When I think of the 30+ years that I have been friends with Marie, I think of the words of Kahlil Gibran:

"Your friend is your needs answered. He is your field which you sow with love and reap with thanksgiving.
And he is your board and your fireside. For you come to him with your hunger, and you seek him for peace.
When your friend speaks his mind you fear not the "nay" in your own mind, nor do you withhold the "ay." And when he is silent your heart ceases not to listen to his heart; for without words, in friendship, all thoughts, all desires, all expectations are born and shared, with joy that is unacclaimed. When you part from your friend, you grieve not; for that which you love most in him may be clearer in his absence, as the mountain to the climber is clearer from the plain. And let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit. for love that seeks aught but the disclosure of its own mystery is not love but a net cast forth: and only the unprofitable is caught. And let your best be for your friend. If he must know the ebb of your tide, let him know its flood also. For what is your friend that you should seek him with hours to kill?
Seek him always with hours to live. For it is his to fill your need, but not your emptiness. And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed."

Thank you, Marie, for the things you have taught me, the laughter you have brought me, the gratitude you 've inspired, and the visions you've shared. Your door, heart and hand have always been open for me throughout the years. May it always be so. I wish everyone could be as blessed as to have even one friend like you.

Marie is a true and wonderful friend who goes the extra mile for her friends. I count myself lucky to be among that number. She has been there for me when I really needed help. And I have been the happy recipient of many of her creations over the years. Among her many gifts to me (and this is only on the material plane) is a wonderful shisha belt that she hand stitched, a gorgeous (and warm!) hand knitted poncho, a lovely exotic beaded and crocheted head drape, and a fantastic macrame and beaded hand ornament! These things are precious but the best gift has been the gift of her time.....time to make these things and time to spend with me in good times and bad. She leads a very busy life. Her gift of time is a gift beyond price.