SHELLY--

If I were a blog-photo-genius, I would include a little cutie I have of you from the infamous white photo album I brought to Brighton. I could do this because YOURS is a face that is NOT scratched out in my memory book-- nor in my heart. Speaking of hearts, I could also include the photo from the yearbook of the anonymous Valentine messenger-- who was that BIG HEART-HEADED messenger anyway?-- Shelly or Gail, I'll never tell. Adorable Shelly. We have scratched out a fond friendship over many years, beginning as Hillside Hornets we added (and tolerated the tall tales of) East High Leopards through our husbands' mutual friends. But my favorite Shelly-ism has to be this:

When high school friends gathered recently and shared the sum of events and accomplishments in their lives (and there were many), Shelly humbly related what one of her boys said of her when he was very little.
My mom, he said, "plays tennis and takes naps." *APPLAUSE*

So aptly put. What more could you ever want to BE in life than the FUN, LOVING, SELF-EFFACING person that IS Shelly? Untouchable in the most worthy respects, you are the most approachable woman I know.

Darling friend, welcome to the old hags club. You make it look GOOD.

Love,

Gail