Recently, I grabbed coffee with one of my dearest friends, Molly, who I have known since our carefree days at Bacich Elementary School in Kentfield. We are now in our 30s. It’s been amazing to see our friendship deepen over the years, and to be there for each other through all of life’s stages: the good, the hard and the in-between. While reflecting on this friendship, and the many wonderful memories I have tied to it, I want to know what you think of when you hear the word “friendship.”

What’s a memorable, funny or good memory you have with a friend? Is there a friendship you’d like to honor? What do you look for in a good friend? When’s a time you’ve been a good friend or someone’s been a good friend to you? Whatever comes to mind surrounding friendship, I’d love to know.

Please make it a six-word story, a personal short story, with a beginning, middle and end — not six adjectives, not a cliche and not advice. Make us laugh or cry or at the least feel something. For an example, here is the famous story attributed to, but not proven to be written by, Ernest Hemingway: “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” That’s quite the story! Need more examples? “It can’t be. I’m a virgin,” writes Kate Atkinson. “Set sail, great storm, all lost,” says John Banville.

If you want your story to run in the IJ, please:

• Write “Six-word story” in the subject line

• Send one six-word story. Just one

• Include your full name and Marin town in the body of the email, no attachments

• Write your short story in the body of the email, no attachments

• Use proper punctuation and spelling

• Use sentence style in one line

• It should not rhyme

• Do not submit six adjectives — that’s not a story

Please send to lifestyles@marinij.com by Aug. 16 and look for it in the Aug. 27 lifestyles section and online.

Recently, we asked IJ readers to share their summer memories or summer plans. Here’s what they had to say.

Memorable family vacations in Kihei, Maui! — David Reinstein, San Anselmo

Summer freedom means socks not necessary. — Pamela Lunstead, Novato

Worrying about our country’s future democracy. — Dr. Hank Simmonds, Kentfield

Not commenting back to Nextdoor messages.

— Carolyn Del Gobbo, Terra Linda

Uphill climb: mountain bike bebop scales. — Marc Sawyer, San Rafael

Salty cold water dipping in Marin! — Beth Zamichow, San Rafael

Run, kick the can and hide. — Kimberley Winslow, Larkspur

Annual Russian River vacations in cabins. — Mary Ann Gallardo, San Rafael

Summer three Rs: relaxation, reading, recreation. — Michael Ardito, Fairfax

Go to Stinson Beach to sunbathe. — Heike Dittrich-Kruljac, Corte Madera

My long underwear goes into storage. — Linda Varonin, Corte Madera

Camping, cooking over an open fire. — John Johnson, Corte Madera

Lake dock, wet feet, night stars. — John Wheelock, Novato

Summer is nectarine deliciousness, popsicle’s lifespan. — Laura Toland, Sausalito

Farmers market pits people with produce. — Mike Menius, Novato

Surfing many beaches in Southern California. — Bob Chilvers, Mill Valley

Somersaults down grassy slope — fireworks picnic. — Jeri Sternenberg, Mill Valley

Courageously plunging into Limantour’s frigid surf.

— David Gilbert, Santa Venetia

Summer salads, potluck with good friends. — Kay Noguchi, Terra Linda

Starting fresh. Playing in the sun. — Victoria Worch, Novato

Brighton Beach; Coney Island Steeplechase — fuhgeddaboudit! — RG Langenhan, San Rafael

Dirt, seeds, water, sunshine, love, tomatoes! — Barbara Dubbs, Mill Valley

Grandmothers’ farm, feeding chickens, collecting eggs. — Antoinette DeLucchi, San Rafael

First kiss, first love, best summer! — Barbara Grieco, Mill Valley

Surf some waves, eat some barbecue. — Alan Harris, Mill Valley

Meeting first handsome husband-to-be at 15. — Evelyn Riebe, Mill Valley

“A Summer Place” by Percy Faith. — Sergio Franco, San Rafael

Seven-day family hike in Yosemite. — Sue Beittel, San Rafael

Compass error, Scouts hiked 136 miles.

— Kent Royle, San Rafael

Coney Island trip with Uncle Eddie. — Marcia Naomi Berger, San Rafael

Sunny deck, coffee, newspaper. Summer delight. — Richard Schneider, San Rafael

Hot afternoon, plunge into Sierra snowmelt. — Erin Royle, San Rafael

Fresno summer, hot; sprinkler grass, cool. — Diane Ryken, Novato

Cousin Dal spilled the mustard again! — Gigi Zavagno, Novato

The Catskills at Swan Lake Mansion. — Terry Bremer, Lucas Valley

Water-skiing at sunset in Wisconsin. — Patrick Ritter, San Rafael

Beach, siblings, sandcastles. Diving through waves.

— Ann Reppun, Terra Linda

Long bicycle rides, fireflies, sweet corn. — Michelle Fouts, San Rafael

Summer stoop; family band; neighbors delight. — Janine A. Bradley, Novato

Watering my yard all the time. — Ronald Duben, Lucas Valley

Up the Delta: blackberries, crawdads, sailing! — Elaine C. Johnson, Greenbrae

Eight years old: swimming, hiking, horses. — Pam Berkon, Novato

Family, barbecue, concerts, taking a class. — Tom Eller, WoodacreGreat summer trips to Lake Tahoe. — Marie Lazzari, Novato

Lake Sullivan: my Minnesota summer home. — Cece Jonsen, Novato

Tower Bridge: chance meeting to marriage. — Kevin Lozaw, San Anselmo

Eating fresh picked tomatoes, pickling cucumbers.

— Cynthia Sapp, Terra Linda

Forehands fly, outdoor jams, one goodbye. — Lisa Essa, Tiburon

Chasing lightning bugs: a Midwestern summer. — Michell Drake, Novato

Easy answer, Hawaii with kids, grandkids! — Susan Storch, Greenbrae

Stinson love: cold water, warm heart. — Elida Doldan-Schujman, Mill Valley/Stinson Beach

U.S. and Mexico 1960, by car. — David S. Walker, Belvedere

Calligraphy camp, silent scriptorium, bonfire drumming. — Caroline McKinnon, Novato

Central Valley heat. Swamp cooler. Popsicles.

— Gigi Bibeault, Terra Linda

School’s out, recreation, relaxation and rejuvenation! — David Leipsic, San Rafael

Got the hell out of Florida. — Carole Bonhomme, Greenbrae

No mail in Bolinas. DeJoy smiling. — Hilary Winslow, Bolinas

Our kids swimming at Lake Almanor. — Nancy Rademacher, Corte Madera

Chasing fireflies under the night sky. — Mary Metzger Lis, San Anselmo

Camp Taylor: Father’s Day family picnics. — Ed and Marilyn Schulze, Novato

Quiet morning, sunshine cycling, watermelon friendships. — Suzanne Aranson, Novato

Water-skiing on the Mississippi River — challenging! — Dottie Breiner, San Rafael

Family picnic celebrating 70th birthday. — Lucille Herger, Novato

Early morning water-skiing on glassy lake. — Gail Consulter, Mill Valley

Lunch on beach with friends and dogs.

— George McLaird, Tiburon

A restful three-month pause from teaching. — Ann Woodward, Greenbrae

I can get across town faster. — Holly Hadlock, Mill Valley

Fifties: Water-skied Tahoe, no wet suit. — Yvonne Guenza, Terra Linda

Pine scent, glimpse of blue: Tahoe! — Karen Hazlehurst, San Rafael

Fog pouring over the distant hills. — Roberta Keller, Mill Valley

Laguno cooling bunions under Tam’s shadow. — Paula Nielsen, Corte Madera

Adirondack Mountains, and lakes, were perfect! — Nancy Greenfield, Larkspur

Orioles and grosbeaks sing in summer. — Madeline Kellner, Novato

Summertime, and the living is easy. — Dart Cherk, Mill Valley

Shaved ice, scooping goldfish, Yukata-clad, Bonodori. — Miki Chavez, San Rafael

Longer days; illusions of more time. — Dave Powell, Novato

Summer skies and the living’s easy. — Janet Lee Benjamin, Tiburon

Exploring island of Moorea on moped. — Katherine Ware, Kentfield

Binoculars spotted red above; found it! — Stephanie Farac, Novato

Childhood: spitting watermelon seeds with brothers. — Gail Cassee, Mill Valley

Nat Cole ballad, summer moon sighed.

— Dee Fratus, Larkspur

Swimming everyday at La Jolla Shores. — Marty Barry, Novato

Warm breeze caresses curtains, sleeping in. — Laura Call, San Anselmo

Beach ambitions, but college apps prevailed. — Ann Basco, Corte Madera

Summer is overrated; excited for autumn! — Courtney Sadowski, San Anselmo

Dipsea, then Deuce, burrito: summer perfection! — Kermit R. Kubitz, Larkspur

County fair, dancing my tush off. — Gailya Magdalena, Lucas Valley

Long days, neighborhood kids playing baseball. — David Curtis, Novato

Summertimes before leaf blowers became prolific. — Mary Geving, Woodacre

It’s my July birthday, of course! — Kate Martin, San Rafael

Wake. Screen, scream! Water, full, dream. — Katie Tobes, San Rafael

Cool mornings, hot afternoons, enjoyable evenings. — Sharon Eide, Novato

Zephyr Cove Beach, dawn to dusk! — JD Moore, San Rafael

We played in creeks all summer. — Billie Forer, San Rafael

Riding the Ferris wheel at the fair. — Karen Zizzo Kempf, Novato

Yosemite: caught first fish, watched firefall. — Arlene Hansen, Novato

Got fog. Hell with air conditioning. — Skip Corsini, San Rafael

Swimming at Doane’s Falls, the best. — Dennis Brouillet, Novato

Outdoor cooking, sun-warmed tomatoes, cold wine. — Susan Savage, Novato

Cold drinks with my hot wife.

— Scott Kempf, Novato