Oh dear Benighted, beautiful, amazing, charming, intelligent, gifted and compassionate Benighted --

I'm taken aback by this post of yours; as you know, I've been reading you for a year, so moved always by your wisdom and talent in your poetry and teachings, and yet keenly aware of how well you've protected yourself. I've imagined the "physical" you and the more I have - it's your soul that shines and slowly fades your face away - it doesn't matter who I can see - I feel we all see you in all you write and it's been a beautiful world to come to understand and know.

I realize it's but a glimpse still.

I have to remind myself often when I'm lost in the world of Medium and all the friends I've made; there is so much more to all of us, and yet we feel so close. We all write and share so much.

Thanks for the step you've taken to release this today. Last night I was in thought, as I had a conversation, well more a "tiff" with my husband who is fiercely private -- and it just got me thinking, "Why do some people (and he) have -- such a need to be so private?"

In fact, I wanted to write about it - just for me. Extremes are not good - and I think we both aim for the "middle" but when you lean on either side - the other one seems "extreme."

So it's timely to read this...you provide insight and it's good to understand more of you - and as a result, others.

Much love to you -and glad Bella and Michele encouraged you - two writers who also differ in how much they share.

It's a beautiful spectrum that we see here in Medium.

Have a wonderful week!