Debra Lynn Bode

I have searched and searched to find something that would speak to your sudden disappearance. My heart is sad because it knew, ultimately, that you were now gone. I miss you. I miss our daily conversations. I miss you talking about Fletcher and sending photos. I miss you talking about your kids and most of all I miss your writing. We spent so many hours on your books that I hope someone can publish. You told your story beautifully. I will always love you, Deb.

- Grace Augustine

Angel, I thought of you today. Bear

- Bear

Those we love don't go away, They walk beside us everyday! I will miss you my dear friend! I love you always

- Tina Pranger

Deb gave me the greatest gift you can give, life. My parents never hid from me that I was adopted, I always knew and we talked about it often. Growing up my parents would always answer questions about my birth mom to the best of their knowledge. We had a piece of paper with some history on it but that was it. Things were done differently in the 80’s compared to adoptions now. As a child I often would wonder what she was doing and what she looked like. Wondered if she was musically inclined like I was, did she have black hair like I did, did she love Christmas as much as I did? You always have a curiosity about why you do this or that, why you like certain things, is it genetics or is it environmental? When I turned 18 my mom told me I had a sister too who lives with my birth mom. I was so excited! I started searching for them. It wasn’t as easy in 1999/2000 as it is today but I did my best and came up with nothing. When I was 21 I found an address in Michigan for a Deb Bode. Wrote out my letter and sent it, here goes nothing. 3 days later while I was in a night class for college I received a voicemail message from Deb. She has said that yes, I did get the correct Deb Bode and that she had thought about me everyday and at the end of the voicemail her voice cracked with emotion as she whispered ‘I love you.’ Oh my gosh! I can’t believe I found her! I seriously felt like an empty piece of me had been filled! I sped home to call her back because I wanted to concentrate on our conversation and write things down that she told me. I remember calling my parents and my best friends on the way home telling them that it was really her and that she called me! We talked for at least an hour that night. I’ll never forget it. We would talk frequently via phone or email, just getting to know each other. She was funny, I loved her stories, I loved hearing about Annika and just loved talking to her. I grew up with a brother so now having a sister was pretty cool! I flew to Michigan at age 21, I was so nervous. I had been waiting for this my whole life. Annika picked me up and I met my birth mom for the first time. I thanked her for giving me up for adoption and told her how I have an amazing family and that they are so supportive of me finding her and that I had a wonderful childhood etc. She said, “I would always pray that you were safe.” I loved meeting some of my biological family during this visit and would stay in contact with Harold via email. We stayed in touch throughout the years. I loved her random text messages and I loved when she would get so excited when a celebrity would like her tweet or tweet her back. When I had my first son I thought of Deb immediately after he was born. She did the most selfless act ever by giving me up for adoption and my love for her grew even stronger after becoming a mom myself. She told me that she could see a lot of her mom in him, that meant the WORLD to me. I never knew who I looked like but when she said my son resembled her mom I was elated. Deb, I love you and I thank you. Thank you for loving us. You will be missed more than you know. I’m sorry I won’t be able to make it to the service, but please know I’m praying for the Bode family.

- Jasmine Perkins

Bill and family, I was saddened to hear that you lost your sister and recently losing your dad. Know of my prayers for you and your entire family. May God’s Grace sustain you all as you journey the difficult and painful road of saying goodbye until you see her again in glory. Warmest regards, Justo

- Rev. Justo Gonzalez II

Bode family, my condolences to you in this difficult loss. I'll be praying for God's strength and comfort for you, and claiming the promises of Christ's resurrection with you.

- Rebecca Jordan Heys

December 27, 2017 We at Second Congregational UCC think so highly of Bill and regret this second deep loss in your family in just a few weeks. My prayers for comfort go out to all of you. Betsy Flory-McCoy

- Betsy Flory-McCoy

So sorry to hear of your loss,praying for your family through this difficult time Ken

- Ken Bird

I'm so sorry that Debra died during a period when You looked forward to a joyful family time. I can only offer the comfort that I found in the scriptures at Revelation the twenty first chapter. There I find hope that we may see Debra again in that new heavens and new earth where there won't be any more sadness or pain or death. I hope this brings you comfort as it does me. Sally

- Sally Grimes