Deni
There are so many stories of Deni I am not sure where to start. I think what I miss the most about Deni are her smile, her giving me and her friends a hard time just because, her willingness to go on an adventure anytime and her constant support as my best friend no matter how I messed up.
Deni always saw what were obvious obsticals to her when others were focusing on everything else. One adventure we took was hunting for a live Christmas tree. We were driving the blue Pinto around Southern Illinois and found signs for a Christmas tree farm between Herrin and Johnston City and I was doing the driving. We headed up a long long long gravel road and Deni suggested we just turn around and go to where we'd been before but no, I wanted to try a new place. All of the sudden the pinto was stuck up in the air on this enormous boulder. Deni couldn't believe it. After hearing "Damit Diane" a couple of times she asked what I was thinking and how did I not see that boulder in my path. I told her I was so busy concentrating on the obvious pot holes that I didn't see the boulder. Of course the muffler was drug off the car so Deni put it in the back seat and we drove home trying not to accelerate when we were around police to not get a ticket. Deni laughed and laughed and gave me such grief for years.
Every trip to anywhere, even work, was an adventure with Deni and the best part was the laughter that always followed. I miss her smile and her giving me grief so much. I'm not sure my heart will ever heal but I know I am a better person for having her in my life for so many years.