Fill The World With Positivity
Today I’m visiting one of my lifelong friends. Jane has MS and lives in a group home, close to her oldest daughter and is wheelchair bound now. The drive is about three hours and I usually meet up with a couple of my classmates for the visit. Last year when Jane was unable to attend our high school reunion, we brought it to her with posters and notes and photos. Despite the seemingly unfair circumstances of her life, Jane has always maintained a positive attitude with her quick wit and winning smile. Life sometimes throws us a curve ball, doesn’t it? It not fair that Jane should have this disease and yet her amazing attitude is an encouragement to all who know her. A positive attitude, not matter what. I want to be more like my friend Jane.
July 6th, 2017 at 2:33 am
I suffer with MS. I think that it is lovely that you take that to go to your friend. I have lost contact with quite a few friends due to this nasty disease.
July 6th, 2017 at 5:46 am
I always believed that we need to see the good side of every situation, no matter how bad or sad the situation could be. We need to learn to see our life through a rose colored glass. Be more positive and perhaps more content with our self. Things always happen for a reason. No doubt about it.
I recently start reading your books and already in love with your writing. I might be your newest fan, watched Cedar Cove Series, in a marathon this past holiday weekend, very disappointed that ended, so I decided to read the books and so far for sure enjoying it more than the series, thank you.
PS. So far have just read book # 1 of Cedar Cove Series, wing for the second one, but in the mean time I am reading the Alaska Series book # 1 , loving it.
July 7th, 2017 at 4:57 pm
You are such an inspiration! So I moved to Moses Lake from the Tacoma area and I want to fit into the community. I am your age but still working full time. What advice can you give others living in a rural area?
I love your books,keep them coming!!
July 7th, 2017 at 7:08 pm
Debbie what I love most about you no matter how famous you have become you never forget your old friends . You r a very special person
July 8th, 2017 at 6:41 am
Dear Debbie,
I have a 43 yr old daughter who is mentally retarded, has CP and has recently gone almost completely blind due to Rentinitis Pigmentosis. This young lady is always smiling, always happy. Everyone is her friend. She has taught me more about love and living and taking risks then anyone ever could.
She recently moved into a group home with 4 other ladies. She calls me every night… to check on ME!
Some may think this was a burden all these years, but they are so wrong. She has been the best blessing I could ever ask for in my life. My other 2 children and husband will tell you the same.
I love your books. We have been to your knitting shop and the tea room but missed you by just a few minutes. I do hope to meet you someday. Thank you for the hours of entertainment and “new friends” you have given me over the many years.
God bless you and your family.
Hugs
Sandi
July 8th, 2017 at 10:45 pm
Debbie, thank you for being such an inspiration for all of us, my husband has Ahlzheimer’s and I just live with your books and your notes and your surprise box that you made at Christmas time and have your saying BE THE SPARK, with all my special books it just puts me in a special fantasy world and makes me feel relaxed = God bless you for all that you do for your readers – you have truly gifted us
July 9th, 2017 at 12:54 pm
What a beautiful thing to do for your classmate. I’m sure this does brighten Jane’s day and I sure it does for many days after. I am so glad my sister-in-law accidentally left your book at my house years ago, it started my adventures with a new friend that has bright me many happy hours. You are a blessing to everyone and I know your Christian faith shines for everyone. Prayers for you and Jane.
July 12th, 2017 at 6:25 pm
HI!
I had a friend Julia who died of lou gehrig’s disease. Like your friend she had the most positive outlook on it all. When I’d come to visit her and bring a meal or something special she liked. I would need to feed it to her. I remember the first time I fed her how she laughed and joke and said. “I bet you never thought the day would come you’d be doing this for me.” She was an amazing pianist and had given two of my children piano lessons. We had written music together and to see her in a wheel chair and not be able to play the piano anymore was hard. But before she had reach that level she had recorded most of the songs she had written and some of her arrangements of her favorite composers. One of those spoke at her funeral.
Her husband had CD’s produced and gave them out to all of those who attended her funeral and mailed them to those who loved and cared for her but could not attend. When I miss her I can put on the CD and enjoy the blessing of hearing her amazing talent being shared once more in my life because the foresight of her and her husband.
Thanks, for sharing this. It took me back to precious memories of my friend and the amazing, caring, humble person that she was and how blessed I was to have shared her friendship.
July 12th, 2017 at 8:31 pm
Hi, I was dx with MS in 2008. I am currently using a walker. I love your books and read
them all the time. I am usually home bound in the summers. But, I continue to teach during
the school year. I love teaching. I am a sped teacher and due to my disability I can no longer
teach the young children. I am teaching the HS children and I still feel blessed. I use a walker
and am constantly working on my flexibility. It is hard.
And I enjoy reading your books. Thank you.
Lisa
July 13th, 2017 at 10:24 pm
Thank you so much for filling our world with positivity! You are a bright light who brings such joy and happiness through your characters and books to my life. My sister recently surprised me with a detour (on the way to her summer home on the beach) to your delightful tea room/restaurant/gift shop. I honestly was so touched by her gesture and thoughtful, unexpected surprise. Yes, it brought tears to my eyes! This outing had been something on my “bucket list” for a very long time! Our lunch was absolutely delicious, the outdoor setting so pretty, and our server so friendly and delightful! We loved perusing the gift shop…it was filled with precious items that seemed as though they were hand picked by YOU! I purchased a beautiful, embellished cross as a keepsake of our day. I will always treasure spending time at The Grey House.
July 15th, 2017 at 2:50 am
Debbie – what an uplifting message. I was finally diagnosed in 1992 with MS. It is something that I have; it’s not who I am. An optimistic attitude is important. I found a few years ago when I was wheelchair bound most of the time that a course of ACTH (Acthar) cut an exacerbation off. After that, my neurologist was able to start me on Gilenya, one of the newer medications (a capsule) and it has been a great blessing. Now, we no longer carry the wheelchair in our car when we go out and I only use it if I’m going to be walking extremely long distances. (I have gotten up to 1 mile+). I hope your friend appreciates your contact. When one has lost independence it can be discouraging. Thank you for being you and for your delightful books. I’ve enjoyed every one I have read and have shared them with others as well. God Bless. Vicky Manning
July 15th, 2017 at 6:09 pm
Debbie, I have enjoyed all of your work that I have experienced. Thank you for this post, which “hits a nerve” (lol) for me because I have a neurological disability similar to MS. Debbie, I am commenting today with the hope that you will be inspired to include an older female character with a similar disability in some of your future writing. Perhaps Jane would even be able to consult to make a character and situations realistic?
July 15th, 2017 at 6:42 pm
I, too have MS and have become a true believer of Zig Zigler’s quote: “Your attitude not your aptitude will determine your altitude”. Your friend, Jane is an amazing example of overcoming adversity and still maintaining a great attitude. People like Jane are a pleasure to be around. God bless her and you for not giving up on your friendship. All too many people back out on relationshiips with friends when they are diagnosed with MS. Thank you for being special.