Debbie

What do you say in front of the world about your best friend? How do I even begin? I knew you would be in my life forever that first night we talked. At 4:00 a.m. I wasn't even tired, I was exhilarated! You thought out things before you said them, and you had spent time on your opinions and observations. Where we disagreed, I learned. Where we agreed, I soared.

There are so many things about you that I admire, and so much I want to adopt in me. And so many of our weaknesses are so similar too (not all of them, I know, I know). I only wish I had your sense of style. I tried to decorate my apartment and found that it only looked good when I asked "what would Deb do here?" No. Seriously.

And you accept me - never pressure me to be someone I am not. You also never humor me or condiscend to imply that I am less for being me either.

It seems like you are a million miles away (how far is Oklahoma from California, anyway?), and that I haven't talked to you in forever. I get scared that we've lost our link, but then...

... we talk. Nothing changes. You just get me, you get ... it.

And you remind me that you have taught me that life is a teacher and the best people are intentionally students; that there is a carnival, a banquet set in front of us while we starve; that passion and knowledge and politics and philosophy and theology are all beauty even when wielded by a five-year-old; and that NO ONE CAN REPOSSESS WHAT IS IN MY HEAD.

And I hope that the journey that you have chosen to take this time will be your most amazing yet. This trip you'll take at home. And these memories won't just be memories (you know what I mean).

Love you, Deb.