriners Children’s Fundraising Events, ever so grateful for the monumental and herculean support that Shriners Children’s have allotted and allocated to them. Aside from financially covering the plentitude of Elizabeth’s surgeries, Elizabeth’s Orthodontics have been performed by the wondrous Dr. Demaio who is also part of Shriners Children’s New England network.
The Kora Shriners Annual Lobster Bowl Football Game, as well as Walk-A-Thons, Outdoor Expo, FEZtival of Trees, are examples of Shriners Fundraising Events.
Approximately 10 years ago, an event joyfully coined as “The Most Magical Weekend in BBQ,” “KORA SHRINE KARE FOR KIDS RIDE-IN” was created. Bob Baumann of RIBBQNews wrote an excellent and informative article about this “heartwarming celebration that aims to raise awareness for the invaluable network of Shriners Hospitals for Children New England,” for further details regarding the history and description of this event, please refer to Bob’s article at www.RIBBQNEWS.com and www.korashriners.org There is also a “Kora Shrine Kare for Kids Ride-In” Facebook Group page chock full of apropos updates, fantastic photos, and accordant news, which you are invited to peruse.
A distinctive component of the KORA KARES FOR KIDS Shriners BBQ Weekend Fundraiser is “THE KIDS Q COMPETITIONS,” where Master Teams are paired with children, many of whom are or were Shriners Children’s patients! For the past 5 years, Elizabeth has been competing in The Kids Q Events. Previously, she was paired with The Team “SMOKIN’ ACES,” and won the Kids Q competition with her BBQ dish of “Gouda and Bacon Stuffed Burgers.” Elizabeth now enjoys making up her own recipes!
Several years ago, Elizabeth also had the opportunity to sing on stage at the Kora Kids Q with Kechi Okwuchi, a singer, songwriter and motivational speaker, who was a two-time finalist on “America’s Got Talent.” Kechi was one of the 2 survivors of the Sosoliso Airlines Flight 1145 fiery plane crash that claimed the lives of 107 people in 2005. Kechi underwent over 100 reconstructive surgeries at Shriners Hospitals in Galveston, TX to repair the 3rd degree burns she received over 65% of her body as a result from that plane crash. Additionally, Kechi is the author of “More Than My Scars,” using her story and her music to “inspire millions across the globe to truly believe in life after trauma.”
For the past 2 years, at The Kora Kids Q, Elizabeth has been paired with Dan and Jeff, The Team from @eljefesmoke
Currently, Dan and Jeff from @eljefesmoke are competing here there and everywhere, on their way to THE BIG SHOW, The Superbowl of BBQ: their next contest is The Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational BBQ in Lynchburg, Tennessee on October 12th—stay tuned for an upcoming article featuring @eljefesmoke, as soon as their crazy busy schedule allows!
Elizabeth and Linda both say that Dan and Jeff are “AN AWESOME TEAM! They definitely provide encouragement to Elizabeth as a cook, making her feel totally at ease during the Kids Q competitions, but they are MORE THAN JUST BBQ PARTNERS! THEY HAVE BECOME DEAR, DEAR FRIENDS!” Linda and Elizabeth keep in contact throughout the year with Dan and Jeff whenever Elizabeth has great news to share or a problem to be remedied, Linda says that Dan and Jeff “STEP UP, AS GOOD UNCLES DO!”
It has been my utmost pleasure to relay the ENTHRALLING story of Elizabeth and Linda Robbins to RIBBQNews Readers and to the entire BBQ Community. Kathy Trainor of www.inclusivebbqevents.org has reported that the 2024 KORA KARES FOR KIDS Event was another splendid success, with $17,000.00 raised for Shriners Children’s New England! For further information, announcements, sponsorships, and details regarding The Kora Planning Team and the 2025 Event, as well as additional charity and fundraising BBQ contests, you may contact InclusiveBBQEvents@gmail.com – Inclusive BBQ Events states that, “We are Inclusive BBQ Events for a reason. We welcome all people to our events. Inclusive BBQ Events was founded on the goal that BBQ loves to give back and welcome all.” The edict of Inclusive BBQ Events are; “Our values focus on inclusivity, compassion, and community support through culinary endeavors.” And their PERFECT MOTTO IS, “Give, Laugh, ‘Que!” Inclusive BBQ Events has a PHENOMENAL website expressing their profound Mission Statement and their dedication to their mesmeric foundation, with Kathy and Tom Trainor at the helm as the fulcrum and pillar of their organization.
The ending of my article is another incredibly BEATIFIC BEGINNING for Elizabeth. On October 26th, Elizabeth will be performing a SOLO Concert, at her church, entitled “Songs for the Orphans.” Because this angelic, devoted, spectacular child is organizing and conducting her own Fundraising Event to both aide in and attend a Missionary Trip to a small, impoverished country in order to visit orphanages. Elizabeth is raising money to supply basic necessities and any small matter of comforts to other orphans. Elizabeth says that she hopes to bring encouragement to other children, especially during terribly difficult times in their lives. Elizabeth describes her Mom, Linda, as “A reflection in my mirror. We are the same. Meaning that- we are both strong.” Elizabeth ended our interview by saying, “Oh- One more point. We LOVE each other to the moon and back.” This BENEVOLENT MOTHER-DAUGHTER DUO. FATE. FAITH. THE RED THREAD THEORY. An orphan, who could NOT SPEAK, is now performing a Solo Concert, in PERECT PITCH, to benefit other orphans. If this true tale is not the MOST BONA FIDE, authentic manifestation of a “CIRCLE OF LIFE” MOMENT, then I do not know what else in heaven or on earth POSSIBLY is.
To contribute to Elizabeth’s Missionary Trip, please follow this link
Fantastic article – Elizabeth is a very special young lady to all of us Kora Shriners