Following is an excerpt from a writing by Debbie on 2/19/08:
My story is pretty typical, the kind of story you hear told and retold in recovery. The faces change, the cities change, and some of the gritty details change, but the feelings are all the same. The results are all the same; an agonizing, soul destroying, suicidal descent into desperate nothingness. The only thing that makes this story special is that it is mine......
It took the brutal honesty of the women in my group to inspire me. It has taken their vulnerability and their love to help me feel again. It has taken their encouragement to give me hope again.
I have been sober for 4 ½ months. It is nothing short of a miracle. It has been difficult, incredibly difficult, but then again so has the rest of it. I have such a long way to go, and I have no doubt that I am my own worst enemy. But I have glimpsed another way, and I long to see more. I have felt genuine happiness, and I want to feel more. I have come this far, and I want more.
In memory of Debra Lynn Bonilla (7/18/69-4/19/08).
Debbie
Memorial Fund
Please send donations to:
M&I Bank
Attn: The Vince & Isabella Education Fund
651 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN 55402
Donations will be used for the educational expenses of all five of Debbie's children.
M&I Bank
Attn: The Vince & Isabella Education Fund
651 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN 55402
Donations will be used for the educational expenses of all five of Debbie's children.
Children
- Brandon, age 18
- Emily, age 14
- Olivia, age 11
- Vince, age 5
- Isabella, age 4
Obituary
Obituary for Debra Lynn Bonilla
Debra (Debbie) Lynn Bonilla of Seattle, born July 18, 1969, died Saturday, April 19, 2008. Debbie was born in Seattle and returned in 2006. She died suddenly and shockingly, murdered by her husband during a dispute.
Debbie was the mother of five children: Brandon Ginsburg (18), Emily Ginsburg (14), Olivia Ginsburg (11), Vince Bonilla (5) and Isabella Bonilla (4). She was an early childhood and special needs teacher who lived a tumultuous life in recent years, enduring alcoholism and domestic abuse.
Despite her difficulties, Debbie was a loving mother, sister, friend and daughter. Her death is a tragedy to all who loved her. There’s no nice way to say how much it hurts that she is gone and that she died so horribly. It’s awful. We will miss her and will do our best to raise and support her children as they face life without their mother.
Debbie had two sisters, one brother, and three step-sisters, along with her mother & step-father (Del & Kathy Hurt, Mpls), and father. While we (her family) experienced incidents of sadness and dread in relation to Debbie, we also have happy memories of Debbie’s infectious laughter and wry look at life. She pushed ahead, giving her children love and support, despite the sometimes desperate circumstances.
The loss we feel is overwhelming.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Vince & Isabella Education Fund at M&I Bank, c/o Chad Ransom, 651 Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55402. For more information on Debbie or to post your comments, go to werememberdebbie.blogspot.com.
Debra (Debbie) Lynn Bonilla of Seattle, born July 18, 1969, died Saturday, April 19, 2008. Debbie was born in Seattle and returned in 2006. She died suddenly and shockingly, murdered by her husband during a dispute.
Debbie was the mother of five children: Brandon Ginsburg (18), Emily Ginsburg (14), Olivia Ginsburg (11), Vince Bonilla (5) and Isabella Bonilla (4). She was an early childhood and special needs teacher who lived a tumultuous life in recent years, enduring alcoholism and domestic abuse.
Despite her difficulties, Debbie was a loving mother, sister, friend and daughter. Her death is a tragedy to all who loved her. There’s no nice way to say how much it hurts that she is gone and that she died so horribly. It’s awful. We will miss her and will do our best to raise and support her children as they face life without their mother.
Debbie had two sisters, one brother, and three step-sisters, along with her mother & step-father (Del & Kathy Hurt, Mpls), and father. While we (her family) experienced incidents of sadness and dread in relation to Debbie, we also have happy memories of Debbie’s infectious laughter and wry look at life. She pushed ahead, giving her children love and support, despite the sometimes desperate circumstances.
The loss we feel is overwhelming.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Vince & Isabella Education Fund at M&I Bank, c/o Chad Ransom, 651 Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55402. For more information on Debbie or to post your comments, go to werememberdebbie.blogspot.com.
3 comments:
Life's purpose, helping each other with unconditional love, was the gift that was given to Debbie -- and in turn that Debbie was giving away. Not many discover the unvarnished truth and can look on the beauty. And in the discovery, Debbie shines and brings light to us all.
That's so beautiful, Michelle, and also heartbreaking. Thank you for posting it. I am so glad that Debbie was seeing those glimmers of wanting and being "more" in these recent months.
Sending you and Jon and all your sweet children my love. Cheryl
Dear Debbie,
We only met a few times, and that was long ago as children.
I have come to know you in recent years through your family.
More then anything, it is your words that have touched me. No, it’s more then that - they inspire me. I hope to help other women... brave women like you, who have worked so hard, or are working hard to be free.
Tomorrow is my first day volunteering at a local safe house here in Missouri.
I pray your story is not typical.
I can promise it will not be forgotten.
I will carry it with me always remembering your struggle.
May your spirit finally sore freely.
Peace, Karen
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