JUST KIDS,

Written by

Patti

The memoir begins In Central Park, where a recently homeless Smith meets a boy who offers to take her to get the free leftovers from a sandwich shop down the street. And from that deli a forever bond with Mapelthrope was formed. Following their relationship to their first ever apartment, to their tiny studios built above the howling streets of New York. From their first successes as an artist, and their most devastating failures, all the way to Mapelthrope’s battle with AIDs in that ended in 1989.

A beautiful story of love, art and friendship, this book has moved me to tears more times than I would like to admit. Reading the way that Smith and Mapelthrope truly cared for each other inspired me to look intentionally into all the magical aspects of my friendships. I’ve learned to appreciate those who fill our cup when it’s empty and clean our rooms when it’s messy, as those are the friendships that we should nurture most. Your early 20’s hold some of the most unprecedented social opportunities. We are constantly meeting new people, making new connections and finding ourselves in situations where we are forced outside our comfort zones. It is important in transformational times like these that we find someone who we can find comfort, familiarity, understanding and mutual respect in these unprecedented stages.

Smith found this in Maplethorpe, writing “we wanted, it seemed, what we already had, a friend to create with, side by side. To be loyal, yet free”. Throughout Smith’s book she emphasizes the importance of the loyalty between her and Mapelthrope, as it is what made her feel like she could expand into the art world.

Finding and nurturing true friendships are what give you the power to spark new fires. They are your homebase. Your greatest supporters. The people who give you the push to explore the uncharted.

Authored by Janisse Ray