I will always think of one million zinnias when I look at this illustration for my book, US! CELEBRATING THE POWER OF FRIENDSHIP.

I asked my friend, Kathleen, to help me choose between several very colorful illustration s of mine.  She immediately selected the zinnias.  When I attended her wedding it became very clear why this whimsical rendering of a zinnia was her choice.

She married her dearest friend.  And they planned an outdoor wedding.  She wanted to have zinnias surround the area where they would have their ceremony.  When she told me the question he asked her, I burst into tender tears.

“Do you think a million zinnia seeds will be enough?”  That man planted a quarter of a mile of zinnias in a swath that was ten feet wide.  It was one of the most visual, viable and memorable demonstrations  of friendship I have ever seen.  I hope the zinnias on the cover of my book on friendship will remind you of some extraordinary expression of friendship.

US! Is formally celebrating its release this week.  If you are inclined to be thinking of holiday gifts…let me suggest this little volume would be awesome for your best pals.

Quarrel with a friend – and you are both wrong. – Lao-tse –

Friendship is a horizon – which expands whenever we approach it.  – E.R. Hazlip

Friendship bridges the gap between what things are and what they could be. – Roger Holmes –

I do not give lectures or a little charity.  When I give, I give myself. – Walt Whitman –