The Importance of Friends

Any woman who sews or knits, or weaves, blends colors in a tapestry

or creates a patchwork quilt, 

knows by the feel

that a single thread is weak

but the weaving,

the blending,

the intertwining with many others makes it strong.

Any woman alone 

without friends

to sustain her,

to nurture and support, 

to hold with loving arms,

like a single thread, is weak.

But the weaving,

the loving,

the nurturing of others,

the networks of friendship

makes her strong.

-Barbara, The Kinship of Women