Best Friends

Oprah and her best friend, Gayle King, have known each other for 35 years.  They met while working at a television station in Baltimore and have talked to each other nearly every day since the fateful night Gayle stayed at Oprah's during a snowstorm.  Gayle has appeared on the Oprah show 139 times since its debut in 1986.  Oprah's show did a flashback of all the on and off air experiences they've shared together.  Many of them were quite hilarious.  Gayle has travelled the country in search of the best burger, sandwich, pizza and cake.  I can appreciate a woman who loves food.  Some of my friends and I love to talk about food, especially when it comes to dessert.  I'm one of those ladies who loves to lunch at different places, and I'm not ashamed to admit it.  Nordstrom's Cafe is one of my favorite places.  I used to be envious of Oprah and Gayle's friendship.  When my kids were younger I craved that kind of friendship as a stay at home mom.  Everything is centered around your kid's schedule when they are babies and toddlers.  I used to pray for a Gayle King in my life.  My prayers were answered, and I'm blessed to have several best friends.  Oprah's audience was comprised of best friends.  They all received a trip to Miraval Spa in Tuscon.  They are a lucky bunch, but I'm also lucky in that I have been to Miraval with one of my best friends.  We actually went after seeing Oprah and Gayle's trip years ago. 

Oprah says Gayle is her rock and the kind of friend she wishes everyone had.  A best friend to me is someone who tells you the truth, and listens and supports you in good times and bad.  It's sort of like a marriage, but without the paperwork.  As children and teenagers most people have best friends, but as you get older and start a family it can be difficult to maintain ties with friends.  I remember my grandmothers best friend Sue.  I met her a few times when I was still in my single digits. My grandmother used to talk about her a lot and I could sense they shared a close bond.

Gayle said she has never been jealous of Oprah's success and has always been happy with her own life.  She feels like she has always stood in Oprah's light and never in her shadow.  If that's not a true testament to friendship I don't know what is.



Grandma and Sue