One day a tough prospect called me at work to negotiate pricing on the design of a new book for her publishing company. She refused to reveal the title of the book for fear of someone stealing her idea. After a lengthy discussion, I felt sure this was going nowhere so, out of frustration, I blatantly told her that I couldn’t give her firm pricing without knowing more . . . but I promised that I would deliver my best work and that it would “knock her socks off.” There was silence and I was ready to let her go. Then she said calmly, “You are the person I am destined to work with on this project.” I was shocked. She opened up, let her hard edge down . . . and revealed that the title of her book was “Resumes that Knock Their Socks Off!” From that day, 20 years ago, Linda and I began creating and sharing and building a most-unlikely but legendary friendship. I grew to love her as a cherished flower in my garden among a few select friends whom I regard as my Sisters of the Heart. It feels as if our souls were intended to reunite in this lifetime. Destiny. In time, there was hardly a day in which Linda and I didn’t communicate by email, phone, or, more recently, via Skype and Facetime. We’d begun to sign off on our emails with “TBH&L” which was for “Teddy Bear Hugs and Love.” The first time she came to visit me in northern Wisconsin, Linda came off the plane with — what else? — a huge teddy bear, and she was laughing. You know, when Linda laughs, she also cries? I love that about her. Giggles then tears then giggles. Years ago, Linda and I met for several days at a spa in Minnesota. It was like a middle-school girls’ slumber party, our giggling into the wee hours. And we worked hard to learn new approaches to our fitness and wellness. Linda was dogged about her health and inspired me to make it a bigger priority. I know, you’re probably thinking: A lot of good that did her. But, you know what? We all got a bonus of two extra years with Linda because of her commitment to her personal health and her pursuit of alternative approaches to healing her illness. Two years ago JB was told to take her home, call hospice and get her affairs in order. I’ve never seen anyone so willing to try new things, so hopeful that one of those new things could change her outcome. Through it all, I believed in Linda. I knew at the depth of my being that she, of anyone I knew, could conquer this. And she would write her book entitled, “And They Were Wrong.” These last couple of years, I felt like an LSN cheerleader. I still do. Although I dearly miss our daily emails and phone chats, I feel Linda’s presence so strongly. Sometimes I awaken in the night and I hear Linda whispering, “You need to know I am fine. I am without pain. I am happy. I am content. And this place where I am is so beautiful.” Linda and I shared our most intimate secrets, we laughed about life and we cried about life. We could tell each other anything. I mean anything. And there was no judgement. What a rare gift that was. When Linda’s mother died, she called just to tell me. We didn’t exchange many words but there was a sense of comfort and knowing — something we both understood about how it feels to lose a mother. And, the quiet acceptance of it. This is what Sisters of the Heart do for each other. This is what we did for each other. Again and again. And we’d push each other to try new things. Linda blew me away when she, of Jewish faith, was curious and open enough to accept my invitation to attend our Christian-oriented Christmas Wassail dinner and concert. It was then that she became united with my family and loved also by my daughter and my husband. She’s a city girl, far from the outdoorsy northwoods girl I am, yet Linda totally embraced her adventures out to my little resort town in northern Wisconsin to hike the woods, explore islands on Lake Superior, and tube the wild rivers. She’d innocently ask if we should fear bears and I’d assure her we were safe. And she trusted me. She even trusted me to choose the paint colors for her new dining room, and the right backup system for her computer, and the prettiest new earrings, and the best recipe for her juicer. And I trusted her to guide me when I questioned my ability to make a wise decision. She helped me heal from chronic back pain by introducing me to new cutting-edge approaches. She listened and guided me when my heart ached over personal loss. And she bolstered me when I, her cheerleader, broke down mere weeks ago, telling her I didn’t want to lose her. She was like that. Always pouring her heart out. Always generous. Always there. Always. While celebrating the holidays in New York a few weeks ago with my family, my daughter pointed out a cuddly teddy bear in the pile of toys in our granddaughter’s playroom. She said that was the bear Linda sent when my granddaughter was born. Then she said that whenever my granddaughter plays with the bear they talk to her about Linda, Grandma’s friend, and how sweet it was that Linda gave her such a nice present. And so, the ripple effect of Linda’s love and generosity lives on. I see reminders of her every day. And I am so grateful. Thank you, JB, for sharing your sweet wife with me over all these years. Thank you, Linda, for sharing yourself with me.