Hi, Brooke. What a really lovely, heartwarming comment. I, personally, think there’s a whole lot about me that’s “backwards” but maybe I just need eleven more years of therapy for a perspective change.

I certainly hear you about hiding from dark realities and being frightened by human fragility. I tend to gravitate towards dark and fragile — I find a lot of beauty and hope in moments and places and feelings like that.

I’m really moved that this essay resonated with you so, and I hope you and your mother are doing okay and enjoying brighter days. All my best, Gabe.