Us!. Mary Anne Radmacher

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      First published in 2011 by Conari Press,

       an imprint of Red Wheel/Weiser, llc

       With offices at:

       665 Third Street, Suite 400

       San Francisco, CA 94107

       www.redwheelweiser.com

      Copyright © 2011 by Mary Anne Radmacher

       All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced

       or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,

       including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage

       and retrieval system, without permission in writing from

       Red Wheel/Weiser, llc. Reviewers may quote brief passages.

      ISBN: 978-1-57324-480-0

      Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

       available upon request

      Cover and text design by Liz Kalloch

       Typeset in Charlotte and American Typewiter.

      Printed in Hong Kong

       GW

       10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

      Just evoking the word calls to mind the

       many dear souls who have been called, “friend” in my life.

       In some instances it was just me and a friend. Sometimes

       there were a handful of us, and still other times there was

       a whole tribe of us. In all instances I recall the “us” of my

       friendships, and that is one of the sweetest elements. In

       that sense of “us” there is a certain strength. Such diverse

       people and yet each friendship has brought to my life a cer-

       tain strength and unique lessons and gifts.

       I cannot count the number of times I have moved. So

       many objects have come and gone though my possession.

       I can, however, walk you through numerous artifacts that

       each hold a profound history because they have each come

       to me through the hand of a friend. I have a book on friend-

       ship from Maureen in 1973. While Maureen no longer

       stands in my life that book remains on my shelf. A steadfast

       reminder of our time standing as friends – that book is a

       warm coat I can wear on cold days.

       May this book represent the treasured wealth you

       hold in the “us” of your friendships. May you use the

       abundance of thought and heart in these words as a

       way to reflect on your part in your friendships and gift

       and honor those who are a part of who you mean when

       you talk about “us.” When we have a circle of friends,

       we have more fun. We get more done, we feel and are

       stronger and we really do celebrate the power of

       our “us.”

      You hop?

      I'll skip.

      You jump?

       I'll fly.

      I fall?

       You'll catch me.