Deborah
“Being a woman means sometimes being made to feel ‘less than’ while knowing you’re ‘more than’.”
Despite being told she couldn’t, she proved she could. Deborah has had to fight and overcome, but she remains remarkably generous and kind. To Deborah, her friends, faith and family matter most. Alongside working towards a brighter future by giving back to her community, Deborah is on a quest to find stillness. This is her story.
Deborah at the cottage, where she finds stillness, joy and serenity (her happy place)
P: Please introduce yourself!
D: I am Deborah Hogan Thompson, was called "Debbie" up until I was 24 when I moved out west and decided I wanted to use my full name and feel "grown up". Interesting what a challenge it is to get people to just call you by your name.
P: Please define or describe yourself in your own words.
D: Short version - Spiritual explorer, seeking stillness, chatting along the way.
Deborah in Dingle
Longer version - I began in Montreal, went west to Vancouver for 10 years in my mid 20s, returned east and eventually found myself in rural Ontario, where I'm politically active with the Liberal Party. I am a Mom to two incredible adult kids, Kaisha (31) and Liam (29), married to Jim an amazing Chiropractor. At 43, I participated in an Alpha course and became a Christian. My life changed then, to include a spiritual aspect to my life.
Deborah and her family at Thanksgiving
P: What is your favourite thing about yourself?
D: I would say my generosity. I love to give gifts, time, cards, help, advice, baked goods, a shoulder to cry on, anything I might find a friend in need of.
P: Tell us a story. Have you had an experience that has defined you or made you stronger?
D: I was literally given a year to live, (7 years ago). Since then I have been much more aware about what really matters. Choosing which battles need to be fought and letting others go.
Deborah and Liam in 2014, after Deborah’s chemo and before her surgery.
P: What is one piece of advice you’d give your younger self
D: Take risks, make mistakes and don't give a damn what anyone thinks about you!
P: What does being a woman mean to you?
D: Being a woman means sometimes being made to feel "less than" while knowing you're "more than".
Gap of Dunloe, Ireland with Deborah’s favourite travelling sisters (She says she forgot to mention that she loves to travel!)
P: Who is one woman that inspires you? What would you say to her if she were here now?
D: The woman who inspires me is my daughter, Kaisha. Life has thrown her many challenges and she has always picked herself up and persevered to her goal. Helping many who have been marginalized along the way.
I would say to her: You inspire me to be a better person and I love you very much.
Kaisha's law school graduation