Monday, September 25, 2023
I absolutely LOVE Dee! Her laughter, quick smile and unending kindness permeated the corridors of Browncroft, where I was on staff in Children’s Ministries for 7 years. When my husband died suddenly (we were 48 at the time), Dee was always ready with a hug to greet me. She never shied away from talking about Jeff—she knew how soothing it is for a widow to talk about her husband. My fondest memory was after a couple years, the conversation about “dating” came up. She encouraged me, because of my age, to consider it! I asked HER about dating and she told me her kids kept telling her to go out and try to meet someone, but she leaned in and told me, “what am I supposed to do? Put out and ad ‘looking for a 50 year old man, rich and drop dead gorgeous? They’d say, “50???” And I’d say, “have you seen the men MY age?? I’m not a purse and I’m not a nurse!” I can’t tell you how many people I shared that story with! My heart hurts for all of you…my regret is that though she new I met my current husband (age 50), and I did introduce them once when he visited Browncroft, after I left employment there in 2013 and got married in 2016, I forgot to invite her to my wedding. I hope this story gives your breaking hearts a smile. Know that though your Mom may have been little in stature, she will always be mighty in my eyes.
-Deb Matrachisia
