Linda Heller (now Gila Lane) and Diana Kresh (now Diana Lesser) graduated together from Great Neck North Senior High School in 1960. Over the years, they’ve stayed close, maintaining a bond that has weathered the many changes in their lives.

In 1970, Gila and her husband, Paul Block, moved to Los Angeles. Their journey took them up and down the West Coast, living in cities like Vancouver, BC, San Francisco, and eventually settling in Portland, Oregon, in 2006. Meanwhile, Diana remained in New York until this year, when she relocated to Pennsylvania.

Their enduring friendship took a creative turn in 1977 when Gila wrote a whimsical morality poem about a snail and a slug. She sent it to Diana with a request to illustrate it. While they both led busy lives, juggling family and work, the poem and its potential as a children’s book remained a cherished idea.

Fast forward to this year: Gila closed her art gallery in Portland and decided it was finally time to bring their book to life. With Diana on board and Gila’s newly established publishing company, Gila Lane Publie, the duo worked tirelessly to complete their project. The result is W.C. Snail & Mable Slug, a delightful tale that is now available on Amazon.

This collaborative effort is a testament to their friendship and shared creativity, proving that some dreams are worth waiting for.