THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 16, 1995 TAG: 9504140141
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Faces and Places
SOURCE: Susie Stoughton
LENGTH: Medium: 81 lines
Try looking at the world the way Debbie Turner does.
First, you'd have to close your eyes, then squint through one eyelid, just enough to catch a glimmer of light.
What you'd see - if you really could see the way Turner does - is beauty all around you.
And what you'd feel is love from family and friends and God's sustaining power - strong enough to carry you through difficult times.
Turner, 42, is legally blind. About a year and a half ago, diabetes robbed her of all but partial vision in one eye. She's had 14 operations trying to salvage some sight, but with little success.
Still, she starts each day thanking God for her blessings. ``It's not what I've lost,'' she said. ``It's what I have left.''
She stays busy helping others. ``We have to make the best of it,'' she said. ``There's too much living to do out there.''
Her living centers around First Baptist Church on Main Street in Suffolk.
She's there for Sunday school and worship service on Sundays. And she's there every Wednesday afternoon, helping prepare for congregational suppers.
``I'm a helper,'' she said, taking a break on a cushioned pew in the sanctuary as soft light filtered through stained glass. ``If somebody says, `I need a spoon,' I hand them a spoon.''
She takes messages to the church office, if needed. She fills salt and pepper shakers. She sets out napkins.
Turner, a Suffolk native, grew up in First Baptist Church.
``This is the center of my life,'' she said. ``When I retired, God was moving me in the direction of his service. It doesn't matter what you do if you do it for him.''
For 10 years, she was a switchboard operator for the city, and she loved her job. She enjoyed being with people and helping others. Her former co-workers keep in touch and take her to lunch occasionally.
In November 1992, she had a hemorrhage in one eye, and doctors said she was going blind in both. She had major retina operations and laser surgeries on both eyes.
After the retina surgeries, she had to sit leaning over with her head to the floor for six weeks, able to raise up only once a day for medicine.
``I went through everything necessary to preserve my sight,'' she said.
The hardest thing was giving up her car keys because that meant losing her independence. Now she has to rely on others when she needs to go somewhere.
``In 18 months, I have not wanted for one ride,'' she said. ``My church family, my husband and my family have supported me and given me all I needed.''
She also visits nursing homes, sitting and talking with residents.
``You go over there and think you're going to cheer them up,'' she said. ``You walk out and they've cheered you up. I can't do much for them, just listen.''
Another way Turner feels she contributes is by participating in her church's prayer chain. Even people who are confined to their homes can make telephone calls, she said.
``There's plenty of work that needs to be done in the Lord's service,'' she said, ``if we're just willing and available to do it.''
She trusts God to supply what she needs.
``I commend every day to the Lord,'' she said. ``We're not promised tomorrow. We're only promised eternal life.''
She said, ``A daily walk - that's what I try to do. God is in control. He's going to get me through it, see that my needs are met.''
She and her husband, Floyd - a crew leader for the Virginia Department of Transportation, have no children, although she loves youngsters. ``Everybody shares all their children and grandchildren with me,'' she said.
Her pastor, the Rev. Charles W. Thompson, has told her it's not how you start out that's important, but how you finish up.
``I want to finish well,'' she said, heading back to the kitchen where the other volunteers were working.
``The Lord works his purpose for all of us,'' she said. ``I just feel like I'm planted just where I'm supposed to grow.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
Debbie Turner helps prepare supper at First Baptist Church.
by CNB