HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEBBIE!!!
Not only are you a rock star, but you are also a DANCING QUEEN!! I never knew you could bust a move like you were doing at Uncle Brent's wedding reception--even when you were almost 40. Years. Old. !! So I have now added "a dance by Debbie" to the activity list for each and every party held at my mom and dad's house from now on. (You're officially off the "arm wrestling Billie" hook now.......) Anyway, you are an elegant, generous, fun, creative, lovely, smart, etc. etc. sister-in-law, and our family is very blessed to have you in it! We love you. Happy Birthday!!--Rae Ann
In honor of your big 4-0, we all want you to know just how Fabulous we think you are. In fact, you're pretty much a Rock Star! Love, Your Biggest Fans
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
To my closest first cousin
Hey Debbie,
We've often been a few weeks or months away from each other in big milestones--guess this big birthday is no different. We graduated high school the same year, got married pretty close to each other and we both will have daughters as freshmen at BYU this Fall. We've been to Grandma and Grandpa Boyce's house together, EFY, baby showers and several family reunions. I remember you giving me fashion and hair stylying tips in the basement of Grandma and Grandpa's house, letting me read letters from your 13/14 year-old boyfriend, getting a lecture from your Dad about listening to uplifting music when Chicago's "Stay the Night" was on the radio. I remember flirting with boys as we toured around Salt Lake City together that summer. I remember writing each other after our Nauvoo family reunion, using all my cutest stationary I had gotten for my birthday one year.
Probably the thing I treasure most about knowing you is the example you've set for facing adversity. I talked to Susie after she has come to your house right after the triplets were born. Of course it was all overwhelming and Susie, as your closest sister was probably more concerned than anyone. She told me as she held those babies she looked up and saw the "No Toil or Labor Fear" placard above your mantle and just broke down and sobbed. I've never forgotten that image she described. It has sustained me in my own personal toils and labors. It's been a good motto to recall. I'm glad you've lived it!
I'm glad you are able to enjoy some sweet fruits of so much toil and labor in your life. I'm so happy you have sweet family and friends to surround you. You truly are an inspiration to many.
All my love,
April
We've often been a few weeks or months away from each other in big milestones--guess this big birthday is no different. We graduated high school the same year, got married pretty close to each other and we both will have daughters as freshmen at BYU this Fall. We've been to Grandma and Grandpa Boyce's house together, EFY, baby showers and several family reunions. I remember you giving me fashion and hair stylying tips in the basement of Grandma and Grandpa's house, letting me read letters from your 13/14 year-old boyfriend, getting a lecture from your Dad about listening to uplifting music when Chicago's "Stay the Night" was on the radio. I remember flirting with boys as we toured around Salt Lake City together that summer. I remember writing each other after our Nauvoo family reunion, using all my cutest stationary I had gotten for my birthday one year.
Probably the thing I treasure most about knowing you is the example you've set for facing adversity. I talked to Susie after she has come to your house right after the triplets were born. Of course it was all overwhelming and Susie, as your closest sister was probably more concerned than anyone. She told me as she held those babies she looked up and saw the "No Toil or Labor Fear" placard above your mantle and just broke down and sobbed. I've never forgotten that image she described. It has sustained me in my own personal toils and labors. It's been a good motto to recall. I'm glad you've lived it!
I'm glad you are able to enjoy some sweet fruits of so much toil and labor in your life. I'm so happy you have sweet family and friends to surround you. You truly are an inspiration to many.
All my love,
April
Everyone's Hero
I second everything everyone has said about you; they stole my words; you truly are the greatest off the great. I never thought I could love anyone as much as my own children, but I love you as my own. You are an inspiration to us all. You are the greatest mom, wife, daughter-in-law, and friend I could ever imagine. Thanks for your "specialness"; have a wonderful birthday!!!!!!!!!! Papa Dale
The Perfect Heart
Debbie – You were just a little girl when I first met your family in Stillwater. Your mom and dad are the greatest and we will never forget them. The way you turned out says a lot about them. Knowing how you become reminds me of the poem. Wishing you a “happy birthday” and have a wonderful celebration.
>The Perfect Heart
>-by Anonymous
>
>One day a young man was standing in the middle of the town
>proclaiming that he had the most beautiful heart in the whole valley.
>A large crowd gathered and they all admired his heart for it was
>perfect. There was not a mark or a flaw in it. Yes, they all agreed
>it truly was the most beautiful heart they had ever seen. The young
>man was very proud and boasted more loudly about his beautiful heart.
>
>Suddenly, an old man appeared at the front of the crowd and
>said, "Why your heart is not nearly as beautiful as mine." The crowd
>and the young man looked at the old man's heart. It was beating
>strongly, but full of scars, it had places where pieces had been
>removed and other pieces put in, but they didn't fit quite right and
>there were several jagged edges. In fact, in some places there were
>deep gouges where whole pieces were missing. The people stared -- how
>can he say his heart is more beautiful, they thought?
>
>The young man looked at the old man's heart and saw its state and
>laughed. "You must be joking," he said. "Compare your heart with
>mine, mine is perfect and yours is a mess of scars and tears." "Yes,"
>said the old man, "yours is perfect looking but I would never trade
>with you. You see, every scar represents a person to whom I have
>given my love - I tear out a piece of my heart and give it to them,
>and often they give me a piece of their heart which fits into the
>empty place in my heart, but because the pieces aren't exact, I have
>some rough edges, which I cherish, because they remind me of the love
>we shared.
>
>Sometimes I have given pieces of my heart away, and the other person
>hasn't returned a piece of his heart to me. These are the empty
>gouges -- giving love is taking a chance. Although these gouges are
>painful, they stay open, reminding me of the love I have for these
>people too, and I hope someday they may return and fill the space I
>have waiting. So now do you see what true beauty is?"
>
>The young man stood silently with tears running down his cheeks. He
>walked up to the old man, reached into his perfect young and
>beautiful heart, and ripped a piece out. He offered it to the old man
>with trembling hands. The old man took his offering, placed it in his
>heart and then took a piece from his old scarred heart and placed it
>in the wound in the young man's heart. It fit, but not perfectly, as
>there were some jagged edges. The young man looked at his heart, not
>perfect anymore but more beautiful than ever, since love from the old
>man's heart flowed into his. They embraced and walked away side by
>side.
Rhoda Hughes
Stillwater, Ok
Happy Birthday Debbie!
I almost forgot to write a post as my life got in the way. I have had a picture saved on my computer and I have sat down to write this many times only to be interrupted (as I just was AGAIN!) by someone needing something! Better late that never. But am I really late? Today is your Birthday, after all.…
As I looked through my albums, I realized I could put several embarrassing pictures of you on here. You were my friend for a long time. In the end, I chose to share only one photo…. from a sleepover at my house. I think we are around 11. Apparently we played at “Makeovers: Early 80’s style.” J I love the headband peeking through your bangs.
Let’s see…you taught me the words to “The Rose.” I can still sing that song to this day and think of you. I remember singing it as we walked back from Orchestra in middle school! That memory is very strong. I can feel the uneven sidewalk beneath my feet and see your case in your hand as we walked along singing, “…Just remember in the winter…far beneath the bitter snows lies the seed that with the sun's love in the spring becomes the rose…” I’m pretty sure I was singing it out of a love sick heart over some boy I had a crush on… ;)
A funny memory…I had my first taste of powdered milk at your house. What a startling and somewhat horrifying experience that was for me! I was a kid who had only had tasted store-bought milk! Ha! It was the morning after a sleepover at your house and we were having cereal. I hope I was gracious about it. I have used that example several times as I sent my children off to a friends house hoping they would mind their manners if given something to eat they didn’t like or weren’t used too.
I knew you as a child and teen. Although that time shaped you, it is clear that isn’t who you are today. I haven’t had the privilege of being your friend for the last 20 years. I haven’t been able to walk with you through your joys and struggles. After reading these posts I see that is has been my loss. I remember you as a fun and sweet childhood friend but what I see is what a special woman you ARE! I just read your daughter’s and mother-in-law’s posts and I was brought to tears! You are an amazing woman! I am so thankful for FB for letting me back into your life. I am doubly thankful for getting to be a small part of wishing you a blessed and happy, Happy, HAPPY 40th Birthday!
Blessings,
Tammy (Dean) McDaniel
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Mother Dearest
Momma-
There's just so much to say that I feel like it would take another 40 years to write it all down- so I decided to write a list of "Thank You's" (and a few other things) that will barely scratch the surface of the amazing things you've accomplished in your 'old age':
- Thank you for having good skin and passing those genes on to me ;)
- Thank you for admitting that you married one of the weirdest people on this earth
- Thank you for going through with it (marrying dad I mean)
- Thank you for not knowing how many states are in the US- it has given people laughs for years
- Thank you for not being one of those super embarrassing moms that sings and dances all over the place or tells embarrassing stories......
- Thank you for moving me to Deer Creek- I have had some of the most fantastic experiences and friendships because of that school.
- Thank you SO MUCH for raising me on country music. I pity the poor people who have never had the pleasure of hearing our dear Randy Travis' voice.
- Thank you for raising me the way you and dad have. I have never had to question if I was loved or not- I have always know that you and dad love me unconditionally, and that has given me the confidence to be the person that I am.
- Thank you for being the constant little annoying nudge in the right direction that I needed to go and not being afraid to tell me "I told you so."
- Thank you for allowing and encouraging my extended family to be a serious part in my life. I have learned to love and have been granted countless memories more than I can mention.
- Thank you for having my three little sisters. I know you have to have grown a few grey (or as recently discovered- white) hairs because of my negativity concerning changing diapers and babysitting, my constant lack of patience with them (and, let's be honest... EVERYTHING), and just the stress of having four children (all girls too!). But truth be told there isn't a thing I wouldn't do for those little girls and I learned that from you. I have learned so much from being raised by you, and then a whole extra lot of lessons by watching you raise the girls. And look what we have :
- Thank you for encouraging me to be EXACTLY who I am- and encouraging me to travel the world. one of my best memories that I will always have is our cruise last Christmas. We got to see some of the most amazing things in the world, and we got to do it together. I couldn't have asked for a better gift.
- Thank you for being the greatest mother, wife, and friend that anyone could ask for. I was more than moved to see the amount of people who have developed love and respect enough to recount the many ways you have reached out to them and touched their lives. You are a constant port in the storm for many people, and the strongest woman I know. I truthfully hope to grow to be a fraction of the woman that you are, and I am so grateful that you are my mother and for the family that we have.
- Alexis Christine
There's just so much to say that I feel like it would take another 40 years to write it all down- so I decided to write a list of "Thank You's" (and a few other things) that will barely scratch the surface of the amazing things you've accomplished in your 'old age':
- Thank you for having good skin and passing those genes on to me ;)
- Thank you for admitting that you married one of the weirdest people on this earth
- Thank you for going through with it (marrying dad I mean)
- Thank you for not knowing how many states are in the US- it has given people laughs for years
- Thank you for not being one of those super embarrassing moms that sings and dances all over the place or tells embarrassing stories......
- Thank you for moving me to Deer Creek- I have had some of the most fantastic experiences and friendships because of that school.
- Thank you SO MUCH for raising me on country music. I pity the poor people who have never had the pleasure of hearing our dear Randy Travis' voice.
- Thank you for raising me the way you and dad have. I have never had to question if I was loved or not- I have always know that you and dad love me unconditionally, and that has given me the confidence to be the person that I am.
- Thank you for being the constant little annoying nudge in the right direction that I needed to go and not being afraid to tell me "I told you so."
- Thank you for allowing and encouraging my extended family to be a serious part in my life. I have learned to love and have been granted countless memories more than I can mention.
- Thank you for having my three little sisters. I know you have to have grown a few grey (or as recently discovered- white) hairs because of my negativity concerning changing diapers and babysitting, my constant lack of patience with them (and, let's be honest... EVERYTHING), and just the stress of having four children (all girls too!). But truth be told there isn't a thing I wouldn't do for those little girls and I learned that from you. I have learned so much from being raised by you, and then a whole extra lot of lessons by watching you raise the girls. And look what we have :
- Thank you for encouraging me to be EXACTLY who I am- and encouraging me to travel the world. one of my best memories that I will always have is our cruise last Christmas. We got to see some of the most amazing things in the world, and we got to do it together. I couldn't have asked for a better gift.
- Thank you for being the greatest mother, wife, and friend that anyone could ask for. I was more than moved to see the amount of people who have developed love and respect enough to recount the many ways you have reached out to them and touched their lives. You are a constant port in the storm for many people, and the strongest woman I know. I truthfully hope to grow to be a fraction of the woman that you are, and I am so grateful that you are my mother and for the family that we have.
WE LOVE YOU- HAPPY BIRTHDAY
- Alexis Christine
My True Hero
Dear Debbie,
Everything my sister said reflects my feelings as well. I adore you for your grace and your devotion to my wonderful nephew. He is more like a son to me than a nephew, and I am constantly amazed by both of you!
Lynne and I are in the most beautiful setting either of us has ever been in on our honeymoon, in Cancun. But, I want to take a few moments to let you know how much you are loved and admired. Words are inadequate. . . .
We both appreciate your coming to Savannah--the triplets stole everyone's attention and heart, as usual!! Lynne loves the gift Alexis made and gave to her, and will be contacting her soon, so I won't elaborate on that.
Lynne asked me to let you know: "Dale has been my hero, but the more I know, the more I realize that you are my true hero."
We love you both very much. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Aunt Lynne & Uncle Brent
Everything my sister said reflects my feelings as well. I adore you for your grace and your devotion to my wonderful nephew. He is more like a son to me than a nephew, and I am constantly amazed by both of you!
Lynne and I are in the most beautiful setting either of us has ever been in on our honeymoon, in Cancun. But, I want to take a few moments to let you know how much you are loved and admired. Words are inadequate. . . .
We both appreciate your coming to Savannah--the triplets stole everyone's attention and heart, as usual!! Lynne loves the gift Alexis made and gave to her, and will be contacting her soon, so I won't elaborate on that.
Lynne asked me to let you know: "Dale has been my hero, but the more I know, the more I realize that you are my true hero."
We love you both very much. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Aunt Lynne & Uncle Brent
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