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Varsha Shah's avatar

Your writing is utterly magical. I’m sorry you had to go through that horror but to describe the way agency was handed back to you was just so tender and warm and made me think of how I hope I can always be there in that way for my friends. I don’t know how you trained to write or think like this but it is beautiful.

Ron Colman's avatar

I fully agree and like how you captured it

Katie Heindl's avatar

Really kind, Varsha, thank you so much. I think being able to laugh, when it's possible, is always the way back to personal agency for me, and friends always know to find the humour even in the bleakest time.

Alex's avatar

Great, vivid, and powerful piece, Katie. Like Varsha, I'm so sorry about the horror you went through, but I'm so glad that Meli was there. She sounds like an amazing person, a gem. Someone our world needs more of.

Your article reminds me of how softness is strength. Compassion and kindness are strengths too and they, along with softness, bring beauty to our world.

I like how you show the contrast between the intensity of playoff basketball and the softness of the season.

"The barreling focus, the sharp intention, locked in at the end a season as another unfolds feathery, pliable, gutters flooded with lilac and crabapple blossoms that choke the sewers, wrecking the whole system in their deluge of softness." This is so beautifully said. I love the imagery. Softness is wonderful and brings so much light.

Sending you my support, Katie. All the very best. Your writing is invaluable and wonderful and you have a good and empathetic heart.

Ron Colman's avatar

Another gem. You’re reopening some basketball windows for me that I forgot were there, which ain’t trivial.

Katie Heindl's avatar

Thanks so much Ron, I'm happy to help crank those windows open where I can.

lou J's avatar

My oh my. What a stunning blend. I don’t follow or understand basketball like you. But I have been stunned to find myself grabbing hold of the Spurs/Thunder series, inside watching tv when the world looks and feels explosive with life outside. You help me make sense of this.