Four Fridays

How do you handle yourself while caring for a dying friend or loved one? Can you see past your own pain to the lighter inspirations that are there... if you only pay attention?
Author Cynthia Barlow explores the nature of life, love, loss and letting go, inspired by the passing of a friend taken by cancer. Four Fridays is full of gripping moments, laugh-out-loud reflections, and sassy insights as Barlow chronicles her friend's parting days and her own perceptions on finding purpose within pain. Bold and insightful, tender and lighthearted, Four Fridays will take you through the small delights and big decisions, the painful boundaries and celebratory bowel movements, the great purge and the final goodbyes on the road to peace.

An uplifting story that honors the four Fridays Cynthia spent with her friend and all the precious moments in between, Four Fridays will leave you feeling more invigorated about life itself-and more grateful for it.

"I read Four Fridays through tears of wonder-it is an unforgettable journey of illumination. You could not ask for a more astute witness to life and death than Cynthia Barlow." -Terri Cheney, author of New York Times bestseller Manic: A Memoir

"Four Fridays is beautiful and elegantly written. A memoir of deep friendship, loss and love. A must read for every woman rising above their circumstances."¿ -Stephanie Thornton Plymale, bestselling author, American Daughter

"A powerful read. I found myself laughing, crying, and flipping pages as fast as I could. This is a moving and compelling read. I highly recommend this book."¿ -Maureen Fisher, author, Fur Ball Fever

"Anyone who has had a friend or lost a friend, anyone who's wondered about the mysteries of life or wrestled with the finality of death, will be taken in by this poignant, unexpectedly funny and soul stirring memoir."¿ -Karen M. Black, author of Back to the Water

"A beautifully written book. You can truly hear the author's voice-in each word, sentence, paragraph, through each chapter-and you can feel her emotions, see her struggles and watch her rise above as she ignites all her reader's senses. ¿What a gift! I didn't want to put this book down."¿ -Michelle Valberg, Nikon Ambassador Canada, Canadian Geographic Photographer-in-Residence

"Four Fridays is a vividly touching account of love and loss, hope and fear, and ultimately, of growth. Cynthia's shameless honesty, clever humour and profound humanity propels the reader through their own journey of self-discovery. An absolute gem!"¿ -John Larsen, EVP Edelman, National Practice Lead, Crisis & Risk

"I'm clear that we'll all wind up dead one day. What I don't want is for anyone I care about to go there alone. This book has me realizing that I could actually develop the courage, caring and sense of humor to be present with someone who is slipping away, and perhaps thereby increase the odds that others will be there for me as well." -Dan Haygeman, International Effectiveness Coach

"An inspiring reflection of true friendship and a powerful reminder to pay attention to the time you have with those you love. In today's restless society, Four Fridays provides a stark reminder to relish the moment and not take the small things for granted. An amazing book!" -Louis Goldberg, President, VolitionU