"A Tale of Two Debs"
I thought of the title long before I had any idea what I might write about, so as always, prepare yourself for the unknown...I have. My mom's real name was Bernadette but she went by Debby, with a Y. She departed this earth nine years ago this past Saturday, Jan 21st. Truly un-fuc*ing believable. I picked up my friend Debbie, with an IE, from the airport this past Saturday morning, Jan 21st. She actually came to visit, truly un-fuc*ing believable. Just kidding, but it flowed so well, I had to stick it in there. Debb(ie) was named after my mom. Pretty cool since we aren't even related, except by the bonds of "Wuv, True Wuv." Oh, I am on a roll now.
You see, our parents met when they were very young and as best as we can recall, only knew each other somewhere between 4-8 months before Marly and Larry Cracraft moved to Michigan. But it had already happened; Debby and Marly were the best of friends. And as best friends do, they nurtured this relationship and it played out in several ways. Marly, upon giving birth to her second child (Chuck was the first) named her Debb(ie). It was up for debate a while until my dad offered his three-cents, "who on earth would name their child Bernadette?!" Debbie it was. And then there were the road trips. Our family would travel to Battle Creek, Michigan (home of Tony the Tiger and The Cracraft's) once a year and they would travel to Shady Side, Maryland (home of Blue Crabs, The Shady Side Hilton and The Herath's) on alternate years. It is what we did. They became like family. Often, when Larry and the kids would return back home, Marly would stay and hang with mom for another week...or two. They would talk and laugh and party and talk and laugh and party some more. It was a beautiful relationship to witness. As time went on, their relationship grew. However, we as kids grew apart as our lives as young adults began to unfold. People got married and had their own kids. In fact, Debb(ie) named her first boy Matthew. Some might say it was after my brother, whom Debb(ie) still questions about his decision to marry Soni instead of her......but, that is another blog piece altogether.
When Marly left this earth way too young, we came together again. Like all relationships that have the true depths of "WUV," it was as if we had never been away from each other. Further, as tragedies often do, it reconnected us in a new way, at a new time and with an unspoken sense of purpose. While we still did not see each other in person very often, the random phone calls or e-mails said it all. In fact, they were the surprise guests at Mom's 60th birthday party, the infamous hat party for those of you that were there. Now THAT was a party!!! Then Debby decided she had to go visit Marly....I thought Michigan was far away. Come on Mom, for real? A bit shell shocked, Larry, Chuck and Deb fly to Maryland to help us grieve, prepare for and attend mom's service. Another level of bonding. As the story goes, Dad rarely made the trips to Michigan but he too decides that the trip to see Marly and Mom is worth the price of admission. More bonding. Debbie's kids even know and crave trips to Shady Side. That is what I'm talking about. The next generation baby! OK, if it wasn't true, you would think I was making this up. Four years ago Larry decides.....you know what's next don't you?
I guess Larry gets the memo that there is a seat at the crab and beer table waiting for him and he always loved a good crab party. Shut the front door!! Like that, "poof" they are gone.
I always wondered why people would visit Michigan:) When we went, though the neighbors behind them had a pool, it was always cold as sh*t so I never got in. And, after visiting the Kellogg's factory a half dozen times, you already knew the cereal secrets. Regardless, my sister and I went two years ago, in the middle of the flippin winter to hang with our dear friend, watch her daughter play basketball and her son play drums. And to be honest, get our buzz on and chat. So I was honestly not surprised when I asked Deb to come visit this past week and she made the journey. We talked and talked and talked. There wasn't a topic we didn't cover. One day, we even got our buzz on...well, Deb and my sister got their buzz on and I was the designated driver. Deb has been following my blog and was itching to talk about my spiritual journey and hers. We did. She has also been wondering when she was going to be mentioned in my blog because after all "it's all about me, isn't it?" she has often asked. Indeed, my friend, indeed.
My life, my journey, my spiritual path would not be the same if it wasn't for my two Debs.
Namaste Debbie. Namaste Debby.
You see, our parents met when they were very young and as best as we can recall, only knew each other somewhere between 4-8 months before Marly and Larry Cracraft moved to Michigan. But it had already happened; Debby and Marly were the best of friends. And as best friends do, they nurtured this relationship and it played out in several ways. Marly, upon giving birth to her second child (Chuck was the first) named her Debb(ie). It was up for debate a while until my dad offered his three-cents, "who on earth would name their child Bernadette?!" Debbie it was. And then there were the road trips. Our family would travel to Battle Creek, Michigan (home of Tony the Tiger and The Cracraft's) once a year and they would travel to Shady Side, Maryland (home of Blue Crabs, The Shady Side Hilton and The Herath's) on alternate years. It is what we did. They became like family. Often, when Larry and the kids would return back home, Marly would stay and hang with mom for another week...or two. They would talk and laugh and party and talk and laugh and party some more. It was a beautiful relationship to witness. As time went on, their relationship grew. However, we as kids grew apart as our lives as young adults began to unfold. People got married and had their own kids. In fact, Debb(ie) named her first boy Matthew. Some might say it was after my brother, whom Debb(ie) still questions about his decision to marry Soni instead of her......but, that is another blog piece altogether.
When Marly left this earth way too young, we came together again. Like all relationships that have the true depths of "WUV," it was as if we had never been away from each other. Further, as tragedies often do, it reconnected us in a new way, at a new time and with an unspoken sense of purpose. While we still did not see each other in person very often, the random phone calls or e-mails said it all. In fact, they were the surprise guests at Mom's 60th birthday party, the infamous hat party for those of you that were there. Now THAT was a party!!! Then Debby decided she had to go visit Marly....I thought Michigan was far away. Come on Mom, for real? A bit shell shocked, Larry, Chuck and Deb fly to Maryland to help us grieve, prepare for and attend mom's service. Another level of bonding. As the story goes, Dad rarely made the trips to Michigan but he too decides that the trip to see Marly and Mom is worth the price of admission. More bonding. Debbie's kids even know and crave trips to Shady Side. That is what I'm talking about. The next generation baby! OK, if it wasn't true, you would think I was making this up. Four years ago Larry decides.....you know what's next don't you?
I guess Larry gets the memo that there is a seat at the crab and beer table waiting for him and he always loved a good crab party. Shut the front door!! Like that, "poof" they are gone.
I always wondered why people would visit Michigan:) When we went, though the neighbors behind them had a pool, it was always cold as sh*t so I never got in. And, after visiting the Kellogg's factory a half dozen times, you already knew the cereal secrets. Regardless, my sister and I went two years ago, in the middle of the flippin winter to hang with our dear friend, watch her daughter play basketball and her son play drums. And to be honest, get our buzz on and chat. So I was honestly not surprised when I asked Deb to come visit this past week and she made the journey. We talked and talked and talked. There wasn't a topic we didn't cover. One day, we even got our buzz on...well, Deb and my sister got their buzz on and I was the designated driver. Deb has been following my blog and was itching to talk about my spiritual journey and hers. We did. She has also been wondering when she was going to be mentioned in my blog because after all "it's all about me, isn't it?" she has often asked. Indeed, my friend, indeed.
My life, my journey, my spiritual path would not be the same if it wasn't for my two Debs.
Namaste Debbie. Namaste Debby.
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