Posted by Kenneth DeGraff (24.17.219.14) on May 17, 2000 at 22:24:57:
I've never cried over the Internet before. I never had a reason. Debbie's passing is a sad event in my life, not only because we shared a man in common, but because she was able to touch my life. Her emails to me (we never met in person) were truly beautiful.
When I was undergoing heart surgery last March, it was Debbie who consoled me, told me that everything was going to be all right. She, herself, admits the pain I was going through, not necessarily physically, but mentally, as she told me she was probably the world's worst patient. I never believed that. She also told me she was the world's greatest nurse. That, I do believe.
She had a knack for writing poems. She wrote one for my birthday, and I think that it's appropriate that I share it with you.
Here's to The Beatles
And here's to Paul
Here's to the guy
With the birthdays of us all
Now that your special day is here
Hope its filled with Macca madness
And a dose of Beatles cheer
But perhaps, more importantly to my life, on December 20, 1998 I announced
someone birthday on the list; I mentioned that this particular person shared a
birthday with my mother. The next morning I awoke to find a poem she had
written for her, in honor of my mom's birthday. A woman she had never met,
never talked to, never even corresponded with.
I remember showing my mom that poem. She smiled and hugged me. As
we separated from our embrace, I think remember her crying, amazed, I guess
because someone could be so nice to her.
That's the Debbie Scharnott that I will try to remember. I searched
through all my saved e-mails to/from/about her, and I came across some
treasures.
From: DJMEOWS5@aol.com
Hi Kenneth,
The auction items arrived today, safe and sound. My spouse is
as happy as I am to get " The Ballad of The Skeletons" cd and I really
enjoyed the " Paul is Live "video. My Dads first name was Kenneth, he died 12
years ago and we were close. He liked some of the Beatles music especially
"Eleanor Rigby", and I have an affinity for that name. Thanks for everything!
All the Best !!! Debbie
She sent along many thanks and suggestions about
my website. It's now that I wish I could have better responded to
her. My short responses were nothing compared to what she told me. I
wish I had the chance to tell her now that I appreciate all that she did for my
spirits when I needed a lift, for my mom on her birthday, and for the Macca-L
community as a whole.
Jim, I'm thinking about you and your family now.
But Debbie, I will miss you.