My sweet Dorothy
My dear, dear Dorothy, My greatest joy is that we were finally able to meet and drink coffee together in real life. Little did I know that our first time sitting together would also be our goodbye. You brought so much hope into my life during one of my darkest periods—me, and everyone else who received your poems written on the cards you sent us. Each one was a quiet act of love. I am writing to you here because this is where we met. This is where we found each other: me, writing about war; you, grieving your friend. You emailed me and told me about the poem you had written. You told me my writing was beautiful. You told me to have hope—that a better future was ahead. When I told you I was organizing a TEDx event, you said you wanted to help. You said you wanted to send us your poem. I still remember what my colleagues said when I told them a woman from across the sea wanted to send us her poem of love. “Why?” “Because she is kind. Because she is loving.” And so you did. Holding ...