The Best of Lifelong Friendships

My dear friend, Inga, passed away this morning in Germany, her daughter Rega informed me, and I'm heartbroken.  I want to mark the day for my friend.

I previously wrote a story about Inga, if you haven't read it, feel free, she was a dear friend and saved my sanity plenty of times.

Rega and her husband, Mathias, came to visit in June, following the funeral in Arlington for step-father Tommy, who passed away last year.  R&M flew afterwards to step-brother Boris's home in L.A., then flew up to San Francisco, rented a motorcycle, and after riding around some of our country's most beautiful spots in California, Nevada and Oregon, they stopped here for several days.

It was an unexpected, pleasant surprise, for it's been 30 years since I've seen Rega.  Prior to then my visits were with her mother; and, well, Rega just happened to be in the room.

Sarcasm aside, I've always loved Rega and still cherish the little gifts she made for me when she was around 10.  Our reconnection in June was fabulous for us both, and a new kind of bond developed between us, gives me warm fuzzies. 

Bread dough ornament

There's not much to add my original story besides this anecdote which occurred one time while drinking strawberry champagne (me) and Bernkastel-Kues (the best wine from the Mosel) for Inga.  The fact that it was her birthplace had nothing to do with it.

So from my first draft of the story of our friendship, written and sent to her in 2015 but not included in my 2022 piece:

Bet You Can't Guess, "What's a Nabelschnur?"

"We talked about all kinds of things, and found similarities in odd places.  During one of our Mother conversations, I repeated a line my mother told me dozens of times as a young bride:

“Once you got married I cut the umbilical cord.” 

Inga laughed and said her Mom also fibbed about Snipping the Nabelschnur; and some words just stick with you.

So as you can imagine, there is sadness today but also joy for having known such a wonderful woman.  There's no underestimating lifelong friendships.

My heart goes out to you, dear Rega.  Thank you for the open invitation, and I will see you again soon.

From my lips to God's ears.