When I go away, it's nice to have a book to read, so it was with perfect timing when my cousin, Sandy, gave me "Getting Along Famously, A Celebration of Friendship" as an early Christmas gift just as we were leaving for Palm Springs. As it turned out, I had lots of time to read since P.S. had the worst storm they've had in 70 years!
This interesting book by Melissa Hellstern, author of "How to Be Lovely - The Audrey Hepburn Way of Life," told of many great friendships by famous women, such as Coco Chanel & Misia Sert; Julie Andrews & Carol Burnett; Audrey Hepburn & Sophia Loren, and Lauren Bacall & Katherine Hepburn. Much research went into telling these stories. It made me reflect on the wonderful friendships I've had in my lifetime up to now.
My neighbor, Lin, as it turns out, was indeed one of my best friends as I look back. Lin, who never smoked a day in her life, and had the most healthy lifestyle of anyone I know, died of lung cancer. Before we took our walks in the morning, she beckoned me to breakfast at her home. Creamy oatmeal, made with real cream and a robust cup of coffee with cream, just the way I like it. That was only one of the ways Lin spoiled me. If she knew we were entertaining, she would bring over orchids from her garden that day. She had a green thumb like no one I had known before. When I hosted a sales meeting at my home, she offered, no, insisted, she come over and cook for my sales group, consisting of 10 people. Lin made the best chicken stir fry I've ever had. She did her Chinese ancestry proud.
Once when we came back from a two-week trip, for which she always volunteered to take care of our mail and newspapers, I noticed our lawn looked exceptionally good. I said, "Lin, did you see anyone lingering around our home?" She looked at me aghast, as if I would think she hadn't guarded our property well enough.
I said, "There seems to have been a fairy gardener. Everything looks so trimmed and neat." She smiled sheepishly. I knew it was another one of her thoughtful deeds.
It was a sad day, but I was touched that her husband, Ed, wanted me to deliver the eulogy at her service. How lucky I was that this wonderful woman became my neighbor and dear friend by chance. Once when Ed was coming over for dinner recently, I instinctively set out four glasses for cocktails. I started to correct myself, but knew Ed would appreciate the fact that I still feel Lin's spirit with us to this day, seven years later.
The book is filled with wonderful quotes, "What do we live for if it is not to make life less difficult for each other?" George Eliot
"The holy passion of friendship is of so sweet and steady and loyal and enduring a nature that it will last through a whole lifetime, if not asked to lend money." Mark Twain
This interesting book by Melissa Hellstern, author of "How to Be Lovely - The Audrey Hepburn Way of Life," told of many great friendships by famous women, such as Coco Chanel & Misia Sert; Julie Andrews & Carol Burnett; Audrey Hepburn & Sophia Loren, and Lauren Bacall & Katherine Hepburn. Much research went into telling these stories. It made me reflect on the wonderful friendships I've had in my lifetime up to now.
My neighbor, Lin, as it turns out, was indeed one of my best friends as I look back. Lin, who never smoked a day in her life, and had the most healthy lifestyle of anyone I know, died of lung cancer. Before we took our walks in the morning, she beckoned me to breakfast at her home. Creamy oatmeal, made with real cream and a robust cup of coffee with cream, just the way I like it. That was only one of the ways Lin spoiled me. If she knew we were entertaining, she would bring over orchids from her garden that day. She had a green thumb like no one I had known before. When I hosted a sales meeting at my home, she offered, no, insisted, she come over and cook for my sales group, consisting of 10 people. Lin made the best chicken stir fry I've ever had. She did her Chinese ancestry proud.
Once when we came back from a two-week trip, for which she always volunteered to take care of our mail and newspapers, I noticed our lawn looked exceptionally good. I said, "Lin, did you see anyone lingering around our home?" She looked at me aghast, as if I would think she hadn't guarded our property well enough.
I said, "There seems to have been a fairy gardener. Everything looks so trimmed and neat." She smiled sheepishly. I knew it was another one of her thoughtful deeds.
It was a sad day, but I was touched that her husband, Ed, wanted me to deliver the eulogy at her service. How lucky I was that this wonderful woman became my neighbor and dear friend by chance. Once when Ed was coming over for dinner recently, I instinctively set out four glasses for cocktails. I started to correct myself, but knew Ed would appreciate the fact that I still feel Lin's spirit with us to this day, seven years later.
The book is filled with wonderful quotes, "What do we live for if it is not to make life less difficult for each other?" George Eliot
"The holy passion of friendship is of so sweet and steady and loyal and enduring a nature that it will last through a whole lifetime, if not asked to lend money." Mark Twain
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