August 2018

I remember when I was about 12 my big sister Debbie came to visit us in Saudi Arabia. Words could not express how much I looked up to her. She was perfect in every way: beautiful, funny, kind – my role model. We also shared a love for literature.

At the time I was a budding novelist, and wrote a few pages after school. One night I asked Debbie if she could read it, because I completely adored her and valued her opinion. I remember her reading it and smiling and laughing, her eyes glued to the pages. After about 20 minutes of solid reading she turns to me, hands me the book and says: “You are so talented. You have a gift with words.”

Here I am, 16 years later, working as a journalist – using words everyday like my big sis encouraged me to. I hope Debbie knew how much she influenced my life – how one moment of kindness could shape an entire future. That was Debbie’s gift to me. And I will never ever forget it.

Love you sis.
Andoy x

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Debbie always had an affinity towards Arabian culture, so when I found out she was coming to visit us in Saudi I couldnt wait to show her around!! I was so excited to have my cool big sis with me. Dad drove me, Debbie and Andrew off track to the middle of some sand dunes. We kicked off our shoes, climbed to the top and overlooked the desert. Debbie said she felt like the “princess of arabia”. We thought it would be hilarious to sledge down the hill “Saudi style”. We got on our bellies, head first and bodyboarded all the way down. Everyone laughed hysterically and it took us days to get the sand out of our hair (and mouths).
I miss you so much sis, my princess of arabia xxx

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Debbie

You were my first friend

In Germany

Took me in,

Sheltered me

Under your infinite

Wing.

Michael Jackson

And Heavy Metal,

Deep brown eyes

So kind.

You were the quietist

And the coolest too.

You loved the movie

Dirty Dancing

Even though the soundtrack

Made you cry

Over some boy

Who’d hurt you

With his ‘Hungry Eyes’.

Laughing and changing the lyrics

To ‘Dirty Diana’ just for kicks,

So innocent then.

If only we could crystallise the

Way back when.

But we can’t.

Life happens and

It hurts sometimes but

Like you said yourself

In your poetry

“All we need is love”.

So true.

These words bring me

Comfort,

When I think of you.

I will thank you

For that reminder

When we meet again.

X

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Debbie and I were best friends in primary school. I remember spending time in her bedroom singing and and acting out plays and movies. One of Debbie’s favourites was the Wizard of Oz, she went on to play the part of Dorothy in the school play at Braybrook Primary School and was amazing.
Debbie and I used to love roller skating together so I have posted a picture of us two together in my back garden. I remember being annoyed at my mum and dad because I wanted cool roller boots like Debbie’s. I remember Debbie telling me it doesn’t matter my skates were cool anyway. She always had a way of making people feel good. Debbie moved away while we were still in primary school but we wrote to each other all the time until we sadly lost touch. Although i didnt know alot about Debbie in teenage years and adulthood we did eventually reconnect a few years ago however the memories of Debbie I hold true in my heart are the ones when we were at primary school together. They were very special times she was my first ever best friend and they are the ones you will always remember. Xxxxx

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