To Alicia What makes a friendship last for more than 30 years – for all of our “adult” lifetime? It is the shared memories and shared laughter but most of all a true understanding and acceptance of each other. Memories: Most of the memories involve walking everywhere together – to the local bars at night, through the Hillcrest canyons with our cats and to the park with one dog or another. While the bars disappeared over the years, the shared walks, love for our animals and the fun of laughing together stayed with us. Acceptance: We always knew and understood the good and the bad that we each brought to the friendship. Alicia you were a cranky guest; I always knew that you would find the mattress unsatisfactory as well as the food and of course my partner. You knew I was a lousy hostess and sometimes an inconsistent friend – but you would visit anyway and we would find the joy in our friendship that trumped the differences. And now that you are gone from this phase of life – there is such a sense of loss. I wish we could have enjoyed our friendship through to the rocking chair stage. I guess what is important now is all of the memories and what we gave to each other. I do miss the phone calls – someone should create an app for calling friends who are no longer with us. I really miss you. Love, Sandra