Dejuana and I were neighbors for many, many years — on and off for nearly 30. I lived across the street from her mom, Trudy, from the time I was 17, and those years will always mean so much to me.
Trudy’s front porch — were where so much of life happened. Some of my favorite memories are of sitting out there talking, laughing, and just sharing life, and hollering back and forth across the street. Our daughters grew up together, playing at each others house, and even started kindergarten together. We were part of each other’s everyday lives in a way that’s hard to put into words.
Dejuana and I had a quiet friendship, not the typical kind. Even after we both moved, whenever we talked or saw each other, it felt like no time had passed. She was always there when it mattered. She checked on me, showed up in the ways that counted, and loved my family like her own. I loved her and her girls the same way.
I will always cherish those years, those front porch conversations, and the friendship we shared. To her daughters, Trudy, and her sisters — please know how deeply she was loved, and how much I love all of you, always.