...Lori, Bob, and Gretchen just chillin'

Gretchen Johnson has sent me a few new pictures ...

Orange Moon

Lori and I were best friends while living at White Sands, New Mexico. We had a lot in common and it seemed like we did everything together from the moment we met. We both played flute in the Mayfield High band and took music lessons together from the same teacher in Las Cruces. We bowled Saturday mornings with the league and played softball in the sun until the backs of our knees were so sunburned we couldn’t walk.

I remember during the summers we took Lynora to the pool for swimming in the mornings and later in the day Lori and I would go back to the pool with her brother Bob and my brother David.

I remember how Lori and Lynora would call each other a “Donald Duck” or a “Porky Pig” when they argued. That way no feelings would be hurt from name-calling.

Because White Sands was so far from Cruces (about 40 minutes away), we spent a lot of time in the car or on the school bus going between them.

Our parents alternated who drove us to our flute lessons each week. Afterwards, we always stopped at Baskin-Robbins for a double scoop ice cream cone. One particular time we were in the back of the Good’s car eating our ice cream cones. It was a clear night and the stars were out very brightly. We looked out the car windows and just above the horizon was the rising moon. It was unlike any moon we had ever seen. It literally took up the whole horizon and was glowing orange. Lori innocently asked, “Dad, what’s that big orange thing in the sky?” LTC Good calmly replied, “Lori, you’ve got to be kidding.” I never laughed so hard in my life. (I too had been asking myself that same question). Even today, whenever I see a bright, full moon I think about Lori’s big orange thing in the sky.

It’s hard to believe that it’s been 30 years since Lori and I met. We both moved on before high school ended, but Lori has always stayed in my heart in the spot for “Best Friend”. We didn’t see each other very often we have always kept in touch. Lori was such a wonderful person. I will always miss her and cherish her memory.

Thank you, Lori, for being my friend.

-Gretchen Johnson