It was the best of times and
the worst of times…if there ever was a statement that personified my
relationship with Randy that would be it.
And I would guess you all would relate to that as well. Thank you Charles Dickens for the perfect
opening line!
That said, I wouldn’t trade in our friendship for all of the money in
the world. And anyone that was close
with Randy knows exactly what I mean. He
was the most thoughtful, generous and loving friend one could ask for. He would do anything for someone he
loved. I’ve never in my entire life had
a friend that I felt had my back more than Randy. He said what he thought without thinking about consequences and after the fight we moved on.
When he loved he loved with all of his heart
and soul. There was never a doubt in my
mind that he would always be there if I needed him even over the last decade
that we weren’t close. I’m totally 100%
sure that if I said I needed him for anything he would do it in a flash. For me the word that exemplifies Randy is
authentic.
The passion and intensity that he brought to
our friendship is the way he lived his life.
Whether it was his relationships or business or his travels if he did
it, it was big, it was bold, it was explosive and for the good and not as good
that was Randy.
Right after we met he invited
me to a Billy Joel concert. He picked me
up at my showroom on a motorcycle…I was like WTF??? And that ride took us through decades of
shared B’days with Alan, Patrick & Mitch as we all turned the next age one
after the other. There were many Sunday
night dinners that we all cooked together, a few weekend trips all disasters at
the time but somehow became fond memories for both of us and many, many gift
shows with all of us together and…. sadly too many scares where we were rushing
him to the hospital. Somehow we always
found a way to find a laugh when he was sick.
One time he was in the hospital and opened his eyes, looked at me and
said “while you’re here maybe you can find a cute Dr” or joking how we had seen
the inside of so many hospitals we could write a book or do a tour of the best
and worst hospitals in LA. Only with
Randy could you be in a hospital room terrified and worried yet finding the
humor and laughing together.
Last but not least, we all
know when Randy got something in his head it became an action, a decisive and
often spontaneous action. So when he
decided to get me a dog for my 29th B’day he didn’t ask if I wanted
a dog or if I wanted a dog what kind dog I might want he just said “get in the
car, we’re going to pick up your B’day present”. We arrived at his friend Glen’s house to find
Jack Russell Terrier Puppies, we left with my Sadie. What a perfect gift, she loved me and brought
me so much joy and pleasure (just like Randy) but she couldn’t argue with me
like Randy! The dots that connect the
best things in my 20’s and 30’s will always link Randy in some way and all the
good and joy and love he brought to my life will give me comfort until my last
breath. He’s gone from this earth but
he’ll never be gone from our hearts.
