Dear Marjorie- I don’t think I’ve ever properly thanked you for all the good you’ve brought into my life. I doubt you even suspected how much you’ve affected my life in so many good ways over the years. So I’ll start by saying how much I have cherished our long friendship. It was such fun having dinner with you and your dear parents all those years ago right out of college. What a kick they were! So warm, intelligent, articulate and OMG! so funny! No wonder you turned out so perfectly. Meeting them, and seeing how much you loved them, and they you, left an indelible impression on me. Since then, I always hoped that when I had a family of my own, we’d all be as happy and good-humored as yours. And, in fact, your family has indeed served as something of a model for mine. God bless Marge and John! ... and you for introducing them to me. What great people! I also want to thank you for serving as my groomsman when I was married a few years later to my college sweetheart, and your roommate, Heather. I really enjoyed driving down from Sacramento on weekends to visit you, Heather and her two sisters in your cramped Lafayette apartment, listening to your incredibly funny observations of office culture from your humble perspective as an office assistant. My God! Those egomaniacs with their gold chains and condescending attitudes. They had no clue that you (a PhD) and Heather (a Fulbright Scholar) were more intelligent than all of them put together. No wonder that horrible company folded. Good riddance morons! (Clearly my “French” is not as refined as your Italian). You’ve always had a way with words, and with expressing yourself, that I’ve always admired. So articulate! But so endearing! I’ve always loved how your stories are windows into your heart. You never could hide your feelings. And I’m so glad you didn’t because your honesty, kindness and great humor have been so uplifting to me, and to everyone around you. How happy I was for you when you finally found the love of your life after all those years of patient waiting. John has been the perfect guy for you. Just knowing that you found someone who appreciates and loves you with all his heart, someone who really deserves you, has been been really gratifying to me. I can’t help but think a greater power was at work when that match was made. Well, I just wanted to express my long-overdue thanks to you for being such a dear friend. I’ll miss your stories. But maybe we can catch up some time. Your friend, Steve