See Jane Mark A Milestone

Last Saturday, Keith, Ronnie, Jeff and I motored to Prairie Village to help the incomparable Jane Durr mark a milestone: our girl turned 70 years young. It was a great opportunity to pay tribute to a lady who does so much for the rest of us. Jane's friend Rhea hosted the soiree at her daughter's lovely home. We munched on yummy barbecue and potato salad after learning their would be no buns, which Jane believed was due to Rhea's German heritage....it's a cultural thing, Jane assured us. Jane was treated to a delicious birthday cake and for her gifts, she requested a simple favorite and then received them in spades: Dove chocolates. Inevitably, Jane told some of her famous stories which also inevitably had us in stitches.

Towards the end of the evening, Jane was surprised with a special gift....a DVD look back at her life which Rhea and Julia created for her. It was an honored delight for all of us to view...photographs chronicling her life with her family, her days in New York, her beloved husband Tony and all of her treasured pooches. There was one photograph of her younger days that took our breath away. It turned out to be the first photo Tony had taken of her and she was stunning; we thought she resembled Jean Seberg in Breathless. In the end, Jane was touched by all of the attention and generosity but no less grateful than we all are to have her in our lives.

I won't speak for everyone, but I can't easily sum up that gratitude for Jane's presence in my life. She's an irreplaceable friend...the kind who helps out compatriots and strangers alike. She hosts wonderful parties at her gorgeous home.....be it farewells, baby or wedding showers or intimate dinner parties; all are memorable. Jane loves her furry friends equally as much. She speaks eloquently of all of her beloved pups including how a certain Irish setter's body part caught the sunlight when he ran. Jane tells amazing stories about her very storied life. She's the perfect guest; the kind that always brings the fun.










The happiest of birthdays to you, lovely Jane....as you look back at those treasured moments of your life, know that you are treasured in ours.