Deb Erika Always Wanted to be The Goodbye Girl (and a Golden Girl, too)

Erika MarksSo, wait?

It’s time to go?

Really?

Really really?

Okay, deep breaths, Deb Erika. You can do this.

And you know why I can? Because I know you readers are going to LOVE the new Debs of 2013, and I know we are leaving this gorgeous dance floor in their expert hands—(er, feet?).

But I can’t lie. I’m going to miss this place. A whole lot.

Those of you who’ve shared this year with us, you know I am a child of the 70s (I give you Exhibit A, Exhibit B and, my personal favorite, Exhibit C) so it shouldn’t surprise any of you, dear friends, that every time I am faced with a goodbye, this theme to the classic Neil Simon movie comes rushing to my brain. (What can I say? I’ve always had a soft spot for Richard Dreyfuss.)

Now that you have an ear worm for the rest of your day (You’re welcome), let’s stop being glib, Erika, and get serious.

I could say that I’ve been in denial a bit about this year being over for us of the Deb Class of 2012 (because I have) or that I can’t believe how fast this year has gone (because I can’t) but mostly, it just comes down to me wanting to say this:

THANK YOU.

Thank you to my beloved fellow Debs, those who helped to usher us of ’12 in, those of the class of 2013 who will two-step-and-Mambo into our reader’s hearts when we leave, and especially to those I’ve been so thrilled to share the dance floor with this year. Thank you to our readers, to our bloggers, our Deb Friends and Deb Guests, and a special thank you to our honorary member of 2012, Deb Mom Marcia.

Like David Gates sings, goodbye doesn’t mean forever. So please stay in touch friends. Come visit. You know where to find me.

Now let’s all wipe our noses and just all do like the greatest Debs ever do when it’s time to roll the credits and carry on: sidle up to the table for some cheesecake.

Hugs.

20 Replies to “Deb Erika Always Wanted to be The Goodbye Girl (and a Golden Girl, too)”

  1. Awww. I love that movie AND that show! Damn, I’m gonna miss my Tuesday mornings with you. *lip quivers*

    Erika, it’s been so great getting to know this year. And the best thing about it? It doesn’t have to end–our Deb year together was just the beginning of a beautiful friendship. 🙂

    1. Linda, I feel the very same, my dear Deb sister. And that gives me great comfort to know that our friendship will indeed continue off the dance floor.

      And I love that even though our tenure is ending, your release for IN A FIX is just beginning!! How that makes me smile. 🙂

  2. Has it really been a year? Where does the time go? I’ll truly miss your Tuesday posts, Erika! But I absolutely hate goodbyes, so I’ll just make sure I read what you write in other places….like in October, your new book — CAN’T WAIT! 🙂

    1. Julia, I can’t believe it either! It’s meant so much to me and to all of us Debs that you’ve been such a loyal friend checking in with us every week. Fortunately, we know where to find you too! 😉

  3. It’s going to be a tough week! As Linda says, it’s been great getting to know you this year, Erika. You know how much I loved LITTLE GALE GUMBO and I can’t wait to read THE MERMAID COLLECTOR in just over a month! But the friendship we’ve forged is more than the sum of its parts and I’m looking forward to continuing our friendship on the sidelines as we cheer the new ladies on through their debut year. Raising a fork to you, today (you said there was cheesecake, after all).

    1. Joanne, I’m smiling ear to ear over here. (And not just because we’re about to eat cheesecake–wait, was I supposed to bring the cheesecake?!) I still can’t quite believe we’ve not meet IRL since I feel like we’ve shared a hundred kugel dishes in the last year. The sign of a true friendship. Here’s to more fun ahead, lady!

  4. Erika, I cannot say goodbye (this is really a hard week for me also)I cannot believe the year has just poof gone by, as for the cheesecake we are going to have a big chocolate cheese cake TO SAY HELLO WE ARE HERE, (when we get together and we will, ask J about chocolate cheescake Bubby Deb Marcia will make for us).

    Erika, I feel like you are my Tuesday morning’s as for the last 49 years Tuesday nights have been maj nights. You are just there,so I expect a Tuesday morning email, blog, phone call etc etc etc.

    This has been a wonderful experience for me to have journeyed 2012 with all of the amazing Debs, to have read LITTLE GALE GUMBO (by the way I have had all of my maj group and friends read it also) which was truly so so enjoyable and I am so looking forward to reading THE MERMAID COLLECTOR the minute it arrives on my Kindle.

    May your journey (along with J and I) be full of successful writing and Good Health and Happiness.

    Okay (tears are flowing, key board is getting wet)this is not goodbye but a big HELLO for a wonderful year of getting to know you.

    1. DM Marcia, your words are just perfect and I meant it when I said you are as much a part of our dance team as anyone. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being so supportive of all of us. And now that I know we’re adding your chocolate cheesecake to our kugel-bake-off menu, I’m really ready to plan our meal!

      I know we will stay in touch.

      Hugs to you, Deb E.

  5. I’m sorry to see you go, Erika. Thanks for all the fish … and, for the non-Hitchhiker’s Guide geeks among us…all the help you’ve given us as we prepare to take the floor. I’ve loved reading your posts this year and can’t wait to have you back for the release of THE MERMAID COLLECTOR!

    1. Susan, as someone married to a huge Douglas Adams fan, you’re welcome–and thank you! I can’t wait to see you all take the floor and spin it next year. You all will rock the land. 😉

  6. I smiled and teared up with this post. I don’t post much but love you and the other ’12 Debs and have enjoyed being a voyeur on your journey. I know what is to come is even better!!! Xo

    1. Anita, you are such a sweetheart–thank you for being so supportive! It’s been such a wonderful journey–I feel so fortunate to have been a part of it–and like you, I can’t WAIT to follow the journey of the next class!!

  7. Is there nothing not best summed up by The Golden Girls? Thanks for all your support and being such a kind listening ear this year, Erika. I’m so thrilled to have met you, read LGG, and can’t wait till my copy of The Mermaid Collector arrives! I still can’t believe that when we started we were all so doe-eyed and fresh… and now we are passing the torch!

    1. Aw, thank you, Deb Rachel! Right back at you, dear. I can’t believe we are passing the torch either–how fast this year went by and all that came with it!

      PS–I can’t stop watching that cheesecake clip–what is wrong with me??? (Me: “Um, nothing?”)

  8. Au revoir, Erika, but I know we’ll see you again when The Mermaid Collector comes out – can’t wait for all the wonderful things in your future, and thanks for taking such good care of the Ball!

    1. Deb Eleanor, you’re going to make me cry all over again!

      We can’t thank you enough for all you did to get our new Deb wings working a year ago–and now we are about to greet a new class. I think I speak for all of us when I say the connection we have to one another, all of us Debs past and present (and future!) is a remarkable one and I am so grateful for it.

  9. Deb Erika, I’m going to miss you!! I am so sad that I missed Deb Linda’s Launch week and now to have missed the good bye week too? I’m still following your blog and super excited to read your new books. See you on twitter!

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