For each of you who have been with me on this journey regarding prayers for Debbi Tepper…let me update you. It has been an incredible journey, a journey that is life changing, a journey that has forever changed the landscape of Debbi’s family and our neighborhood and local community forever.
We lost our dear Debbi to this earth on Thursday, May 29, 2008. This disease which took over her body, eventually began attacking her central nervous system, until the point where there wasn’t any more brain functioning. A few days before Debbi died I became very bold and prayed with her and asked God for a miracle. (Something I rarely do because I take miracles very seriously). In my earthly mind I fully expected that miracle to be Debbi awakening and coming back to us on this earth. It was not.
Let me share with you what miracles we have experienced. First we, myself and several members of her family witnessed Debbi cry a tear or two several times when it was physically impossible for her body to do that. These tears occurred on several occasions…once when I was praying with her…once when the chaplain was praying, and once when the priest came into pray. Then when Debbi’s sister Sherri arrived from Arizona, and her son Brandon was in the room with myself and a few other family members, Debbi’s right eye opened just a glimmer as we were talking with her. Her son Brandon as well as myself noticed. I have always believed that there is awareness even when a person’s body is fully locked into a coma, and I have always believed in an afterlife. Now I have witnessed complete affirmation of that. When I asked the doctor how can this happen, she said there are no physical explanations, for what we experienced. That lies in the faith realm.
Now as for another manifestation of a miracle in process…We had a meeting at our home last eve, for Debbi Tepper and her family. This meeting was planned while we had great hopes of physical recovery, however that did not happen. I felt strongly that even though Debbi had passed, we still needed to have this meeting. I knew personally of great needs facing this family… A family of innocence and gold, George, Jamie, Brandon and Zach, (whom I consider family). I knew that we needed to pull together in a huge community effort to meet these needs. Our goals for this meeting were and are massive. Now it became our vision to meet their funeral and medical expenses, debts, and save their home. It also was our vision to assist this family in meeting their immediate needs in terms of food, transportation, lawn and gardening, housekeeping, cooked meals, and insurance needs. And lastly it is our vision to help George find a kidney. I am believing God will meet these needs, and nothing is impossible for Him.
Last night, about 50 or more people gathered in our home and we boldly proclaimed the mission which lies in store. From this meeting we have composed a team of neighbors and friends to fully engage in meeting their short term needs through the summer. We have found avenues which will cover funeral expenses completely, we are looking into ways to reduce or fully eliminate George’s medical prescriptions, we are looking into ways to absolve them of their future medical bills and past debts. And we are looking into avenues to fully have their house paid off, so they do not have these tremendous financial burdens. We developed a website and a fund for the family’s needs. The website is www.debbitepper.com And we have begun a massive fund raising effort in our local community, which will occur in our neighborhood, our school district and local Grayslake businesses, and churches. Friends we are on a journey and we are not giving up.
When I had this inspiration I had no idea it would become this large, I had no idea that God would use Kevin and myself in this manner, and I had no idea it would take the path of grief. And I knew as I was heading up this campaign I was, and am way out of my comfort zone. But this is not about myself or Kevin. This is about how God’s glory will be shown through the life and death of Debbi Tepper, and how 50 or so people can pull together to assist in making life-altering changes in a family’s life.
This journey is not over…it is just beginning…I fully expect that this will become a nationwide effort. May the spirit of Debbi Tepper remain in our hearts and lives forever. May she who loved rainbows be our rainbow in the sky. And may God himself and she smile upon this journey.
In the midst of deep deep grief for my dear friend Debbi and her family, I grant you peace.
“Peace I give to you, peace not of this world”
Lori Koons
Posted on May 31st, 2008 by admin
Filed under: Reflections
I have known Debbi since the summer of 1985 when I worked at Pro-Graphics. She was forever cheerful, and always had a smile for me. In the Fall, I headed off to college at the University of Cincinnati - but made sure to stop in when I returned home to Skokie. Debbi always got a kick out of my stories, and encouraged me to keep on adventuring!
I’m sure I am not the first to recognize how Debbi’s beautiful qualities - inside and out - have moved gracefully to her daughter Jamie, as she grew from a tiny toddler into a poised young woman. Debbi’s son Brandon, a cute, active boy, was lauded with love and attention by them both. Though Jamie is his sister, she learned how to be a little “mom” to him as well. Jamie will, no doubt, one day, offer her own children the type of love and guidance that she received for these precious years from her own mother - Debbi.
Though I didn’t often see Debbi these past few years, I’ll miss her nonetheless. I am pleased and gratified to know that her spirit lives on through her children.
With Love,
Reed
Chris knew Debbi for many years and he would like to express his memories of her as pleasant ones, especially how she helped care for young children, as if they were her own. He loved Debbie so much and is deeply saddened over her death.
IKathy would like to say to Jamie, that we are all so proud of you and your writings of your Dear Mother’s Memorial Speech that you gave this evening. We truly felt that your Mother, Debbi, could hear every word and was smiling down at you from Heaven.
We were touched when Brandon kissed you. Everyone had kind words for your Mother, and we were glad to know her.
We pray that you are well taken care of from this day forward, and if you need to talk, or want us to stop over, we are all here for you.
Love, God Bless, Kathy & Chris Cieplinski & Scherrer Family