22 Comments
User's avatar
Tom Schell's avatar

Oh my goodness Teri you wrote a masterpiece of hardened emotion. Don't know where you found the strength to write these words. Words of hope. Words of longing. Words of peace and courage. Bless you.

Teri Leigh 💜's avatar

Thank you Tom. This one woke me at 1:30am this morning. It taunted me until I finally gave in and got up at 3:30am to write. It spilled out of me.

Pamela Schmid's avatar

So beautiful and moving. The gentleness emanates from that boy. Your words about him will stay with me.

Teri Leigh 💜's avatar

He's not a boy anymore. 25years old...and clearly sitting in power. I just want to hug him again.

Pamela Schmid's avatar

A powerful, self-possessed young man. I hope you will be able to hug him one day.

Teri Leigh 💜's avatar

from what I remember (vividly) he is a really good hugger. I remember how he just wrapped me up in the giant pillow of himself.

CJ's avatar

Beautiful -- and heartbreaking at the same time. My hope is that the photo came into your life with a higher purpose; that a shared passion for humanity can bring reconnection and unity to three broken but loving hearts. 💜💜💜

Teri Leigh 💜's avatar

I'm hoping somehow he gets a copy of this article and reaches out.

Nancy Elder's avatar

I love his smile. And his face. And his demeanor. What a lovely boy.

Teri Leigh 💜's avatar

He's a special one.

Lightonecandle resists's avatar

Could you possibly write one of these things without pulling tears to my eyes and my heart swelling all up?? Rainy. Like a rainy day. Jeez

Teri Leigh 💜's avatar

@Lightonecandle resists - I can’t help it. I have so many contradictory emotions running through me these days. Thanks for sharing tears with me. it’s always better to cry in community.

Lisa's avatar

Beautifully written! Thank you for sharing his story!

Teri Leigh 💜's avatar

thank you, I do believe this is some of my best writing. the symbolism and extended metaphor here really surprised me as it came out.

Sarah. Just Add Hyperfocus's avatar

Just - WOW! 💜🤗💜

Teri Leigh 💜's avatar

that's what I thought! thanks for always reading Sarah. I appreciate you.

Sarah. Just Add Hyperfocus's avatar

☺️

MM's avatar

I think a couple of the Fat Boys are in awe.

Teri Leigh 💜's avatar

one thing I always admired about Rainy is how comfortable he is in his body. He owns it. and here, he made it work to his purpose in such a beautiful immoveable way.

Krikit's Songs's avatar

That's a great ... painting?

Teri Leigh 💜's avatar

I uploaded a screenshot of the video…finding the exact moment where Rainy smiled, and asked AI to turn it into a watercolor image for me.

Vicky Niemann's avatar

This touched my heart. 💕