It is hard to lose a dear friend of so many years and and now so many miles away — a treasure trove of memories. Grace and I met as two oboe players, about the summer of 1960. So much shared over those years, music from both sides of the stage, our collective six children and their fun times together, beach walks, books, just plain good conversation ideas and dreams, and wishing the miles were fewer between Michigan and Vermont.
One memorable family time together, the topic of many laughs over the years — a shared vacation. The boys and Linda were toddlers and stayed home with respective Grandparents. The Warnaars with Debbie and Laura and the Georges with Sarah spent a week together in a cabin in the Traverse City area. The weather — typical Michigan, cool and rainy when you want it to be hot — but we found plenty to do and consumed much ice cream and Murdock fudge! Many family gatherings through the years — making apple sauce, back yard grilling, sailing and of course music.
Grace and I had one memorable sail, each in our little boats on an unusually warm November 1st — the only ones on Muskegon Lake having a ball. Friendships like ours shape the fabric of who you become in life.
It was a good long ride that we shared.
Be at Peace dear friend, 'til we meet again. Gail Warnaar
