Happy Anniversary to our dear friends

Dear Isaac and Jess,

Happy Anniversary to our dear friends.

In ’84 you welcomed us to the Wyndham Kibbutz – actually with our children, the Sprances and the Atlases we sort of formed that kibbutz. The fact that we had brought children to the neighborhood was a big factor in the beginning of the friendship. We were the “Christmas neighbor-aunt and uncle” with Justin coming down on Christmas to join in the excitement. I wonder if he remembers the raspberry babka I only made twice a year at Thanksgiving and Christmas—and I wonder if I could still make it after not baking for a dozen years. Jessica showed me where Paramus Park was, how to drive on Route 4, who to use as a pediatrician and how to shop at Foodtown vs. Pathmark. We have danced and sung Friday evening celebrations with the Thompson/Diaz’s, and sailed with the Twin Towers behind us on the Hudson .
When we moved to Delhi Jessica came to visit while Isaac had to stay behind as his father’s health failed. Both of you came to Cairo, supporting us in our wayward wanderlust, even with Jessica’s health risks. You came to Pentwater to see where in the world we came from; you are always there to welcome us back to NYC—sometimes for a week, or a summer and someday permanently—inshal’allah. Although we don’t always use the same context in our long relationship, you two are the closest friends we could wish for. We can discuss politics, social issues, and family problems. You are the ONLY people including our children with whom we could share a space 9 ft. X 30 ft. for a week and still be friends. Bless Kismet and her ability to keep us sane while scaring the daylights out of us.
We are so sad that this is one anniversary we cannot share with you. I don’t know how many August l8ths we have congratulated one another on our exquisite choices in mates: the Italian Family restaurant in Queens on our way to the plane to India, hopping down to the Village when I’d had foot surgery, Chin Chin and Chinese restaurants from downtown to uptown.
We look forward to continuing this tradition wherever the Fromms and Arnolds may be and to growing old ever so gracefully together,
With love,
Sherry and David