The very first testimonial I wrote for Diana, was quite some time ago. And I think she is due for an 'update'. So. Here we are. It's been a few years, and I have come to treasure your presence in my life. You started out as a simple 'ally' in dance, and have grown to be... my friend... my confidant... my teacher... my student... my business partner... my cassata cake provider... my road trip/air trip companion... and, my soon my ATS partner in crime... my inspiration... my reassurance... my fellow mindless entertainment junkie... and, my sister.

Honestly, I can't even imagine life without you. We've been through so much together - good, bad, really bad, and fiercely fabuous. We've fought the forces of evil together, in Ptolus , and on TeH InTraWeb. We've obsessed over costuming together. We've found solace and peace together. We've stood strong together -- even when people really tried to shake of off the platform. As far as friendship goes... you're a 'soul mate' - and an 'Anam Cara' ...

"Your “Anam Cara” always accepts you as you truly are, holding you in beauty and light. In order to appreciate this relationship, you must first recognize your own inner light and beauty. This is not always easy to do. The Celts believed that forming an “Anam Cara” friendship would help you to awaken your awareness of your own nature and experience the joys of others." -- you've taught me how to recognize my inner light and beauty. You've helped me stay sane, and you've keep my eyes open.

You're an amazing, beautiful, wise, funny, kind woman, with a warrior's spirit, a faerie's passion, and a heart of gold. Sometimes I worry about what maybe up ahead ... but when I stop and think I have friends like you to walk beside me down that road, my fear subsides. "Samantha is my friend. She's my family. My insides. She will be fine because she has to be fine. That's how important she is to me." ~ Carrie ... I look forward to many, many more years of memories, moments, laugher, tears, DANCE, casatta cakes, holidays, milestones, successes, magic... and friendship.

oxox
Boo

All this time I thought I had written you a testimonial already! Jeesh!

Well, my Diana, you are such a beautiful person inside and out. You are one of the few people I can say really "shines"- you radiate such magic and positive energy. It's great just to be around you. You are an amazing dancer and I can see how much you love what you're doing when you're performing. I am so glad you are my friend! I just wish we lived closer so we could hang out more often.

Diana is a special and wonderful sister!! though i do not know her in person i do know her spirit!!! she rocks and has the best eyes ever!!! what ever man gets lost in those will never want to come out.... :) we will meet some day!!! promise!!!

Diana... my shimmering 'red star' ... :)

You... started out as an 'acquaintance' (due to past mutual contacts) who I just happened to have a ridiculous amount in common with (and the same exquisite taste in clothing, music, art, make-up, COSTUMING, and, oh hell... pretty much every-effin-thing else!!) - and then, something magical happened.

We became friends.

I have to say that in all my years of being in the performing arts arena, I have seen people come, and I have seen them go. I've had my share of tears over endings, and unfairness, but you... and your friendship, you seem to erase all of those negative moments and circumstances. You are a guardian angel, a source of wisdom and encouragement... not to mention inspiration and motivation. You are talented beyond that which you are even aware of. And... you are a truly genuine human being, with a ginormous heart of gold that has no limits.

Where have you been all my life, my little 'Anam Cara' ?? And what took you so long to appear in my window??

We have both been through so many of the same hardships. We have both been unfairly judged and blamed. We have been the target of other people's unhappiness (with themselves and their unsatisfying, miserable lives), and we have heard it all (boy and how), and all I can say to that all is this...

... if that's part of what bought us together... I'd like to thank all the 'negativity' for helping us find one another. And, it's safe to say that these words, are our 'motto' ... because we just seem to keep on rising... TOGETHER :)


"You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise."

-Maya Angelou




-Leslie (Parivash) ... or for you, 'Boo'

PS: YOU are BEAUTIFUL, my dancing Sister. The Faeries have blessed you. If can be seen in your smile, and heard in your charming (and contagious) laugh :)

Any "Daddy's Girl" is a friend of mine. (My Dad is my favorite person in the world too.)

You were an absolute pleasure to meet, thank you for the reminder to keep dance about love.

Diana,

Has a spirit of light and of giving.

If only we were all able to have teachers as warm, loving and encouraging as her...

Diana reaches out and connects no matter the distance.

She is lit from within and anyone caught in her light is warmed in its glow :)