Happy Birthday, Debbie! from Cheryl Deas

Debbie, my dear old friend, here's hoping that you have a wonderful 50th birthday! It's hard to believe that we are at the mid century point in our lives. I hope that this moment finds you in good spirits and health. Since, you graduated from high school a year before me, I was thinking that you were a year older than me. But, come August, I'll join the '50' crowd, too. Ellen had her 50th birthday last month, I toasted her big day with a chocolate milkshake and hope to do so tonight in honor of you.

I can't think of my carefree high school days without thinking of you. Every once in a blue moon, I'll see a Carmin Gia and it reminds me of the little red car that you drove. Do you remember the time that you were low on gas and stopped at a station with only pocket change and bought gas. I think that you had only 50 or 75 cents to spend and it was enough to get us back on the road. I have told my boys about your car and the bumper sticker that said, "Don't honk!, I'm pedaling as fast as I can!"

Last fall, I went to visit with my folks and wanted to see if I could find your old house. I drove right to it, parked on the side of the street and took a picture. It didn't look as good as it did when your family lived there but Gulfport has been struggling for a while now. Happy Birthdday!

Your friend,

Cheryl