As I lay awake in bed, I realize that I really don't want to write a blog this week... Maybe if it had been writen early in the week, but not now. Not after the loss of a mentor and friend. Yet I realize that I would be breaking my own goal of writing one blog a week only two weeks in. I also realize that I wouldn't be doing Deb any justice by simply tossing aside my thoughts and feelings about her. Afterall, she always encouraged me to do what I felt was right, and to never let anything stop you... It just wouldn't be right. So here I am, unsure of where this writing will lead... If you want to listen to some saddened ramblings, then feel free to stick around. Because everything will be pure and from the heart.

For those who have no idea, Deb was my French teacher in high school. I had the pleasure of having her class three times. While I didn't try as hard as I should have to learn the language she taught me...... Alright, I really didn't try at all. Yet I still feel like a walked away a much more intelligent person, despite my not knowing a snail from a slug, muchless how to order them in France. She was quite young, and fell victim to double pnemonia. She fought and fought, but after a month, lost her battle. She died around the noon hour on 10/9/09. I think I'll always remember where I was when I found out... I was watching the Toy Story double feature, and embracing my inner child, when I felt my phone vibrate near the end of the second movie. I waited until all the bloopers ended (yeah, bloopers in an animated movie makes no sense to me either), and then pulled out my phone to see an email update explaining that she had lost her battle. I believe my driving became worst then usual as I tried to drive home with tears in my eyes. I felt like it wasn't fair after she fought so hard for so long. She was so long, and so full of life... And she was such an inspiration to us all. I don't think I was able to calm down until I got home, checked facebook, and saw that a teacher posted that Deb must be drinking a nice red wine in heaven right now..... Anyone that knew her could totally see her toasting her glass of wine with Jesus. She was strong in her faith, so I could take comfort in the fact that she is in a better place now, and out of pain.

You might ask why this teacher was so special. I have to ask you: Have you ever been called a cretin before? If you were a student, Deb would jokingly call you a cretin. Now, how many people actually know what the word means? I actually looked it up tonight and found that it comes from a French word (imagine that), and that it means " a deformed and mentally retarded person." Thank you for that Deb. We loved you too. :-P

You have to know that Deb was known far and wide for her sarcasm. You could only take anything that she said at face value, and even then had to know never to take offense to anything she said.

You might still be asking yourself why she was so well loved if she was sarcastic and believed children to be retarded... I think the answer is found in the nickname she had: momma. She was like a mother to us all. If we needed advice, she was the one to come to. Just needed someone to talk to? Momma was the answer. Needed a laugh? Hands down, momma could cheer up anyone. Her smile and laugh were just contageous. She was smart, and her intelligence went past book smarts: She knew people. She knew food. And wine. Lots of wine. And she loved a good massage.

Momma and I shared a great passion, and that was for travel. I would like to share my last memory that I have of momma... See, I had gone overseas on a 4 week trip. This trip included 9 days in Egypt. Momma was fasinated that I would be going to such an exotic country, so I made a note to bring her back a gift. While I was over there, I saw the ulgyiest thing I have ever seen: A $1 camel doll that looked like it was made from used bandaids. I can't describe just how ugly this thing was. And when I saw it, I knew it was perfect for momma. See, her and another teacher had a competition to find the most tacky gift possible on vacation, and always try to one-up the others last gift. I saw this camel, and knew I just won. I got back to the states, and brought it to her.... She loved it. Her eyes lit up, and she couldn't stop laughing. She thought it was the greatest thing in the world. Mickey the camel became my parting gift to momma... And I'm glad that ugly camel could leave me with such a happy final memory of momma... My only regret is that I wasn't around more.

Momma was a unique person... One of those rare people put on earth to touch lives and bring happiness to all those around. She was an inspiration to what I wanted to become in life, and she was the rock that I needed in hard times. She was a mother, a lover, and a saint............. And I loved her. We all did....... And always will.

If there is a lesson to be had, remember how short life is. Momma thought she had a cold, and two days later was on life support. Never put off going see an old friend because you are too busy... Because you never know what life has in store. Always try to smile, because you never know who you could touch. Never take life too seriously, and have fun with it. And always have a good wine selection for every occasion.

God rest your soul momma. I just know you're drinking away up there, watching us right now, free of pain. Just know we love you, and always will..... And I can't wait to tell you all my travel stories when we meet again inside those beautiful gates of gold.

I love you.

James.