September 23, 1976 (Letter from Debbie)

I just got your letter so I thought I'd sit down and write to you while I have a few spare minutes.  I did promise no more several month delays.

The weather here has been beautiful, for Michigan.  But I do miss Montana.  I think if I had lived my whole life there I would still miss it.  I loved Montana.  Someday, I'm dreaming again, I'll go back.

You asked "how special" my relationship is.  Well, that's hard to say.  I care for Hank an awful lot, too much for a gal who doesn't want to get "involved".  It's really a funny (strange) situation.  First of all, let me tell you about how I met him & the circumstances leading up to now.  I met him at a Parents Without Partners (PWP) Bi-Centennial carnival.  He was working on the kissing booth & I was working in the booth next to him.  He kept teasing me until I came over and bought a kiss. Wow!  Did he kiss! He was perfect for the job.  Anyway, I met him again that night at the dance. He took me out to breakfast afterwards.  We've been seeing each other since. Now comes the "cute" part.  When I met him he was living with another girl.  He had been trying to get her to leave for several weeks then.  Anyway, he gave her 2 weeks to move out.  So on her deadline she moved back home with her parents. Then one night during a PWP meeting Hank got a phone call from Marlene.  She said she got into a big fight with her parents and wanted to stay the night at his house.  He, being the kind of person he is, said ok.  Well here it is 6 weeks later and she's still there.  She told him the next day that her folks had kicked her out & it was because of him.  He told me last night he feels guilty because it was his fault she got kicked out.  So here I am in the triangle, Hank, Marlene, & me.  I don't know what to do or think.  He's a fantastic guy.  He's super with my kids, but I feel like I'm going with a married man.  I know he cares about me, but he is like you, "no commitments".  Sometimes I'd just like to say go away & leave me alone, but I can't.  I care too much.  So, I ask you, how special?  He gives me alot of good times & alot of heartache. Is that love?

I didn't mean to spend my whole time talking about Hank & me, sorry.  Well anyway let me know what you think.  Write soon & take care.

September 4, 1976 (Letter from Debbie)

Pine River in Michigan.  

Looking much the same as when Debbie was there in 1976, I'd guess.

Surprise!  Wow, how long has it been?  Much too long.  I'm ashamed of myself.  I always answer letters.  I'm getting as bad as you.

It seems like I just don't have any time anymore.  I've taken on the position of assistant chairman of family activities in Parents Without Partners.  It's quite a responsibility, and it takes all my spare time.  Anyway I enjoy every minute of it.

How are things with you?  What have you been doing with your time?  How's your job going?

The kids are both doing well.  They are about to drive their poor mother crazy!  I sure will be glad when school starts.  Jody is a totally different boy than the one in Montana.  He's even talking well now.  But Jeremy is the chatterbox.  It's hard to believe my baby is growing up so fast.  The little monster is even sassy.

Last weekend I went on a canoe trip with some friends of mine.  I've never had so much fun in my life.  We went on the Pine River which, by the way, is one of the fastest rivers in Michigan.  I had never been canoeing before and it was quite an experience.  One I know I"ll never forget.

I've met a fantastic guy.  He's older than I am but he sure is special.  He also takes up a lot of my time. Have you met anyone special, yet?

I'm planning to go on a family camping trip next weekend with P.W.P (Parents Without Partners). I'm sure it will be a lot of fun.

I can't think of much else to say, so I guess I'd better close for now.  I'm sorry I've waited so long to write.  I promise to be better next time. Write soon and take care of yourself.

Hugs & kisses.

May 1, 1976 (Letter from Debbie)

17 W. Pleasant

River Rouge, Michigan

What a pleasant surprise!  You're right I had given you up for lost.  I'd heard about what happened in Deer Lodge and that you'd left town, but nobody knew where you were.  I never expected to hear from you again.  It was a lovely surprise.

I'm glad to hear everything has turned out so well for you.  It's wonderful to hear you're so happy. Is Springfield a large city?  Somehow I just can't see you happy in a small town.

Well, my year here has been full.  I've done so much.  A lot of moving too.  My girlfriend talked me into leaving my townhouse and moving in with her.   Then I couldn't stand the total lack of privacy. I don't like to be alone all the time, but I need some time to myself.    She was worse than a mother.  She wanted to know what time I'd be home from my dates & where I was going & what I was doing.  I couldn't take it so here I am in a duplex in River Rouge.  I lived with a guy for several months, but that didn't work; and I've almost decided that men are a hopeless cause.  I've joined a club that has seriously done wonders for me.  It's Parents without Partners.  It's made me a person again.

I've met a lot of wonderful people there and have made a few real friends.  For the first time since I was married I'm a person in my own right.  I feel good about myself.

On May 10th I'm starting school.  I'm going to a secretarial school a few miles from here.  It's only for a few months, sort of a brush-up course. I secretarial job is basically a 9 to 5 job, and Jody is in school until 4 and I"ll put Jeremy in a nursery school .  I think it's just what we all need.

You wouldn't even recognize the kids.  They have done so much growing and changing.  They have done wonders for Jody.  They tell me he's not retarded.  He has brain damage and they are teaching him to use other parts of the brain to function for the damaged part.  He communicates much better now.  He's just a different little boy.  As for Jeremy, talk about communication!  I don't think there is anything he can't say.  He's smart as a whip!

I sure wish you could have come to see me. Maybe this summer.  I'd sure like to see you.  Who knows, maybe I'll get over that way someday.

Oh, by the way, where did you get my Trenton address?  I'm sure I didn't write to you after I moved. What made you think about me after all this time?  You know, I even tried to call you several months ago.  Needless to say I couldn't get a hold of you.  Don't wait so long to write next time.

After I heard about what happened in Montana I was worried about you.  NO one could tell  me what happened with the whole thing just that you were being charged.  I couldn't imagine you taking a gun into the prison.  I'm glad to hear it's all straightened out.  I'm sure it's an experience you'd just as soon forget.

Take care and stay away from prisons.  Write soon.  Hugs & Kisses.

July 26, 1975 (Letter from Debbie)

I just thought I'd write a quick note to let you know I haven't forgot about you.  I've been quite busy lately.  I just moved in my my townhouse.  It's fantastic!  For the first time in a long time I've got my own bedroom!  It's really a nice place.  The neighborhood is something else.  It seems as though the girl next door and I are the only girls here who aren't living with someone.  This group is consisted of mostly divorced women all very close to my age.  The girl next door is going with a married man!  This is some neighborhood!

So has anything exciting happened with you?  Boy, I sure do miss you.  You've got to come and see me.  Well I'm running out of space so I guess I'd better go for now.  I'll write more later.

June 14, 1975 (Letter from Debbie)

Montana June 1975

I sure was glad to hear from you.  And so prompt too.

The weather here is beautiful today, now yesterday was something else.  It rained and rained and rained.  That made me wish I was back in Montana, where it rains for 1/2 hour then the sun shines. But when it was a beautiful day today I decided to stay where I'm at.

I'm selling Avon now.  There's not much money in it, but I'll get by.  I'm going tomorrow to see if I qualify for a townhouse.  They are really nice.  They are two bedroom and fully carpeted.  Really nice. I sure hope I quality.  I need a place of my own.  My mom is great, but her house is just too small for three more people, and the kids get on her nerves pretty bad.  So I'm looking forward to my own place. I'll let you know when I move, but you can write me here until then.

If you get out this way you better come and see me.  If I get my townhouse I'll have plenty of room for you to stay with me for awhile.  You will, won't you?

What's new in Montana?  Deer Lodge no less!  Anything exciting  happening?  I home so, for your sake anyway.

I've joined a Parents without Partners Club.  It's really a nice idea.  They meet twice a month and have a discussion time and then a dance.  I've met a few really nice guys, and I've had a great time.  I sure wish you were here, though.

Do you ever see Mickey?  She never gave me my cake decorating set back.  I just wanted to make sure she didn't move.

Jody starts speech theropy in July.  (As I'm sure you've noticed my spelling is terrible.)  Anyway, I'm sure looking forward to his going.  It'll do us both good.

Well I guess I'd better quit boring you.  Write soon.  Be good and don't do anything I wouldn't, ok??!

May 12, 1975 (Letter from Debbie)

Just a short note to say I'm thinking about you.  Thanks for being there when I needed someone.

Not too much has happened since I got here.  Joe followed me out here.  So all my hopes of getting away from all the hassles just went up in smoke.  I wish you were here.  You make me feel so good.  Thanks for you going to church with me.  You made such a nice evening for me.

Boy the weather here is beautiful.  It's in the 70's.  Yesterday it was 78.   You can keep the old now.

I've got to go for now.  I'll write more later.  Please write.  My address is Debbie DeLozier - 9040 Williams - Taylor, Michigan 48180.  Sometime when you feel rich, give m a call.  My number is 313-292-9249.

Be good and stay out of trouble.  Write soon.  Brighten my day!   You know send me a little of sunshine from your smile.

April 14, 1975 (Letter from Debbie)

I'm sure you'll find this quite childish, but I can't talk well to people.  I can't ever say what's on my mind.  I think you are an honest person, but can you be totally honest.  I mean to the point of where what you say may hurt someone's feelings or pride?  I hope so, because that's what I need, total honesty.  I want you to know what you think of me.  What do you see when you look at me, I mean inside me; not my looks.  How would you describe me as a person?  I'm not looking for "brownie points" just plain old-fashioned honesty.  Sometimes I feel like people don't like "me", like maybe they feel sorry for me, or they are doing their "good deed" by being nice to me.  This may sound stupid to someone as well adjusted as you are, but I want to know what people really think of me.

If you aren't busy tonight why don't you come for a walk with me, then maybe we can talk.

Oh, I want to thank you again for just being there last night. I'm sorry I was such a boob.