Debbie,
You are 40 years old. Wow. In a way it makes me feel old. But in a more real way it makes me feel young, because you are young. I view you as perpetually young, energetic, optimistic, capable and happy. I don't think that will ever change.
I remember growing-up years. It was you and Susie vs. me. I built a fort, you and Susie had to lobby to be admitted into it. my friend and I pitched a tent in our backyard, you and Susie would come terrorize us. You sat on the edge of your bed before sleep, I reached out from my hiding spot under your the bed and grabbed your ankles.
The thing is, when I retired from these battles, I had to go to my room by myself, and you and Susie got to stay up giggling and talking. I loved how you were always best friends, sharing everything.
I remember High School years, watching you ace your classes and rock your cross country... I was *so* confident in your abilities. I thought you were a golden child--someone who could succeed at anything. People loved you, and you and your friends were always laughing. You loved telling Verdean stories, and I remember my stomach hurting from laughing so hard.
When I left for UT, I got pictures of you winning cross-country meets. These continued on my mission. Then you got accepted to BYU, and I had 2 sisters there. What else was I to do except drop my spot at UT and return from my mission to BYU instead?
You lived in Heritage Halls when I arrived, and you had awesome roommates. You were having a ton of fun at BYU, and I liked hanging out at your place. It made me feel like I belonged.
Then you married Dale, and I remember visiting you two... I remember making Taco Salad... and of course I remember when Alex was born. I was proud to be her first babysitter, and I especially was happy--really happy--to sit in your apartment while you and Dale went out and I got to hold that little (big) bundle of joy.
Speaking of big.... Alex was FAT. I remember talking to Kyle Newkirk once, and he said he had recently seen you and your new baby in Stillwater, and he couldn't think of anything else to say, so he froze and then heard himself saying, "That's the fattest baby I've ever seen." I laughed and laughed. Yes, Alex did have four knees and six elbows, and she was super fat. But then again, so was Matt. And we loved both :). I was proud that you and Dale had a little baby and that I was an uncle. You were moving forward with your life, and I was a little jealous :).
Then the terrible phone call. Lisa and I were working on our condo--a couple weeks before getting married--and we got a phone call about Dale's accident. My heart sunk, and I went immediately into action mode. I was on the next flight I could get to Denver (the next morning?) I had no idea what to expect, and there was a big hole of anticipation in my chest as I walked in to the room. I was greeted as family and ushered in, and there you were with Dale. He could barely talk. He had had the worst night of his life. I'll never forget what he said to me. "I wanted to die. The pain was so horrible, and the noise was so loud (from the MRI), I wanted to die. But I love your sister. And I love Alex. And I knew I couldn't die--I wanted to hang on for them." Dale was emotional and tough all at the same time. He has gone on to inspire me and many others. You chose a good man to marry--a really good man.
I never saw you flinch. I'm sure you did, but I never saw it.
Since then we have visited only a few times in Oklahoma, and mostly seen you and Dale at family reunions. Alex has become a great friend, and we love having her visit us. You and Dale have raised wonderful daughters, and you are an incredible example to everyone who knows you.
You are still perpetually young, energetic, optimistic, capable and happy. I don't think anything can change that about you--in fact, if anyone dares to try you will change them instead. You lift people up. You are a wonderful person and friend and sister. I am proud to be your brother.
-Dave, age 4~#$@
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