Lesley Harrison

I would like to pay tribute to a great artist, Lesley Harrison … my best friend. She has lovingly allowed me to use some of her paintings here on my pages. As you read about her, you'll come to see why she means so much to me.

I would like you to meet Lesley … the true sister of my heart and my most treasured of friends. She and I have known each other for almost … *grin* …well a long time! We grew up together, did all the girlish firsts, first pair of nylons, first makeup, first boyfriend, first horses and so much more.

We have grown together and drifted apart, and found each other again … through it all we have known a certain truth … we will always have a place in each other's hearts and minds. I could probably write a whole book on our … escapades and pranks, but I think I will tell you about just one that's come to mind … she may not even really remember…*grin*

When we were in high school her parents were very involved in the local symphony, and her mom had Lesley help out with one big dinner/fundraiser. And not wanting to be the only young person there, she invited my boyfriend and I along to keep her company. We all were suitably impressed with the whole grown up scene, including the fact that no one asked us for id when we found the champagne. So the three of us found a quiet corner and indulged ourselves. After the second glass I observed Lesley turning her head to the left and waiting … then to the right and waiting … back and forth, till I finally asked her, "What the heck are you doing?". She was quiet for a moment, and then she said "I am waiting for my eyes to catch up!". "Huh?" I said. With great seriousness and concentration she told me that when she turned her head to fast, she had to wait for her eyes to catch up and get there. I started wondering just how drunk two glasses of champagne could really make a person … I certainly didn't feel that drunk. That's when we all found out that her glass had a totally hollow stem and that she was actually getting about 1/3 again more than my boyfriend and I were … *grin* … Those were the days!!!!


Lesley, you are my dearest of friends
Sister of my heart
You are who I wanted to be
You have helped me become who I am.

You with your tomboy outside
Helped lead the way to my feminine inside.
Were you ever aware of how I watched you?
And followed your footsteps towards femininity?

And the daring bravado you showed the world
What an inspiration that was to me.
Was there ever anything you wouldn't dare?
(I think not Ms. Swap-the-swimsuit … *grin*)

We did so many first things together
Makeup … clothes … horses … boys … and even cars.
Through it all we laughed at life and ourselves.
What a dynamic duo we were, to be sure.

As we grew older, sometimes we drifted apart
Distance came between us, but never our hearts.
Time slipped past, silently marking the days
But always there was a thought of you … and a smile.

What incredible lives we both have shared
The things we have learned … the things we have done.
And through it all we have come to know
Even more about our hearts and how they work, yes?

As I find my voice again, I find that it's okay
To tell people how I feel about them and that
Surprise, surprise … they aren't mind readers … *grin*
Imagine that … needing to say words you think they know.

Thank you for being there dear friend, all my love to you!


Lesley's links

Lesley's own web site