Jl....the tears are just rolling down my cheeks.
What a magnificent piece of writing, oh I just instantly got it: to take a moment and pause and take it all in before we move forward - correcting our path and finding a better balance, instead of veering way to the right or way to the left.
I will NEVER forget this story - one of the most touching stories I've read on Medium.
Like you, I do write stories "that brought hope, and learning, into relationships I shared with living beings."
It's such a pleasure meeting you!
I'm a new fan!