DEDICATION
As I said on the main page, this site exists because of and is dedicated to Deborah Davis Jones. I lost Deb to a rare cancer (LMS) in 2011. I was so much luckier than I ever deserved to have her in my life, and try to remember that when I think her - which is every day.
When Deb left, I felt so drained and defeated and there was so much going on in such a short time, I didn't have the time or the energy to come up with a proper eulogy for her funeral - and I never would have gotten through it anyway. Several of her friends said some wonderful things, which I will always be grateful for. I felt guilty about not doing that, but eventually pieced together some thoughts about her I'd like to share:
It's impossible to tell you everything you should know about Deb, but this will hopefully at least give you a snapshot about this wonderful person I was so lucky to call my girl for so long:
First of all, this beautiful lady was exactly that: a lady. A true "Southern belle," she had such class and was always very proper - never tacky or vulgar or mean-spirited - and above all, always considerate of others. This is a large part of why people were drawn to her. She was one of those people who was so well liked by everybody she met because of an inner warmth and grace that just seemed to resonate with people.
But don't mistake "proper" for "prissy." She was very down to Earth! I was sometimes surprised at some of the off-color things she would find funny that I would have assumed weren't "delicate" enough for her.
One of the most impressive things about her, though, was her inner strength that few saw or fully appreciated....and I admit I only really did after seeing how she handled going through more than can be believed with her illness (something most people also saw little of). Despite it all, she never complained; she just calmly did what she had to...and till the end, was still thinking of others, sharing what she learned in the hopes of helping them.
She was also one of the most unpretentious and sincere people I've ever met, and I loved that about her as much as anything. She wasn't impressed by flash or glitter and didn't try to impress others or engage in the social posturing that so many of us get so wrapped up in. There were no games. What you saw was what you got, and what you got was a beautiful person, in every sense of the word, with a quiet charm and sweetness that people were naturally drawn to. Small wonder her funeral service filled the church.
And while she appreciated having "nice things" like most of us do, she knew what counted in life, taking the most joy from the simplest of things that most of us often take for granted, like a good meal or glass of wine, the antics of her crazy dogs, or simple, small gatherings (her favorite kind)...and most of all, the people she cared about.
Along with those "big" important things about her, there were also many little things about her which I miss, like her laugh, or the inside jokes we shared...so many other things, even things that could drive me crazy, like how she was the slowest eater in the history of the world. Or how she would lose something of no real value - say a paper clip - and turn the house upside down looking for it. Or how she couldn't watch more than 10 minutes of a movie without falling asleep (I called it "theatrical narcolepsy") - and then had the nerve to get mad when I wouldn't tell her how it ended. What I'd give to be driven crazy by those things again.
When it came time to pick out her urn, they said I could get it engraved, and after a lot of searching and thinking, I chose an angel, which is perfect for Deb. Her kindness, warmth, sincerity, thinking of others before herself, and so much more were all so angelic. She truly was an angel on this Earth.
Dear Deb: I love you and miss you beyond words, but am forever grateful for the gift of your life, for all that you gave me - gave all of us. I think of you every day. Please know that when it is my time, there are of course others I hope to see, but you will be the first person I look for on "the other side." I know I don't deserve it, but please be there waiting. I have the hug of a lifetime to give you.
