Dearest Anne,

What to say about 40 years of being BFF's.  We met in Cultural Geography class at Cal State Northridge when you struck up a conversation with me to avoid the guy behind you who was bugging you. So many adventures and memories since then.  First there were all the "disco days" where you had to help me sneak into the bars since I was underage at the time (such a bad influence!!!).  Our amazing road trip through AZ, NM, TX and OK around 1978.  Going through your kidney's finally failing and the transplant in 1980, but thankfully you were well enough to be at my wedding to Andy in 1981. Lots of visits to Newport Beach with your family.  And then you were with Bob and there was lots of camping, fishing and the houseboat on Lake Mead.  Of course I was at your wedding in Las Vegas, bittersweet as it was. Times of talking about the latest developments on All My Children.  Bringing in sushi to your apartment in North Hollywood and talking until 2 in the morning.  Our girlfriend trip to Long Beach on the Queen Mary was a real treat. Of course we can't forget all of my family gatherings you attended over the years and got in touch with your Jewish side and learned so many Yiddish expressions and to eat chopped liver, gefilte fish, matzo brei, etc. 

It always amazed me what a great friend you were when I had problems that never compared to what you went through on a daily basis -- always there to listen with an open heart and give wonderful advice.  It also amazed me how you would always go out of your way for others, including animals (such as baby squirrels) always above and beyond whatever your needs and capabilities were.

I loved all your wonderful expressions like "no shit Sherlock", "time to book out of Dodge" and everything was about "going on an adventure".  You were an amazing Aunt to Alana and she will miss you so much, but you have helped give her the foundation she needed to become the young woman she is today. She listened to you about many things that she didn't want to hear from her parents and I'm so glad she made the effort to see you in Palm Springs last year when she was there for her friend's bachelorette party.

You survived so much pain, but never doubted that God had a plan for you and whatever was happening was just as it was supposed to be.  I don't know that I could ever be as strong, but I take your lessons with me. I hope you have "all the answers" now.  At least now the pain is over and you can rest, though there is a terrible hole in my heart that can never be fixed.

I love you and miss you,
Berina