26/365 -- Crazy Guy

Worry about the quiet ones!! 4am, favorite time. "Walking on my ceiling," breaking cars, blowing up the University. Not enough 'evidence' for psychiatric care. Schizophrenic, off meds. Talking CONSTANTLY. Stuck in a basement apartment, carpet over the window. Scariest person, also saddest.

25/365 -- Traci G.

Two Cancers, separated at birth!!!! HOURS on the phone, telling of the same childhood. Sensitive, trusting (TOO trusting!), intelligent, creative! Boston (and Emily the incredible!), driving all night back from the Premiere. Fog, detours, the girls laughing at us! SISTERS!

24/365 -- Annie

Husbands-- the SBC. Without them, we would never have met!! Talented, kind, generous, thoughtful, giving. Second strongest woman I know. Polar Bear Plunge-- better you than me! Sandy's house, drive to Jersey-- NEVER take the GSP on a Saturday in July!!!

23/365 -- Sean

Sean, S-e-a-n. The necessary first introduction. The Transylvanian Vampire!! Car accident--broken back-- you didn't even know! Letting us park at your house. David's friend, always together. Seeming jokester, but serious underneath. Working hard, supporting yourself and going to school.

22/365 -- David

So tall, so 'tough' looking-- army jackets. Kind and sensitive soul. A teddy bear. So alone, family all gone. Artistic, creative (especially with music). Karate, which I loved-- sparring, which I hated. Rocky Horror-- what a Frank 'n Furter!

21/365 -- Cindy

Horses! Even allergies couldn't stop her. Sultan! Tears when he died. Sneaking out in 8th grade. To the stable! Peter Pan, Rashomon. The only one who truly understood. AMAZING artist. Cindy and David, inseparable... until they weren't. Riff Raff forever!

20/365 -- Jamie

Shy, not much confidence. The prettiest of all of us. Germany, London, Belgium. What a trip!!!!!!!!!!! Running all over London! 4th of July dinner!! 22 hours on a bus without being able to move. Always seeming sad. Kind and generous.

19/365 -- Ashley C.

Shy, quiet, hurt. SO smart! So generous! Wanted only to go on tour with mom and sister. Always felt left out. Who'd have thought she'd be the one to make it big? AMAZING talent!!! Finally, the confidence matches! Go, girl!

18/365 -- Mrs. G

My first boss. The best!!! Managed us high school and college kids like a pro! Nightmare on Elm Street, 'naughty' ice cream cakes decorated in the freezer away from eyes! Equestrienne daughter. Decided to really retire-- end of an era.

17/365 -- Theresa

High school. Good friends! Homeroon-- instant connection, taking the same classes! Babysitting her precious little sister! Her pride and joy! No-one else was good enough!! Junior year-- ignored. New friends, guess I wasn't good enough anymore. Never spoke again.

16/365 -- Melissa

Met through Susan. Didn't like each other at first. Surprise!! First day of high school, the two "F"s next to each other in homeroom!! Best friends!! Basketball team statisticians, travelling, Harry. Never knew her so happy!! Weekend video marathons!

15/365 -- Susan

My best friend from 1st grade on. The few of us with divorced parents stuck together. Taking the Strawberry Shortcut-- spending the afternoons together so we wouldn't be alone. Girl Scouts, catching crawdads. So beautiful-- cheerleader. So hurt, so lonely.

14/365 -- Mrs. Guard

6th grade... I get to be her assistant. Help her grade papers, whatever she needs. Kind, caring, amazing teacher!! Another reason I became a teacher-- to be as good as she was! Hope I helped with the work overload!

13/365 -- Mrs. Hall

First grade teacher. Forcing my sister not to use her left hand. Mother, furious. Two years later, I am in her class. Good thing I already knew how to read! One of the reasons I became a teacher-- to be better.

12/365 -- A stranger

Waffle House. Paula and I, stopping on the way to Hebrew class, enjoying breakfast. Wonderful 'neighbors,' a really nice conversation. A random act of kindness-- "The bill has been paid." I do my best to try to pay it forward.

11/365 -- Aunt Ruth

Sis's namesake. Kind and giving. Stayed on the farm to care for her father. Giving up Harry, finding him many years later. I wore my favorite blue dress to your wedding, and was so happy. Only a few years together.

9/365 -- Uncle Ben

From Lithuania-- Latvia? I never could remember. Escape from Europe-- no words about WWII, ever. Creative, kind, comforting. One of the best jewelry designers I've ever seen. Baby rings for all of his girls. Sunday afternoons, spent listening and talking.

7/365 -- JP

Drunk. "Fix me another one!" Pain, covered with alcohol. Waiting for hours, but he never comes. "I love you," ONCE. Sadness at what might have been, what he chose to give up. Promises made, unkept. Destroying himself, dying too young.

6/365 -- Dave

Radio deejay. Pervert extraordinaire. How many little girls? Two who called for a song. My sister kept me safe. He chose Susan-- an only child, alone, desperate for a father's love. Should I tell? Fired-- but then what? And WHO?

5/365 -- Grandmother

Classy, strong, a working mother before they were common. From juvenile court to upscale fashion buyer! Wanted her own antique store, and began collecting. I still regret that dream didn't come true. Christmas dinners, twin presents for Michelle and me.