Diana Forever

When I was 19 years old, a college student in NYC, I met a goddess. I was with my best friend, Annette, shopping at Bloomingdale's on Third Avenue.

I was standing around waiting for Annette who was busy looking at shoes. Suddenly, I saw this woman coming toward me. She had nice hair that fell in soft curls around her light cocoa face. She didn't have on much make up, so you could see that the skin around her nose and cheeks were covered with freckles. She was beautiful, and I recognized her from somewhere, but I couldn't quite place her. Until she was right in front of me. As she passed by, I gasped. It was Diana Ross! All by herself, at the height of her career, shopping in Bloomingdale's.

Once I got over the shock, I followed her, of course. I stood next to her as she perused a shoe display. I tried not to be to obvious, but I kept looking at her out of the corner of my eye. My heart was beating so fast and loud, she must have heard it. She turned to me, flashed that dazzling smile with a gazillion teeth and simply said, "Hello." I said, "Hello, I love you." And she replied with a giggle, "I love you, too."

It was too much for me to bear. I just turned and ran away. This goddess, this angel, this symbol of success, talent and tenacity, had just spoken to me. And she was so kind and real. Annette and I went downstairs to the department where they sold furniture, and jumped up and down on a bed, laughing and ki-ki-ing. LOL

That was such a long time ago, but I will never forget that starstruck moment. When I saw this lovely photograph of Diana this morning, it bought back all the memories. Yeah, I know there are a lot of haters out there (Kirk Albert?) who love to put her down, but she is an icon. No, she's not a perfect person, but what icon is?

I still love you, Miss Ross. And I always will.