MY WONDERFUL MEMORIES OF GEORGI

We bonded instantly when we first met! Georgi was 17 and I 18. I was babysitting with Greg Carlton a neighbor of Georgi’s. My sitting job was over and Georgi had graduated from high school. We both needed a place to live. Viola! Let’s be roommates. Being frugal I insisted on a cheap old brown stone 6-plex just off University Avenue. It didn’t take Georgi long to find the new apartment complex around the corner with all the parties. “This is where we need to live” she insisted paying no heed to the increase in rent to $125/month from our $75/month. This should have been my first clue that money management was not her long suit.

We spent wonderful fun years together as roommates (with me managing the finances). We both loved to walk and would walk home from our menial office jobs in downtown Mpls, crossing the railroad bridge spanning the Mississippi River. No, we never met a train!

These were years of antics and parties. For example, we attended a party in Edina one night. As the party progressed, attendees started to strip off the clothes. We looked at each other and said, “This is not what we signed up for.” Not having a ride and no money for a cab, we walked from Edina to University Avenue! A trek that took us all across Mpls arriving home about 6:00 am. Our excitement along the way was watching two flashers and laughing at them.

Georgi attained her dream of being a flight attendant with Northwest Airlines. This is how she met good friend Vicki. With that job, she moved to an apartment complex near the airport (called “swinging singles” at that time). And I moved to California. My move did not take and I moved back. True to Georgi’s generous heart, she took me in even though the one-bedroom apartment already had 3 flight attendants living there!

Georgi never met a stranger. The only reason I knew anyone was because Georgi was so social. I never met anyone who did not like her, a reflection of a good heart who always saw the best in someone. She gave me a life! Built up my self-esteem. She taught me how to have fun. I would not be the person I am today or had the wonderful life I have had without Georgi.

Georgi we all miss you and love you. Thank you for everything.