Debbie Lanier's Life and Times: Volume 21: OOPS!

I looked back through my 2023 posts and realized I forgot #21. 

One thing my mom liked was any written communication to be short and sweet. She would probably say "Andrew I know you're doing what you can to cope with the loss. Do you have to write so much though?"  

That was Mom! For her, I'll keep this one short.  Happy New Year!

Debbie Lanier's Life and Times: Vol 24: Hickory Grove

In this final installment of 2023 about my mom, I think of course about things and places she loved. She really loved living as a young girl and going to  Hickory Grove, SC. Hickory Grove is a small community between Blacksburg and York. They had 3 schools back in the 50s, including a high school.  

My mom was heavily involved in Girl Scouts and other activities while attending those schools. She had decent grades also. However once her parents moved the family over the county line to Kings Creek, she was forced to attend Blacksburg schools and never liked that. 

I ran into one of her high school classmates as this year was that class's 50th reunion and they remembered my mom. It made me think of the awesome times she had going to Hickory Grove schools and how her life may had been different had she not moved. 

I'm glad she didn't uproot us like that and even gave us an option later on regarding attending a different school. 

Debbie Lanier's Life and Times: Vol 23: The 70s

If you knew my mom well, you knew she loved and had her best times in the decade called the 70s. 

Debbie loved That 70s Show but called what they did on the show "preppy rich people show." She did mention how bananas the masses went over Jaws, Star Wars, Roots and the bicentennial. Mom would also talk about where her and her circle hung out. These spots included the drive in theater, Howard Johnson, Cagie's Bar, and my aunt Ellen Jean's house. 

She met my dad during this decade and yours truly was born so that was a joy. She was in her 20s then and enjoyed her first adult job, cars, and freedom. She saw Rocky and Saturday Night Fever on the big screen. Her and her friends listened to 8 track cassettes where you needed a matchbook for them to work properly. Mom collected Tiger Beat and other teen magazines with David Cassidy on the cover. 

I know what it's like to be young and carefree.  The 90s/early 2000s were that time for me. Mom loved the 70s for those reasons and how everyone seemed to come together and enjoy each other's company more. I already know her part of Heaven includes the 70s. 

Debbie Lanier's Life and Times: Vol. 22: Home

Debbie Lanier and Kenny Lanier were alike in a lot of ways for siblings to only be two years apart. Uncle Kenny was always more of the socialite, always having to be on the scene. Debbie, my mom, was on the reserved side and preferred to be at home. This continued as she grew older, had children and then couldn't get around very well. 

Mom loved the comfort of her home and later her room. Growing up that wasn't easy having a mom that didn't go many places. My brother and I longed for a stepdaddy and would beg and ask her to go out on dates or out with friends. On weekends, summers and off days, she wanted to be home with us, and friends and family that liked coming over. For years she didn't go to family gatherings or even out to eat for Mother's Day or her birthday.  I was telling someone just yesterday when my mom turned 60 and 65 she didn't want a party or a big deal made of it. I simply took her to her to her favorite restaurants and bought her some of her favorite things. 

Debbie was a very simple, minimalist woman. I think that's why she worked so hard for decades on making her house a home. She wanted herself and others to feel welcomed. She wasn't the type to be out for too long, even going to the grocery store or to doctor's appointments. 

There are several memes out of course regarding introverts changing plans, not being mad about canceled plans, nor not going if it involved complicated parking. All 3 of these and more were my mom. She also didn't drive very far and never in a city larger than Spartanburg or Rock Hill. 

My mom would often say when referring to going to a special place "if Jesus isn't there I'm not going". Ironically that's where she is now and for eternity.