You know, brother, I didn't read compassion fatigue into your story about your cousin and your aunt's funeral, but of course it's there. You employed so much compassion in the telling that I distanced myself from the emotions within the story somehow. I'll have to go back and reread that with fresh eyes.

And my appreciation for our conversation around this exceeds the note I included at the bottom, as you know. I couldn't have gotten to this piece without your feedback and insight, because I was trying to say far too many things (because I'm still trying to wrap my mind around the significance of this experience). I hope some readers read the comments, too, so they'll know how much you helped shape this into the emotion-forward, vulnerable piece that it is. And let's be honest, it took a couple of hours from your life! I'm grateful for them.

See you soon.