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
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