My
Only Pic Of Deb I
had an impossible task trying to find a background music that was appropriate.
Unfortunately, all the songs that could have been good, were more about romantic
love and stuff like that. Deb and I are hardly romantic friends but we are friends
JUST below that. She has always been there to keep me focused and balanced with
my oft times topsy-turvy life. And she doesn't pull any punches either. My personal
nickname to her is a seven letter word for rectum. Amazing how close it fits
to the real me sometimes. Deb
is the oldest of three sisters. Although I love them all, Deb and I just grew
closer over the years. She is truly one of the most caring individuals I have
ever known. If she isn't on the job working, or taking care of her now grown
kids, or doing things with hubby, Paul, then she is out trying to do things
to help other people or her community. Someone just has to nominate this lady
for Mother/Wife of the Year someday. If I went on about all the things this
lady is about, nobody would believe me. I
settled on the theme song from the old Patty Duke show because there was an
event that happened one night we all remember. Her mom would go to work and
I would stay home and watch the kids in the evening. We all loved the Patty
Duke show and on this particular evening, just before the show was about to
start, we all dashed into the kitchen to get some pie (I think it was pie but
may have been pie and ice cream). As I dished out each piece to the three girls
and me, Debbie grabbed her plate real quick and turned to run into the living
room saying, "Gotta hurry up and not miss Patty Duke." Unfortunately,
she turned so quickly to run into the room, the pie slid off her plate and fell
to the floor. We all must have laughed the rest of the night. Well, not all.
She didn't. Many of the songs I listened to, (and there were almost a thousand
of them), had an underlying romantic subject matter and ruined otherwise great
possible background songs. I can think of a couple right off the top of my bald
head. You're My Best Friend. Wind Beneath My Wings. You Light Up My Life. There
You Are. So many more. I suppose because she is my friend from so many angles. Deb
is physically a beautiful woman both inside and out. I have always had so much
admiration for this lady from day one of meeting her. I went so far as to name
my only daughter totally after her. Both are amazing ladies. I
remember one particular morning I was at her house and the girls were getting
ready for school. I think Deb was about 11 or 12 at the time. I was just looking
at what a pretty young lady she was turning out to be and she did not notice
me looking at her. She was concerned with how proper she was dressed and how
she looked prior to going outside and getting on the bus. You know, the little
primping and pampering you do to yourself just before going out and taking on
the world one more day. I remember how proud I was of her at that moment and
realized what a wonderful person she was turning out to be. I never forgot that
moment. Over
the years we have kept in contact. She exceeded my expectations of her as a
person. Paul has indeed been fortunate to find her in his life, as he will readily
admit, and she is just as fortunate to have found Paul. He is a very caring
person also and they make such a great couple. I am sure they have been married
over 25 years by now but not sure how many exactly. When I do get back to Cleveland,
they are one of the few people I will always visit. On
a more serious note, Deb and I have maintained a friendship that has allowed
us to discuss some of our deepest secrets with each other. I have found a lot
of solace and comfort in those conversations. She is a very intelligent yet
uncondecending person to talk to. Her love for her family has always been omnipresent.
Probably the thing that surprised me most was her involvement with her church.
I suppose I should not have been though cause it is just another avenue where
she can help someone else out. Of
course, many personal things are not going to be put on display here. That is
why we are such close friends. We can talk to each other and know our secrets
are safe. So where would my life be with out "the other Debbie?" (My
daughter Debbie, of course, will always be number one.) I simply can not begin
to imagine the void that would be in my life without my memories of Deb and
our friendship over the years. I wish the whole world could get to know Debbie.
All I can say to you Deb, is thank you for so many super memories and most of
all, thank you for being my true friend. Underline that TRUE. I love you forever,
girl.
Where
do I begin to talk about Debbie. I have known her since she was about 8 years
old. I have watched her grow into an unbelieveable mother of two girls, April
and Katie, loving wife to Paul, and closest friend to me.