In these tumultuous times, I have thought of friends I’ve been lucky enough to stay connected with over the years. Some are really close while others are fleeting, seeing just occasionally. Friendship can be so difficult to define and often elusive. Anais Nin once wrote, “Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a world is born.”

Lea (shown above) has been a true friend of mine since college, and for Marla since Junior High. She is funny, often sardonic, a rare person understanding of your flaws and quirks, and not bashful about saying how she feels!

Kathy and Philippe have been great friends for decades. Philippe is probably the most generous person I know, totally unique in every way. We have been fortunate to go on cycling adventures throughout France and Italy, dining in Michelin starred restaurants (his idea) along the way, as well as the 4 of us traveling together.

We have been friends with Alex and Chris, along with their wonderful family, for years. We first met Alex at age 12 and her brother Jean-Francois by a chance encounter in Cannes eons ago. Marla played matchmaker to introduce Chris (son-in-law Ray’s college roommate) to Alex. The rest is a love story,…with lots of Champagne along the way.

It is wonderful to remain close with high school friends (L to R) Linda, Nancy, and Patty. We are very simpatico politically and love drinking the noblest grape. Last year we all met at Patty’s beautiful home on the Big Island and spent most of the trip searching for… the perfect Mai Tai!

Former neighbors, Annie & Tom, are consummate wayfarers, adventurers, and purveyors of wisdom & witticisms. We connected with them in Bali a few years ago and enjoyed the Balinese New Year of Nyepi.

We have been friends with Susan and John for a long time. Marla and I met John in college in California and were thrilled when they married to make it a foursome.

My barber, Steve, has cut my hair for years. We know each other so well we don’t even mind hearing each others’ personal stories…again and again! Steve introduced me to road cycling.

We are blessed to have an amazing neighbor like Steve! And, our new neighbors, Rae and Carl, have been very helpful during this quarantine!

Steve Beard worked at Wesco Fabrics, our former company, for over 50 years! He’s a super person and funny as hell!

Lynne, next to Marla, is a good friend who has a design company in Steamboat Springs. She is a person you always enjoy long chats with over wine. We got to know her well on a trip to Bali.

The gangs all here; Jack, Bonnie, Carolyn, Susan, John, Jennifer, Paul and Steve! As Emerson once wrote, “The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, not the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when you discover that someone else believes in you and is willing to trust you with a friendship.”

We connected with Marla’s sorority sisters, Susie and Gretchen, and Gretchen’s husband Jim in California last year. We have all been friends since college.

Our daughter’s friends, Nicole and Casey, have become our friends as well!

We loved our sales incentive trips over the years with interior designer clients around the country. Through many of these trips, we developed friendships still existing today. L-R, Russ, Kerri, Bonnie, Paula, Roger, Ann, Dick & Marla. We enjoyed trips with Bonnie and husband Russ to Cannes, Thailand & Singapore, the Amalfi Coast, and Bali.

I’ve been lucky to forge friendships via Facebook over the years. Irene (on the left) is a creative polymath, comfortable in the fashion world of New York, as well as her great love, beautiful Sonoma County! Husband Ron is a lover of the guitar, Sonoma County wines, and the real estate business.

A fabulous dinner with new friends, L-R, Bob, Mary, Marla, Jerry, and Gayle. The groups’ diverse backgrounds include a bank president, international finance, communications law, and interior design. Never a boring conversation at this table!

I’m with good high school friends, Linda & Patty.

High school reunions with many friends for life.

More high school friends.

I really enjoy following Mike, my HS & Facebook Friend. He is one of the most accomplished masters’ road cyclists in the country.

This was a wonderful dinner in Carmel with a diverse group of college friends. L-R, Roger, Jane, Dick, Bengta, Marla, and Ric.

A spirited dinner in Cannes with interior designers and entrepreneurs. L-R: Marla, Dixie, Bob, and Holly. Bob’s Ferrari is almost the same color as his shirt!

8 members of Marla’s Delta Gamma pledge class attended a UOP reunion! I dated 4 of these ladies back in the day!

An early picture of Marla with Denver Ballet Guild friends, LaFawn & Tiny. They spent many years together doing volunteer work.

We traveled with Ed (left) to Paris and a magnificent chateau in the Vendee, as well as to Bali. We still enjoy lunches, dinners, and events in Denver. Our mutual friend, George Lichter, has sadly passed away. George was a fabric supplier to our company before moving to Boulder to be close to his kids,…as well as one of the original founders of the Israeli Air Force.

Last year we lost Pete, kneeling on my back, who was the best man at our wedding. Lea was a bridesmaid. Those are long-lasting friendships.

“I think if I’ve learned anything about friendship, it’s to hang in, stay connected, fight for them, and let them fight for you. Don’t walk away, don’t be distracted, don’t be too busy or tired, don’t take them for granted. Friends are part of the glue that holds life and faith together. Powerful stuff.”
― Jon Katz

PHOTOS: Dick Gentry. Not to be used without permission.