Reflections of a Quilter

Don't ask me what I was doing checking out the Facebook pages.  Like I have the time to be doing that.  Anyway, I came across my brother, Don's, beautiful, eloquent contribution to the memorial for our sister, Debbie.  I was unaware that he had posted it on Facebook.  So, I am very belatedly passing this amazing tribute to our baby sister on to the world...

I’m Don Emery, Debbie Lee’s oldest brother.

To be honest, I never dreamed I would be doing this, and if I thought about it at all, it would have been her doing this about me. I’m not sure I can get through this, so please forgive me while I read these brief thoughts.

And please understand that for most of my life, Lee was Deb. Changing her name to Lee was part of her constant evolution, a reflection of the spiritual and personal growth that she embraced throughout her life.

From the moment Deb could walk, her arms were stretched out, embracing life; her blonde curls bouncing in time with her laughter. It was as if she were saying, “Hay! Look at me! I’m here and you better pay attention. I’ve got something to say worth listening to.” And she did in hundreds of ways, ways each of you know in your own special way.

She said it as a DAUGHTER and a SISTER, always caring, always there to support, defend, and yes, tell you what to do just in case you needed telling.

She sang it as a MOTHER, raising a daughter that was the pride and joy of her life, a living testament for all she stood and lived for.

Many of you heard her as a TEACHER, sharing her love of language and yoga, helping others to develop their skills and grow physically and spiritually.

Lee was a natural-born LEADER, bringing passion, commitment, and organization to every thing she did.

And all of us experienced the SUPER-HERO with her fierce INTOLERENCE FOR INJUSTICE and her COMPASSION FOR WOUNDED OR ABANDONED ANIMALS,

And a SURVIVOR, riding out Katrina on the roof of a house in her nightgown, and then rebuilding her life around a new home…

Most of all Deb was a PASSIONATE ROMANTIC, seeking the love-partner she envisioned, embracing life with her dancing shoes on and the most beautiful smile and soul-filled laughter you ever heard.

You know, many people have said that with time, I will find “closure.” Whatever closure means, I’m not sure I want it.

I just want her here, with us, and while it may sound crazy, I know she is here in each heart that loves her.

Let me read you a poem that expresses my feelings about closure, adapted without apologies from one by EE Comings:

I CARRY YOUR HEART WITH ME (I CARRY IT IN MY HEART);
I AM NEVER WITHOUT IT

(ANYWHERE I GO, AND WHATEVER I DO IS YOUR DOING, MY SISTER)

I FEAR NO FATE (FOR YOU ARE MY FATE, MY SWEET SISTER)

I WANT NO OTHER WORLD (FOR BEAUTIFUL, YOU ARE MY WORLD)

YOU ARE WHATEVER A MOON HAS ALWAYS MEANT;
WHATEVER A SUN WILL ALWAYS SING, IS YOU

HERE IS THE DEEPEST SECRET NOBODY KNOWS

HERE IS THE ROOT OF THE ROOT AND THE BUD OF THE BUD, AND THE SKY OF THE SKY OF A TREE CALLED LIFE; WHICH GROWS HIGHER THAN SOUL CAN HOPE OR MIND CAN HIDE

THIS IS THE WONDER THAT’S KEEPING THE STARS APART

THIS IS THE WONDER THAT IS YOU

I CARRY YOUR HEART (I CARRY IT IN MY HEART)