Congratulations to every single gay person in New York. “New York has gone from discrimination and darkness to lightness and equality,” said a gay woman who was interviewed on TV this morning, after the New York legislature passed a gay equal rights amendment.

I believe there have been gay people since the dawn of time, that people are born gay, just as I was born heterosexual. I remember the sixties in New York, when many gay people hid from the rest of us, for fear of recrimination. And if they were repressed in liberal New York City, imagine what they were subjected to elsewhere!

 

Possibly the cutest couple of all time, actors David Burtka and Neil Patrick Harris, became engaged last night. I'd marry either of them.

 

Remember the movie Philadelphia, where Tom Hanks, as Andrew Beckett, made believe he was straight to the bigwigs at his law firm, who were afraid gay people would taint them?

All men are created equal. Denying gay people the right to marry is no different than denying black people the right to drink out of the same water fountain, attend the same schools and sit in the same section on the bus. Everyone has to have the same rights, except convicted criminals. Correcting this is important for us, as a just, advanced civilization.

Outdoor restaurant seating has popped up all over New York City during the last couple of years.  It’s not nearly as exciting or romantic as al fresco dining in Paris, but it’s got a certain appeal. As I write this, I am enjoying a cappuccino and gazpacho outdoors at a restaurant directly across the street from my apartment. I am making believe I am on vacation.

Now that summer is here, and we aren’t bundled up in coats and sweaters, I am noticing quite a few women who are obviously anorexic. I saw a thirty-something whose legs were so thin, it’s a wonder they had the strength to hold her up. I also spotted an FOF so skinny she looked like she was 100.  It’s hard to fathom how someone as emaciated could deceive herself when she looks into a mirror. It is sad.

Dined last night with good friends and married couple, Mira and Vince, and had a spirited, if not sobering, conversation about life after death, the economy, gay rights and health care. We didn’t solve the world’s problems but it’s always stimulating to hear everyone’s viewpoints.

A FOF at the nail salon was showing off a photo of her new grandson and, lo and behold, turns out the baby’s parents are my son’s good friends. As a matter of fact, my son and the baby’s mom met and became best friends when they were two. It’s a small world, after all, especially in your local beauty salon.

Question:        What does my dear FOF friend, Gerri Shute, have in common with singer Jennifer Hudson and Blackhawks left wing (whatever that means) Patrick Sharp, besides the fact they’re all from Chicago?

Answer:            They are three of the 50 Most Beautiful Chicagoans of 2012, according to Chicago Magazine.

Two beautiful Chicagoans: Dr. Rohini Dey, left, who owns Vermilion Restaurant, and FOF Gerri.

No doubt about it.  Gerry is beautiful, inside and out.  She was one of the first FOFs I interviewed before we launched faboverfifty.com and we hit it off instantly.  She is generous of spirit (she invited me to dinner with a group of her closest friends when they came to New York—and I hadn’t met her in person yet!) She is cultured (she comes into New York and goes to six plays and four museums in a matter of days). She has impeccable taste (just look at her).  She loves her family (when she talks about them, you see it in her eyes). She’s comfortable with anyone (I invited her to dinner with two good friends and they adored her). She is funny (listen to her talk about dating.) And she’s sexy, smart and sassy.  So there you have it.

Meet Gerri.

PS  Look at the other “Beautiful Chicagoans.”  FOFs aren’t very well represented, are they?

Think about the numerous objectives we have as we move through life: Get good grades. Get into a good college. Get a good job. Do a good job. Make a good impression. Look good. Have a good social life. Find a boyfriend. Get big salary increases. Earn big promotions. Get recognition. Get married. Find an apartment. Save money. Buy a house. Become pregnant. Raise healthy, smart, good kids. Pray they’re good and smart enough to get into good colleges. Pray they get good jobs, find good mates and good apartments. Become grandparents.  Etc. Etc. Etc. I’m exhausted just writing it down.

If we’re really lucky, we move from day to week, week to month, month to year, and year to decade, without the kind of crises that can completely cripple us. I’ve been lucky.

Sometimes I wish I could turn the clock back a couple of decades, and relive certain parts of my life, this time using my FOF wisdom.  Since that’s an unlikely scenario, I forge ahead.

Now, my biggest objectives are to appreciate what I’ve achieved and to continue to “grow,” give and be grateful for every breath I take.