Be Without You (Tribute To My Friend)

"Be Without You"

I wanna be with you, gotta be with you, need to be with you
(Oh, oh, oh, oh)
I wanna be with you, gotta be with you, need to be with you
(Oh, oh, oh, oh)
Oooo (oh, oh, oh, oh) oooo

Chemistry was crazy from the get-go
Neither one of us knew why
We didn't build nothing overnight
Cuz a love like this takes some time
People swore it off as a phase
Said we can’t see that
Now from top to bottom
They see that we did that (yes)
It’s so true that (yes)
We’ve been through it (yes)
We got real sh** (yes)
See baby we been...

Too strong for too long (and I can’t be without you baby)
And I’ll be waiting up until you get home (cuz I can’t sleep without you baby)
Anybody who’s ever loved, ya know just what I feel
Too hard to fake it, nothing can replace it
Call the radio if you just can’t be without your baby

I got a question for ya
See I already know the answer
But still I wanna ask you
Would you lie? (no)
Make me cry? (no)
Do somethin’ behind my back and then try to cover it up?
Well, neither would I, baby
My love is only your love (yes)
I’ll be faithful (yes)
I’m for real (yes)
And with us you’ll always know the deal
We’ve been...

Too strong for too long (and I can’t be without you baby)
And I’ll be waiting up until you get home (cuz I can’t sleep without you baby)
Anybody who’s ever loved, ya know just what I feel
Too hard to fake it, nothing can replace it
Call the radio if you just can’t be without your baby

See this is real talk
I’m always stay (no matter what)
Good or bad (thick and thin)
Right or wrong (all day everyday)
Now if you’re down on love or don’t believe
This ain’t for you (no, this ain’t for you)
And if you got it deep in your heart
And deep down you know that it’s true (come on, come on, come on)
Well, let me see you put your hands up (hands up)
Fellas tell your lady she’s the one (fellas tell your lady she’s the one, oh)
Put your hands up (hands up)
Ladies let him know he's got your love
Look him right in his eyes and tell him
We’ve been...

Too strong for too long (and I can’t be without you baby)
And I’ll be waiting up until you get home (cuz I can’t sleep without you baby)
Anybody who’s ever loved, ya know just what I feel
Too hard to fake it, nothing can replace it
Call the radio if you just can’t be without your baby

Heeeeeeeeeeeey Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh

I wanna be with you, gotta be with you, need to be with you

Listening to Mary J. Blige say it causes a whole lot of pain to find out that you're ignorant. I remember this so plainly, all the way back to the first time I came online. I didn't perceive that people's presence in my life would cause 'me' to change. I know we want to change other people. I was always wanting others to be better, but I learned, through Debbie, that I am the only person I could change.

It's really uncanny how, listening to Mary J. speak, I can see many of the same things she was talking about happening in our friendship. For the past three years plus, every since we were 'placed' into each other's life, we have maintained a very close, devoted allegiance. We shared the ups, the downs, celebrated the successes, the failures, the lessons, the family issues, the laughter, the love of music, poetry, and of women. At any hour of the day, we could connect. We grew together, in mutual respect. It's safe to say if something went on between us, it was not a secret between us. Good, or bad. LOL.

I was there when through the deaths of her family members. Every time she got a promotion, I was the the first to hear about it. When she went to conferences all over the USA, I would hear about wherever she was. When she was very sick, we connected through laptop from her hospital bed almost every minute.. I was always there. I invited her to 360. I convinced her to share her poetry that she would read to me. Yeah, she claimed it was no good, but I showed her it was, by introducing her to poetry lovers all over the internet. I even entered her in a Poetry contest. (smiling) Her words speak of a woman experiencing real emotions, and being honest about what she feels. Even when no one likes to hear of pain. She described hers so eloquently. Just as she describes everything in her life. That's what draws the masses to her persona.

Over my shoulders, I can hear Mary singing, BE HAPPY. That's all she wanted since I met her. With all the pain, I was surprised to see the strong woman articulating in a field that was the source of her inner pain. But she excelled, as she does today. That's what the powers that be recognized when she was offered her ultimate promotion. But, that's all any of us want. To be happy, loved, and needed. Debbie gave me that. She made me her best friend online. We said, okay, we gonna do this, and we gonna be here for each other. Half the time, no one knew we even spoke. But, she was very diligent. She made it very hard not to be a friend to her. She earned my respect, as I earned hers. We have secrets we will take to the grave. (Remember you swore, Debbie. lol)

I am not saying goodbye. I am only stopping to say I, too, remember all that we were, are, and will be. You gets no sad ode here. lol. I went to sleep today, and in my drowsy state, a voice spoke to me, saying, "There is a friend who sticketh closer than a brother" it was on repeat. That's what she is to me. We actually argue, and fight like sisters, we make up like family, and we get along sometimes like people who love each other....and we DO, too much to let small stuff stand between our mutual well wishes.

I will be waiting here, like Mary sings....because we promised each other our friendship would always be there. I promised your mother to always be there, and I intend to keep that one. You make me a better person just by the stuff we have been through. Trust that!


Wherever you are, I will be there in spirit. If you need me, you know the deal. I'm wishing on a star that both of us will get what we want. I think we both will. (winking)

"Too strong for too long (and I can’t be without you baby)
And I’ll be waiting up until you get home (cuz I can’t sleep without you baby)
Anybody who’s ever loved, ya know just what I feel
Too hard to fake it, nothing can replace it
Call the radio if you just can’t be without your baby"

Congratulations. Wishing you the best. May the force be with you. True friendship never ends. Girl. go...do what you gotta do!!!