To My Beautiful, Wonderful, Fabulous Sister!

Happy Happy Birthday you sexy momma! Remember when I tried to be cool like you and start running and it took me weeks to get up to 9 miles and I get a text from you out of the blue, "oh yeah I haven't run in like a year but I just busted out 12 miles. No big deal." Sigh...I'll never keep up! :-)

I do not have a lot of memories of us growing up together or crazy cottage cheese stories to share. I do not have any paper route memories with you nor do I have emotional scares attributed to 'sister fights' that many sisters share. (Those come from other sisters who will remain mysteriously nameless).

I do, however, remember your example, your strength, and your incredible selflessness that I have yet to see mirrored by anyone that I know. I remember when I was serving my mission in Puerto Rico. I had a rough start and craved, as any and all missionaries do, letters and packages and any hint that the life I left behind remembered, or if I was lucky, even missed me. I had just been transferred to a new area and into a new companionship after leaving a rather difficult one. I was tired and weak. One day, my companion and I checked the mail where I found a package slip indicating that a precious package awaited my pickup at the local post office. Who was the package from? Of course, my dear, sweet sister. December was around the corner and it was clear this was a Christmas package. Confused as to why this package was sent so early, I eagerly opened the box. Inside I found 25 individually wrapped items. Each one numbered for each day of the month. What did box number one contain? A Christmas Tree! Number two? Ornaments for the Christmas Tree! Three? A star for the top of the tree. Other gifts included stamps, scented candles, a display of Mary and Joseph, pens, candy, etc. When I realized what had been sent me I cried. I'm crying as I write this. My sister, a busy mother and wife, went out of her way to prepare a ridiculously complicated package. Just for me. Far away from home. Debbie, have I ever told you how much this meant to me? I love you and I thank you.

Hugs and Love, Rachelle

P.S. I equally enjoyed the package you sent me that included the size triple X silk underwear. The very pair I had to wear when I returned home and decided to begin to work off all the rice and beans that had accumulated on my hind end. How did you know? :-)

Remembrances of Debbie

Upon entering this world you were loved and noticed.  You were our little ‘papoose’ with your olive complexion and full-head of dark hair.  No one could pass you without commenting on what a pretty baby you were.  As you started to lose some of your hair a little later, my ritual would be to get you out of your crib after your nap and then unwrap this loose hair from around your pacifier.  I did this time and time again, so much so that when Dan and Matt were babies, upon getting them out of their cribs I would automatically unwrap their hair from around their pacifiers, quickly realizing that there was none.

You were always our peacemaker, and would get the Nobel Peace Prize in your classroom for your citizenship and compassion.  You were always giving to others.  If we had four drumsticks on the table for dinner and five children wanted them, you were the one that gladly took something else.  You were patient.  One day you were playing with baby Jennifer, which you so willingly did when I needed her to be occupied.  Jennifer was being a pill.  Finally, after 15 minutes, I heard you say to her, “Jennifer, I’m starting to lose my patience with you!”  I would have done so much sooner.  One Christmas we asked everyone to make out a Christmas list as to what they wanted, and you responded that you didn’t need anything.

You loved to sew and cook and crochet.  You quickly, along with Susie, filled up your recipe box which you received when you were 8, and loved to try new recipes.  You started to sew up a storm and even did a history project for school showing the invention of the sewing machine.  Because of this talent you went on to make dresses, even prom dresses, and did all of the bead work on your wedding dress.

Athletics has always been one of your talents.  When you started to run as an early teen you just kept going and ended up All-State in Cross Country.  You enjoyed and excelled in dancing and enjoyed giving the neighborhood girls dancing lessons. 

You have always been dependable, whether or not it was convenient.  When you were 12 or so and was hit by a car you could not walk for a while and had to use crutches.  But you had a job working for Cathy Snow sewing cards.  Cathy’s shop was upstairs in a downtown building, and you did not want to let Cathy down, so insisted on going to work. The only way you could get up the stairs was backwards, on your behind, but you did it anyway.   If you needed extra money as a teenager you took an extra job.  One of your many was inserting newspapers at 2 a.m. Sunday mornings, along with a friend.  You came home with frozen fingers many times, but did it with no complaints because it needed to be done.

You also have a great sense of humor.  One night during FHE your dad was talking about the resurrection, and said that when we were resurrected our bodies would be perfect – that he would not have any holes in his teeth and that Grandpa Layer would be able to run.  You then added that mom would not have a ‘pointed nose.’  (thanks a lot. . . J)

You also excelled in scholastics and worked hard at school.  I never had to worry about you doing your homework.  You took pride in doing your best, and this helped pay for your college.

You and Susie got along so well – it was wonderful to see you together.  You two practically raised your younger siblings and were my ‘right and left hands’ during those years.  When I took the little children to California one summer for a few weeks, and you two stayed home because of jobs, etc., you wrapped tiny gifts for the children to be given hourly throughout the day to keep them entertained in the car.  You were ALWAYS doing things like that.

You were creative.  One year for our annual Family Valentine Dinner you and Susie were assigned to serve the meal (probably cook it also).  Your plan was to have matching waitress outfits, but the only problem was that Susie had just broken her leg and was on crutches.  So you stayed with ‘plan A’, adding a matching pair of crutches! 

 

After you had  spent a year at BYU I decided to go back and finish my degree  (at OSU).  I was scared to death about returning and making a fool out of myself, but you volunteered to go with me my first day and ‘hold my hand’ since BYU had not started yet.  After you attended a class or two with me you happened to see a friend that had graduated with you from high school and suddenly went white, saying ,” They probably think this is MY first day at school and you are here to hold MY hand!!!!”

You have always handled any situation in your life with grace and dignity.  After marrying a wonderful man and having Alex (now ready to leave the nest), Dale had a horrible accident.  The way you have then and now handled the situation is an example to us all.  I have never heard you complain.  I have seen you give your all to your family, but also reach out to others who you say are much worse off than you.

You are the great multi-tasker.  When you had your triplets your hands were, and still are, full.  I was at your house one day and left to go to the store.  The babies obviously got hungry before I returned, so you did what you had to do.  Upon entering your kitchen there you were sitting at the kitchen table with one baby in a sling while two were sitting in infant seats being fed.  At the same time you were resting with your eyes closed and were talking on the phone!   It was AMAZING!

Congratulations, Debbie, on the wonderful 40 years you have spent on this earth.  You continue to be an inspiration and example to me and I am proud to be your mother!

Love, Mom

Happy Birthday!!

Happy Birthday to a woman who is a great example of patience, selflessness, endurance and true beauty. I have only known Debbie for a few years, but she has been so consistent in all those attributes. My life is blessed by her example and I am thankful to be in the same ward, and to have served in primary at the same time. Because I have not known her as long, I don't have any really funny stories, only admiration for all that she does.

I hope that your day is blessed, and that this next year is filled with things that would bring you happiness!

Alisa

Cottage Cheese on My Pillow, Cat Food in My Cookie

 Deb - Welcome to the Old Club.  You'll love it!!!  Being young, as you will shortly discover, is entirely too overrated.  Speaking of young, here's a short walk down memory lane:

Look how cute we were in our matching dresses!  

 A few years older but still matching - except for our different colored scarves.

 Stuffed animals aren't matching?  Someone's slacking off....

 Not to worry - Grandma Layer had us matching again in no time.

We seem a little old to match, but it looks as if we are in fact wearing ultra-ugly matching shirts.

Best. Hair. Ever.  Oh, and it matches (except for the color).

To honor our great matching tradition, I guess we thought it was a good idea to buy matching hats in Tijuana.  Or maybe we bought them so people would think we were affiliated with a gang & would therefore be too frightened and intimidated to mug us.

 Lookie here!  Matching again on Maui! Mom made the shorts, Grandma the t-shirts.

I didn't match you at all on your wedding day - you were beautifully radiant, I had just returned from my mission & had forgotten how to dress & do my hair (note no pic of me :).

Preference 1992. Double date.  You with your sweetheart Dale, me with my sweetheart. You didn't know yet that you were pregnant, I didn't know yet that I was dating the biggest jerk in the universe (note I didn't post the pic of the four of us or name the offending party - I'm SO magnanimous).  So if you want to stretch it, we matched that night in our ignorance.

Christmas 2010.  Different clothes, different hair, different daughters (both beautiful), but somehow matching all the same.  After all, we can't escape all those years of matching, of being sisters, of becoming friends.

Since I was only 21 months old when you were born, I have few memories (especially pre-18-yr-old memories) without you in them.  My life would literally not be the same without you.  I can't imagine my life without:

• Eating a cookie laced with cat food made especially for me by you and Maya.
• Perming your hair, after which you had to go to a hairdresser, who told you to NEVER let me touch your hair again.
• Cutting your hair a year or so later, carefully following the directions in a magazine.  Then "touching up" the haircut here and there by grabbing the scissors & lopping some off as you were curling your hair with the curling iron.
• Crawling into bed after a day in which I had been super mean to you and laying my head down onto a huge glob of cottage cheese on my pillow.  I despised cottage cheese, remember dry heaving while trying to dig it out of my ear.  I probably deserved it.
• Riding in the back seat while Mom was driving down Duck Street, waiting until we passed a cute guy walking on the street, quacking as loud as we could out the window, and then ducking so it would look like Mom had quacked.
• Missing you (and missing wearing your clothes!) when I went off to BYU & you were still in high school.
• Missing you while I was on my mission in Vienna & you were at BYU.
• Coming home from my mission and staying up late wiring bows for your wedding, attending your shower, and riding in the van to the Dallas Temple to watch you marry your sweetheart.
• Going to the hospital when Alex was born, holding her for the first time.
• Going to the rehabilitation hospital when Dale had his accident, watching Alex so you could spend time with Dale, trying to fully comprehend what had happened.
• Going to Dale's med school graduation, being awed at what you and he had accomplished together.
• Being at your house when you and Dale brought the triplets home from the hospital, marveling at them, at you and Dale, reading the framed quote on your wall which reads, "No Toil Nor Labor Fear," and crying - feeling completely overwhelmed and enormously happy for you and Dale.

Your life of sacrifice, service, goodness, laughter and love is an inspiration to me.  You are my hero in every way.  Some day I hope to be as amazing as you are.  I am honored to have you for a sister and friend.  

Despite the cottage cheese and cat food cookie, I've loved you since the day you were born. And I always will.

Susie

Ode to Deb

Debbie,

Sadly, I've only known you since I was 14.  And even sadder, our friendship was constructed upon the  flimsy and somewhat surreal foundation of Stillwater Stake basketball tournaments, dances, and youth conferences.  Nevertheless, like the best of the youth in the region, you were keen to realize the necessity of the symbiotic relationship between Ponca City and Stillwater.  Sure, you had Eskimo Joe's and a thriving university campus to share with us.  But what would you have done without the occasional drive past Ponca's scenic and aromatic refinery, or the Pioneer Woman's proud head scorched from Eric Simpson's artistic pyro-vision?  Or how shallow would yours, Verdean's, Tonya's, and Debbie 2's life experiences have been if you hadn't honed in on the superior models of masculine (if not socially awkward) young men which Ponca City had to offer, and which Stillwater so desperately lacked?  And yet through it all, though you knew deep in your heart Stillwater was superior to Ponca City (at least in its proximity to Oklahoma City), you kept that to yourself, distinguishing yourself with the poise, restraint and grace which has endeared yourself to those around you all these many years.

And while I’m lavishing praise, let me say that your well-deserved reputation of loyalty and kindness is not in the least bit exaggerated, and it has been an inspiration to glimpse celestial service and fidelity in your devotion to family and friends.  Though you may now be at the crest of the proverbial hill, we're all hoping to get as far as you have by the time we're at the bottom of the hill.  Ticia and I wish you the best, and hope that we will be able to claim association with you for many years to come, and beyond.  Have a great 40^th, and welcome to the club!  You're now officially allowed to claim something outrageously fun for yourself, in the guise of a mid-life crisis.

With warmest regards,

Rob Stolt

Dear Debbie #2

Yes, you are Debbie #2 and I am Debbie #1.  I remember we were given these names because we were always hanging together, and to help keep stories straight or to be addressed in some ways, we were named Debbie #1 and Debbie #2.  I was Debbie #1 because I was born before you....not because I am literally #1.  LOL  

 

Congrats for making it to 40!  I can't believe we have known each other for over 30 years!  I have so many great memories of going to your house... ALL the time!!!  It wasn't as if your family didn't have enough kids, but I swear we always were at your home.  We must have watched 16 candles 100 times at your home.  I will never forget the night your Mom came in right in at the WORST time and we were mortified.  I can't remember what had happened after that.  I remember our silly little fashion shows and photo shoots we had at your house. You always had the best clothes and all the "girl" things we needed to look "Hot"....so we thought.  I remember we hounded you all the time to get the film developed so we could send our weekly pictures off to our boys.  LOL   

 

I loved the many years we spent running together in Track and Cross Country.  I remember you passing me and beating some of my best times as well. :-)  The coaches all loved you...they couldn't resist your dimples and kindness.  Debbie you have always been known for your kindness, beauty, intelligence, good heart, honesty and integrity.  Those are only a few of your great characteristics that had drawn so many people to want to get to know you. I will admit, I was jealous of  you many times.  I swear you did NOTHING wrong!  LOL 

 

I remember that you and Dennis had this amazing friendship and crush...I had always hoped you would have been my sister in law.  Dennis might have been a lot better off. :-)  Debbie, I have so many great memories of you and I am so grateful for the friendship that we have formed so many years ago and still exists today. 

 

I love the fact that after 20 years, we could all get together as if time never seperated us and we find ourselves still giggling about those silly Ponca City boys and the fun we had together growing up.  I know for a fact that I wouldn't be the person I am today if I didn't have such great friends like you in my life.  I cherish our memories of our childhood together.  I hope you will enjoy your 40th year and look forward to 40 more! 

 

All my love,

Debbie #1

Do You Remember Cheerios??

I was there when you were born   In fact, I had the very important job of recording your Mom's contractions.....I was very conscientious about being very accurate, I even had to ask for another piece of paper, the report was so detailed.  As the nurse wheeled you Mom to the delivery room, I handed her the report.   "Oh, I don't need that!"    So all my work was in vain...She just wanted to keep me busy and out of her hair.

Debbie do you remember cheerios....I used them and put them up my arm  up help you get acquainted with me, since we only saw one another very seldom.

From a very young age, you liked MEN.   Grandpa k, Grandpa Layer, Uncle Argil.....When Phil came back from overseas wit a long black beard, I thought you would be scared......Not so. Phil ranked number one!

We've loved all your visits with your family and with your college friends...and now your darling family.....(Do you need any lemons?)   We could go on and on.with memories....

I remember the night before your wedding, helping sew seed pearls on your wedding gown.

What a privilege it was to be a part....

Just one more thing:

We love you....a bushel and a peck!!!

Grandpa and Grandma Layer

Happy BIRTHDAY!!

Happy Birthday, friend!

I will always remember my sister’s best friend, Debbie and all the time I spent with you because of Lena.  I remember wanting to be just like the both of you—beautiful, kind, smart, the list goes on and on.  And as the right of all little sisters, I was tagging along with the big girls.  I remember one trip you took with us to Utah and half way there when we had a pit stop, you just had to go for a run.  I remember thinking how admirable it was that you put your running shoes on and went for a jog!  As a runner for the past 14 years I can relate to that feeling of just needing to put your running shoes on and go!

I have countless memories of you at our house and us at yours and of course too many stories to re-count but I do remember you and Lena dressing me up (I couldn’t have been more than 6 years old) for me to “marry” your brother who was close to my age!  You had a wedding for us and everything! 

To a girl who is full of life!  The world needs you!  Happy 40^th, Debbie! 

Warmly, Lyz Hurst Metcalf

!!Happy Birthday Debbie!!

!!40!!

Debbie you look FANTASTIC!!

I remember countless fun times with our two families and the ol stillwater gang....such wonderful memories! Talent shows, pie suppers, and slide shows. One of my favorite memories is our two families singing rounds  together, like don't put your dust in my dust pan, fish and chips and vinegar can't you just picture us all making a racket? good-times and now look at all of us 'kids', we are all grown up building memeories for our own little families! Debbie I wish you the hap hap happiest birthday EVER!!

Much love now and always!

sarrah hurst groves

Peanut Butter

When I was little I really loved you Debbie and I always wanted to be like you or have you recognize me as a 'cool' kid/friend/sister. I remember you LOVED peanut butter. I did not like it.  However, I remember you standing in the kitchen with a spoon and the peanut butter jar eating bites. Our siblings would razz you. I would say I liked peanut butter too and eat it in front of you ( and only then).

I also remember you and Susie having some friendly argument and you dumping a bowl of chocolate pudding on Susie's head. It could have been the other way around. Either way it was funny.

I love you and wish you the happiest 40th!

Bekkah

Debbie,

Happy Birthday!!!!  Hope you have a wonderful day, and that it's just as wonderful as you are.  You look totally awesome, hope I look as young as you do, when I am 40.   Many Happy Birthday wishes sent your way.   Gosh!  How time fly's when your having fun,  I remember your family coming over for cookout's and horse back riding.  I even remember when your oldest was born and when the triplet's were born.

Happy Birthday!!!
Katrina Lochner Gowen

Happy Birthday!

Debbie,

Happy Birthday!  I can’t believe you are going to be 40!  Wow. I can't imagine what that must be like...

Debbie,  thanks for being such a good friend through the years.  I could not have asked for a better, more true friend growing up!  You were always an inspiration to me.  You are a good, good person and I love you.

I found this poem this week.  Do you remember? 

Forever Friends

Long ago and a far way, at a beautiful place in the sky

I met you, and you met me.  We were best friends, you and I.

We danced and played and laughed and sang-we let our talents grow.

We tried to learn most everything that on the earth we’d have to know.

And now we’ve met down here again! And though we might move far.

The friendship that’s stayed pure so long will never yield a scar.

Cause Forever Friends are special, and soon we both will see

That as we were so long ago, it’ll always be you and me.

1985 or 1986

We had such a good childhood.   Thank you for being a Forever Friend even as we have moved so far from each other. You are a treasure to me.

Love, Lena Marie

Debbie,

Turning 40?.  That is awesome!  Thank you for your wonderful example of kindness towards everyone.  It is always incredible to see how you make everyone around you happy.  Your love for life and your family is truly an inspiration!

Ruthann Cunningham

Debbie, you are inspirational!

Debbie,

Happy 40th! I remember getting to know you better at our family reunion in Branson, Missouri, when you were first married. I thought you were so beautiful and so lucky to have married such a handsome, funny guy. Sure enough, years down the road, you are a beautiful wife still married to a handsome, funny guy, and you have four beautiful daughters on top of it! You inspire me so much to be a more devoted and loving wife and mother. Thank you for your amazing example to me and countless others of women who do so much for their loved ones. Have a wonderful birthday!

Love,

Afton

Happy Birthday Debbie!

Hey Debbie,

So you're turning 40! Congrats! The 40's are a blast ... so enjoy!

Debbie, we feel blessed to know you and even more blessed to get to be part of your extended family. You truly are a woman of virtue. You are full of strength, integrity, righteousness and power. Your testimony of the Savior radiates in all you do and others can feel of its warmth. You are an awesome example to us of courage and Christ-like love. You can't possibly know how many people watch your tireless example of self-less service and wish they could be more like you. And the best thing about it is that you don't realize how wonderful you are. You go about doing good and being wonderful without realizing how extraordinary you are!

You are an amazing woman Debbie. And we love you very, very much!

Happy Birthday Cousin!

Connie, Greg, Rebecca, Grant and Matthew Goates

Fun Times!

I met Debbie on the bus when I lived in her neighborhood. After our first conversations started involving the Ponca boys, the rest was history. Debbie and I have been very close friends now for 27 years. She has been there for me always including times when things were pretty dark. We have a lot of history obviously, so to help celebrate her big 4-0 I decided to write down a few of our personal jokes that always make us laugh now since it's funny how we have grown old-ER.

My neck is wet...Norgi sneezed all over me!
Bobby bit the bulldog's butt and the bulldog's butt bit back! Too bad he is missing.
My dad bought me a rose since he forbid me to see Whitesnake.
I drank all my powdered milk, I don't know why Rebecca has a full glass.
So Verdean, aren't you gonna ask me if I kissed ---- last night?
The butt ugly car, butt ugly dog, and the butt ugly baby
(After Verdean talks 30 minutes) So guess what happened to me...my house burnt down.
This one is for curly hairs only!
At hotel room on the way to Jackson after Deb talks to me forever...”Verdean, are you awake?”
Has anyone seen David's retainer?
Sister Grisel crying from our horrid behavior...I guess that's not that funny
Don't mind her...she just got some stitches in her anus!
Alva guys, sweaty hands, the flame head, the bellbottom boy, the smooth-talker
Well, I guess you can just like HIM....I might have fallen off a cliff or something :( Love, John Stamos
Funny how every letter matches the exact format and writing that my letter has...how predictable!!
Mac and cheese, carrots, orange juice....GO POKES!
Here...aim the shredded popcorn box right there....in Todd L's pants exposing full on underwear view
Getting ready for the big performance on Saturday Night Fever..how big can we make our flare jeans?
Zorro the Gay Blade....looking at the different little jiggly things on all of his flamboyant hats
Going to the basketball game...Hey, my sweats have a triangle on the crotch too!
Journey concert....EWW! Those are two men making out!
Hi Geoff...do you like me?
The conversation list that fell out of my dress at the dance
Nothing like a dress made out of a sheet accompanied by a pair of jellies....or a shiny silver tin foil dress with matching shoes!
Well, it's kinda like you're peeing in your pants
Um, Deb, you realize youre on speaker phone and my parents heard everything you just said!
Making gloop at my house.....Debbie says to Scott Cathey “Did you find something in your mailbox?”
Tonya's legwarmers and head flip...perfect 80's girl!
Debbie Wilson's gigantic car that she could barely see over the steering wheel...and wanting to do 30 things in a 30 minute lunch time.
BoBos, Mexican Joes, Eskimo Joes, New York Bagels, Chinese Food....mmmm
Passing notes in between Cochran and White's class
Babysitting your family when Susie and Deonne Tweeten knocked on all the windows to scare me!
Deb's fur bikini bottom in Jackson Hole...So help me Verdean...don't show anyone!!
George at camp crossing the barb wire fence...”good thing I have protection!”
Dennis and Debbie...true love forever...well, at least for a week until you broke up over the church phone
You can't ask us out...we are too young...I still have braces on!
Our wonderful picture we made up of us a Gibsons....and nothing like some eggnog afterwards!

FUN TIMES DEBBIE!!....Can't imagine my life if you weren't part of it!!

Love, Verdean

Happy birthday Debbie!

Its been so long since we were in the ward in Villa Maria in Provo -- it seems like we had someone from every part of our lives there! My earliest memories with your family were when my parents lived in Salt Lake and yours in Ogden and we got to go up and visit "the Cousins" and have a jolly time, but then April and I would have a long drive home falling asleep.

I am pretty sure you were on the trip with your father in the Ford Escort wagon when you came through Virginia on your way to New York City and upstate. I get the biggest laugh when I tell the story about how your father didn't take my dad's advice about not driving into NYC, and then you guys having to look for restrooms in a bad part of town.

40 isn't that bad compared to 39. But 25 sure was better. 80 will be much worse. Happy Birthday!!!

Cousin Clark