He is back, and we are so glad. In 2014, Richard Simmons disappeared. Rumors flew. He was dead (not true), had joined a monastery (not true), was being held captive for a large ransom (not true). Two female housekeepers were taking care of him along with a male bodyguard (no word if that was true or not). Last week, a celebrity tour bus passed his home. Richard comes running out, waving, yelling. He went over to the bus and offered handshakes and hugs. This is the Richard I know and love.

Over the years, I spent many hours with Richard. Many times it was because I was hosting a talk show he was on. He was the perfect guest — bouncy, lively, funny and with a message about weight loss. Richard was discovered when he was running a fitness studio attended by many "General Hospital" stars. They decided he would be perfect as a recurring character. He was so funny. Soon, he had people all over the world sweating to the oldies. David Letterman had him on dozens of times. Letterman treated him like a joke. As they say, he was laughing all the way to the bank.

Weight loss was no laughing matter. At one point, he weighed over 300 pounds. Unhappy with himself, he started a rigorous dieting plan. A plan he said he would not recommend for anyone.

I only recall him being demanding one time. He wanted a copper bowl for his demonstration. He was not going to go on if he did not have one. A copper bowl appeared and all was right in his dieting world.

He was infamous for giving great gifts. One talk show host, not me, was given a three-caret diamond ring. I did get a copy of his diet.

One day, I was eating a tuna salad sandwich. He grabbed it out of my mouth and flipped it on the floor. OK. He replaced it with a salad. I am not a salad person. Around Richard, I was.

One of my favorite memories of Richard was at an amusement park. He was schlepping a five-foot dog mascot.

He looked at me and said, "See, everyone follows me." I said, "Richard, you might get less attention if you put down the dog." He did not. He loved the attention. He would have been noticed without the dog. He wore a long T-shirt, baggy short-shorts and a smile. Always a smile. He knew talks show hosts treated him poorly. He did not care. "Every time I go on a talk show someone will decide it is time to lose weight. On my program or another one." Welcome back, Richard.

To find out more about Lynda Hirsch and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.