it’s a sister thing… Real
Feelings Revealed
by Denise Schultz, April 18, 2007
On June 26, 2005 my life was changed forever when my sister Deb left
this world. Three days later, on June 29 my life was impacted further
yet when a ‘stranger’ by the name of Gretch Hill walked into my life.
(With a hug, fresh bakery, a cold drink and a
scrapbook, no less.)
The multiple levels of irony are far beyond words or basic human
understanding, but bring to mind a favorite cliché –
“The Lord works in mysterious ways…”
Call it ‘divine intervention’, or call it ‘fate’. But one thing I know
is like so many other things in this world – it was no coincidence. In
fact, I no longer believe in coincidence.
These two beautiful, blonde, brilliant, creative, dynamic, amazing women
have more in common than either will ever know. The fact that they’ve
shared the same living space at different times is a bit mind boggling.
The fact that they’ve shared the love of the same man is even a bit
awkward. But the fact that the hole in my heart has begun to fill with
the friendship of this and other new “sisters” is truly a gift…
it’s a sister thing…
This simple statement carries so much meaning for so many women. The
story of how Denise Schultz and Gretch Hill met will one day be
forgotten by many, but the concept of the sisterhood of women is
timeless. And so is ‘a sister thing...’
Please join women from throughout Wisconsin, Illinois and beyond for the
Ultimate Girls Getaway Weekend May 18-20, 2007
in Fontana, Wisconsin on Geneva Lake’s west shore when we combine our
teams for a ‘Lakeside Celebration of Sisterhood’.
On Friday, May 17 Gretch Hill’s group will kick off their two-day
workshop entitled Image 101 – From the Inside Out at Fontana’s Heritage
House. In a comfortable home-like environment, women will experience
four interactive modules including Clothing
Personality Style, Skin Care Analysis, Put Your Best Face Forward, and
Body Typing – Figure Your Frame. Pampering spa services are
incorporated into each program and on-site personal shopping completes
the makeover process. “We help women develop the image they’ve always
wanted, and know is inside,” says Gretch. “We build the woman who can go
out and achieve her dreams.” (Space is
limited and advance registration/payment is required. Contact
Gretch at 262-949-4358 for details.)
Workshop attendees and others will gather at The Abbey Resort’s
Waterfront on Saturday evening, May 19 for a casual celebration of
‘Wine, Women & Song’ where “sisters” of all types will enjoy making
connections and relaxing in the resort atmosphere.
On Sunday, May 20 at noon we’ll open the Lakeside Business Boutique,
which is the flagship of this event. Women from all different
backgrounds and walks of life will gather in the beautiful Harbor
Ballroom to enjoy a day among “sisters.” They will arrive as friends,
family members or strangers, and they will all leave with a feeling of
joy. The ballroom will be filled with booths and activities from
shopping to pampering services and education. The boutique kicks
off with ‘Real Women Revealed’ – an interactive body framing and image
demonstration by Gretch Hill and the attendees of the workshop. Free
appetizers, a cash bar and door prizes round out the fun-filled and
inspiring day.
Admission is $10 at the door, or just $5 with a VIP postcard available
by mail or from participating sponsors. Full details and up to date
information can be found online at:
www.asisterthing.com. Call The
Abbey Resort (800-709-1323) for special room rates beginning at just
$159 for ‘sister thing’ guests. Learn more about the resort and
amenities online at:
www.theabbeyresort.com.
Remembering Deb (D2)
D-SISTERS
From 1970-2005 there were 5 sisters known as the D-Sisters. (Diane,
Debbie, Denise, Doreen and Dawn Kruse.) We laughed, we cried, we whined,
we whispered, we stole, we shared, mostly we giggled – yes we were
sisters.
On June 26, 2005 we were changed forever, when Deb moved on to another
place. We will always feel the loss, but hopefully over time we will
remember with smiles 'all that was Deb.'
This photo was taken Christmas Day, 2004 – the last time we were all together – (with our Mom and D4’s Princess Rachel.)
She always knew she could fly...the question remains how high?
Debra Ann Kruse Foster
October 10, 1958 - June 26, 2005
Denise and Gretch at The Abbey
Denise and Gretch
For Deb...With Much Love and Sorrow ~
“Bye-bye red boat….”
The sweet voice echoed in the moonlight.
“Bye-bye red boat…”
As the plastic toy gently floated away from the shoreline, the tiny blonde cherub put his precious soft hand in his mother’s as they slowly walked away from the lake.
“Bye-bye red boat…”
Echoed the Auntie a few steps ahead, as both sisters smiled through tears.
They glanced simultaneously up to the heavens, hoping that somewhere in that star-filled sky their older sister was smiling down on them now.
They had spent many hours over the past three weeks discussing the bond, the invisible heartstrings that tied the five of them together. Sometimes they weren’t so invisible.
They had lost one of their own. Her ashes were now part of their beloved lake. The lake, where so many happy memories were shared. The lake, where she had skied barefoot, challenged boys, and enjoyed the simple pleasures of life.
They could still see her in her white bikini jumping off the raft,
leading an adventure game on the giant log, and racing faster than she
was supposed to in the family boat or on an old bicycle.
Who would have believed that at 46 years of age, her ashes would be scattered in the bay for her to become a part of that lake forever? (Well, except the few that weren’t scattered in another lake or under her favorite pine trees…)
She lived life fast. She lived life fun. She lived life with something missing …
Something that became deeper than any lake in which she swam. Something her sisters hoped she was finding now.
“Bye-bye red boat…”
His mother whispered quietly, “Bye-bye Auntie – Bye-bye Sister – We love you...we'll miss you...” and quieter still…”keep an eye on her, Gram…”
As they shared ice cream and pizza at Milty-Wilty like they had so many years ago, both sisters wondered “When the beautiful blue-eyed boy is a handsome grown up man, will he ask ‘why do I remember a night with a red boat floating in the moonlight?’ They both promised themselves he would, because they would keep her alive through the stories. The memories … The photos … The music … The quilts … The heartstrings …
“Bye-bye red boat…Bye-bye Deb…I hope it’s smooth sailing forever …”
dms 7/15/2005
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