Time Capsule: Debra by Katy Elizabeth Coulman

Debra Amato

kcoulman8 — 2024-09-23 02:24:56 UTC

This is a picture of my next-door neighbor and kid baby-sitter, Debra Amato, who has been a part of my life since I was born! She is 73 years old and helped raise me into the person I am today! She also picked out this picture as she says it's her favorite of her (and I think she looks lovely)!!

Favorite Stories/Memories:

kcoulman8 — 2024-09-23 02:52:56 UTC

Life Lessons:

kcoulman8 — 2024-09-23 02:53:47 UTC

Culture and Society:

kcoulman8 — 2024-09-23 02:54:28 UTC

News Stories:

kcoulman8 — 2024-09-23 02:54:45 UTC

The Beach Boys:

kcoulman8 — 2024-09-23 02:56:47 UTC

The Beach Boys are her husband's favorite band and she knows all of their songs by heart because of how much they listen to them!! Her favorite will always be "Surfer Girl" because that song is what was playing when her husband proposed to her!!

The Beatles:

kcoulman8 — 2024-09-23 02:58:37 UTC

Her favorite band will forever be the iconic band, The Beatles!! She has loved their music since they first started and wishes to have seen them live every day of her life!! Her favorite song is "Hey Jude" and it never fails to make her cry!

Favorite Songs:

kcoulman8 — 2024-09-23 03:02:06 UTC

9/11

kcoulman8 — 2024-09-23 03:07:25 UTC

Debra and her husband, Tim were raised in Chicago city but her husband was transferred to New York for work for a short time because of work. He was only a few buildings away from The World Trade Center when 9/11 occurred. My grandmother remembers that she was at work, and all of her coworkers were huddled around the TV screen watching in horror. She will always remember the fear she had for her husband's safety and has always very nervous about going on planes ever since 9/11.

Moon Landing

kcoulman8 — 2024-09-23 03:11:42 UTC

When growing up, Debra always had the dream of becoming an astronaut and exploring the unknown. She had always been fascinated with the stars and the nature of it! When she watched the moon landing on her black and white TV, she was glued to the screen. She was quite young when this event occurred but she still has a rush of envy yet pride for her country and those who were involved.

Theme Choice

kcoulman8 — 2024-09-23 03:12:35 UTC

Debra's favorite color is yellow, hence for the box coloring. The background are birds because it is her favorite animal!!

Chicago:

kcoulman8 — 2024-09-23 03:17:52 UTC

Debra will always have the biggest love for Chicago as she grew up and lived there for 20 years. She loved showing people around the city and she loved living her day to day life there. When she had the chance, she would take my sister and me to the downtown area and just take us to the lake, cubs games, parks, and the mall!! She loved the city, and because of her, I do too. She misses living there but its just not as safe anymore.

One of her favorite stories to tell is when she got to meet the whole Chicago Blackhawks team because the team manager thought she was the Sports management Intern and she was able to explore the whole stadium!!

Farming:

kcoulman8 — 2024-09-23 03:18:19 UTC

Debra and her husband Time were City people, but after 9/11, they both moved out into the suburbs and farm area of Illinois and created a farm of their own! They had chickens, rabbits, goats, pigs, and a huge garden!! Her favorite part of her day was when my sister and I would come over after school and play and help with all of the animals!! Here is a picture of me playing with some of her baby chickens from a few years ago!!

Giving Back:

kcoulman8 — 2024-09-23 03:18:47 UTC

Debra has always loved being able to help others. Throughout her life, she has always helped out in her local community and is always volunteering when she can!! When growing up, she was a Girl Scout and loved every second of it. When she found out that I was a Girl Scout when growing up, she always made sure to buy some of our cookies but told us to remember that it isn't about the cookies, it's about why we are selling cookies. Girl Scout cookie proceeds go to local fundraisers and towards a better cause. Debra has learned throughout her life that life is too short to spread negativity. She always says, "there's not enough time" to do everything she wants to do to help people but, "a little here, a little there always helps".

Never a Thing As Too Safe

kcoulman8 — 2024-09-23 03:30:12 UTC

Debra Amato explained to me that the world has changed so much and how in her eyes, it is no longer safe. When growing up and in her adulthood, she was constantly in Downtown Chicago and was using the Subway 24/7 with no issues. However, she explained how she cannot go farther than a mile down the road without being in fear of a carjacking which is why she moved to the suburbs in the hope of a haven but still has the fear. She explains that when growing up bad things happened, but not so much at this rate. She wishes the world was safer and focused their attention towards more laws enforcing safety.

Technology

kcoulman8 — 2024-09-23 03:55:11 UTC

For Debra, Technology is something she believes she is very up to date with but it was not always easy. She explains how much life changed from paper maps to GPS, phones to TVs and so much more overnight in her eyes. She never realized just how much technology advanced until she sat down and thought about it. As much as she appreciates technology and how it makes her life easier, she wishes people would lean off it more. One of her biggest pet peeves is when people are on their phones at the dinner table!!

Money Isn't Everything!!

kcoulman8 — 2024-09-23 04:01:54 UTC

Debra Amato, while practically raising me has always assured me that money was not a problem with her when it came to my sister and me. We were very fortunate and comfortable growing up and she truly helped us feel so grateful and loved. Debra tells me to always go get that coffee or sweet treat because money is not everything. Now that does mean to go hog wild and to forget about saving for retirement, but do not be so hard on yourself. When Debra was growing up in her early 20s, she was working two jobs while pregnant, and money was very tight for her. She was very hard on herself about not being happy financially and since then has worked very hard to get where she is today. She reminds me that she was still happy when she was "tight on money" in her words, because money should not ever define my state of mind.

Society of Aging

kcoulman8 — 2024-09-23 04:07:52 UTC

Debra pointed out to me that she feels very respected and cared for by the general public. However, she thinks hospitals are "money grabbers" and do not treat her with respect. She has interacted with healthcare workers who look at her like she has an expiration date on her. Besides the healthcare, she has loved her older age as she feels closer with those around her that have also retired and she has many hobbies such as crafts, giving back to her community, and hanging out with me of course!! :)