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coffee breaks · locking lips · meditate on it · go pink!<br />
The Magic of Friendship<br />
Glenda Fauntleroy and Jacquelineand<br />
boosts immunity. ªIt's satisfying to<br />
Henry became friends in 1985, know you have someone who knows you<br />
as freshmen at Howard Univer- well enough to question you,º Fauntleroy<br />
sity. A recent study says the ensuingsays.<br />
Watson agrees: ªBlack women know<br />
years of shared laughter, laments and life how to do friendships.º<br />
lessons may help them live longer. Because black women tend to be<br />
Australian researchers observed 1,477 builders of community networksÐa<br />
elderly and found those with strongfunction<br />
researchers of social structures in<br />
friendships were at lower risk of deathNew<br />
York City's Harlem neighborhood<br />
during the 10-year study period thanhave<br />
called ªkinworkºÐwe may benefit<br />
peers who socialized only with their chilparticularly<br />
from sisterly support.ªSlavery<br />
dren and other relatives. One possible and racism, ironically, reinforced friend-<br />
reason, suggests Marlene Watson, Ph.D., ships between black women. We have<br />
a therapist in Philadelphia, is that friendsformed<br />
life-saving friendships that buffer<br />
tend to reflect each other's individuality us against life's storms,º Watson notes.<br />
and values in ways related folks may not. How do you deepen your own close<br />
ªYou don't get to choose your family, but connections? ªIt takes effort to be a good<br />
your friends, you do,º she says. And a true friend, to share the ups and downs. Once<br />
homeslice is there to talk about worries, you have that, and trust, the friendship<br />
frustrations and joys, which reduces stress can last,º Henry says. ÐM.C.Tapera<br />
YOU, FIRST!<br />
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2006 · HEARTANDSOUL.COM 1 5
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