I'd like to start my tribute to Debby with a foray into one of the finest of the literary forms--the acrostic.
Dear
Evanscent
Boisterous
Open-hearted
Resourceful
Adventurous
Hip
Altruistic
(just a ) Kid
Affectionate
Driven/disciplined
Exhilerated (and exhilerating)
Brainy
Bookish
Yearning
Tender-hearted
Open-minded
Unaffected
Conscientious
Happy
Sassy
Thoughtful
Obedient
Nimble
Entertaining
Pure
Empathetic
True
Talented
Inventive
Trust-worthy
Yes, it took me an hour to find all those words in various thesauruses. But that's one of the points of my Debby Dedication: she inspires an hour's worth of word-searching, not only because it would take that long to find a word that she doesn't already know (and already know how to spell), but because she inspires that kind of love and loyalty from her friends and everyone she knows (which are basically the same groups).
I first met Debby over 10 years ago, and at that time she impressed me with her intelligence and her eminent sense of perspective and balance. I didn't get to know her really, though, until about 4 years ago (3?) when we found ourselves attending the same institute class and basking in the same friendship of the inimitable Norah Ellis Wasden. And Debby has proven to be a wonderful, true friend. She is unfailingly supportive, unfailingly loving, unfailingly there. She loves her family and her friends without dissembling. She mourns when we mourn and she rejoices when we rejoice. She goes about her work competently, cheerfully, and unobtrusively. Uncomplainingly as well, which is more than I can say for myself (our conversations would be a lot longer if she complained as much as I do). Her laughter and smiles come readily, and her tears come readily too. The distance between her head and her heart is almost nonexistent--hearing of someone's sorrows elicits immediate emotion.
But there is something else that I love about Debby--something else that I value about her because I don't get it in very many other places. Debby is a truth-see-er. Whenever I am with her, I feel that she sees me truly. She sees me for who I am, she sees me for what I'm trying, she sees me for what I desire, she sees me for what I struggle with. She sees all of these things--it would be futile to try to conceal them--and she loves and believes in me--and, I would imagine, all of us\n too--unquestioningly. I don't think I could ever tell Debby a lie, not only because she would see right through it, but also because it would violate the truthfulness with which she sees and loves.
I could go on writing about Debby, and I would like to, also, except that I have a class of students hard upon my heels, and if I were to do as Debby would, I would have already put the classroom in beautiful order and I would be laughing over some little joke that I shared with my students. So Debby, on International Debby Appreciation Week, I am going to do what you would do--which is competently, creatively, happily, kindly go about my work. I love you!
Love,
Naomi
