I spent the day with my friend Vivian Leahy.  She’s one of the classiest dames I know and I mean that most respectfully.  She holds her head straight and tall, her shoulders squared, and carries herself with grace and charm. Her smile flashes.  Her eyes light.

Vivian got up early and drove all the way down to mid-town from KC, North, to get gluten-free goodies to feed me for coffee/breakfast.  She hand-selected a mug from her chinaware which she knew would be light enough for my lily-white spastic hands.  She had her beautiful blue Portuguese table-ware arranged and waiting, and did not bat even a single eyelash when I was 15 minutes late due to my GPS getting me lost.

We visited on her lovely patio, with its burst of beautiful colors in pots and its cute little garden gnome.  We talked of her week and mine; her life and mine; her child and mine.  We laughed and fell quiet, in turns, and with ease.

Then she gamely took me on a tour of her favorite second-hand shops and flea markets.  I found a table, for which I have been searching.  She endured the flirts of the suave older gentleman who also thought her classy and said so.  Then she drove us to a Thai place where we had a late lunch.  She had no qualms about angling her car right up on the flat-surface sidewalk so I could scoot my fatigued little body into her deftly driven SUV.

Our mutual friend Cindy Cieplik introduced Vivian and me.  What a gift Cindy gave me!  I am so grateful to have one of the classiest ladies in the metro area as my friend.  I’m worn out from the day, but I’m not complaining.  I had a blast.

Vivian’s beautiful daughter Morgan Fowler took this elegant, candid shot of her.