Hero #3

I took a break from my heros not by choice, but due to family camp and then family illness. I want to finish up with just a couple more if you will indulge me.

Hero number three....Deb Sigworth.

I can't really remember when it happened that Deb and I became friends. I knew of Deb by reputation and association much longer than we have been friends I know. I think that my knowing her was really due to Mark knowing Gene and my knowing Bob and Suzanne Varadman. But however it happened that we became friends, all I can say is "thank you Lord for letting us meet!"

I have known two Deb's: Deb with Gene and Deb after Gene's death. I have loved both. Deb and Gene were the couple I can only dream that Mark and I will be one day. They complemented each other perfectly. Gene was the outgoing one and Deb more reserved. Both fun loving and able to bring joy to any occasion. The Deb with Gene was strong and confident, yet always submissive to the leading of her husband. That was a huge thing for me since it is an area where I struggle. I watched her closely for a long time noticing how she was her own person and yet a half to their whole as a couple. Gene led and Deb followed so gracefully.

Mark and I spent many hours around camp fires soaking in the wisdom of Gene and Deb. We learned to relax and do nothing more than watch a light change on top of a cell tower. They shared so much with us in so many areas that I can't even begin to list them all but of the top ones were encouragement, prayer, commitment.

Then Gene got sick and as their world changed so did ours. I saw Deb at those moments of total loss. I watched her in the hospital as we waited for results and sat through surgeries. Those were times when I asked God, if Deb is struggling this much how would I ever do it? She is so much stronger than me. And over the course of 18 months I watched the rolls change.

Gene was Deb protector but through his illness Deb stepped up into the roll of Gene's protector. She took the lead as needed and lead her family in the day to day. She was always honest about the struggles, but always, ALWAYS honest about how faithful God was to them every day.

Since Gene's death it has been hard at times to make my way down to the camp fire. The empty chair is just to painful for me. And yet, there is Deb (the fire queen) opening the circle of chairs for us all. There is Deb still camping, still laughing, still moving forward with her ever faithful Father.

This summer Deb decided that she needed some new steps for her camper. So she built them. In the course of watching her build I told her one day in a half hearted way that she was my hero. And ya know, she really is. She has learned to do what has to be done and to walk on in life. She is still teaching me about camping-I can even put the camper awning up and down on my own now!-about living, about loving, about loss and mostly about God.

This amazing woman has continued, without missing a step, to be my friend and mentor just as before. She has come out of the fire of this trauma a beautiful diamond. Stonger, more polished and valuable beyond human price.

I love you Deb! You really are my hero.