Diane Debevec Paintings & Drawings

Two years ago today, Jeff's only son took his own life.  Whitney Holwadel Smith was 6 days shy of turning 25, and had been living in a Segregated Housing Unit (SHU, also known as solitary confinement)  for 15 months.  He was denied phone and visitation privileges.   His only contact with the outside world was in writing and receiving letters.

Five months before he died, Whit started  writing a blog.  He would send Jeff a handwritten entry, which Jeff would promptly transcribe and post.  Whit was a very gifted writer, and his blog garnered a steady following, which grew to the thousands around the world as word of his death spread.  Jeff still occasionally adds a post to update those interested. You can find it at http://whit-superfriends.blogspot.com .

Our lives will never be the same, and some days are simply bleak.  Jeff is my hero.  His honesty about what he is going through; his loyalty to Whit, and to Maryl, Whit's older sister; his decision to learn new skills (woodworking for one); his continued practice at guitar, gardening; all of these life-affirming choices in the face of his continuing sadness fill me with wonder.  I don't know how he does it, but I am grateful & inspired by him.

The image of Whit was drawn by an inmate and sent to Jeff after news of Whit's death reached him. James Remington did this portrait in ballpoint pen, and it's my favorite image of Whit:  he really captured Whit's soulfulness. 

We miss you, Whit.