We go through life, blessed with special friends. Some friendships are lifelong, with the bond of shared memories. Others we only have for a season, put together by God for his purpose and with enough love and friendship to last a lifetime. Linda and I met because of our shared dedication to adoption and deepened our friendship as we encouraged each other through the highs and lows of both our professional and personal experiences. In this year since her passing, the grief is still fresh but I find myself comforted more now by the sweet memories and spend less time asking "Why?" Sending my love to all of her family and to all of those who, like me, feel especially blessed to have known such a courageous and gracious individual. Thinking of You all, Mary Brown