24 Comments
May 24, 2023Liked by Stefene Russell

Perfect story Stef. Compassion is the part of being human that we forget to see. Then we become cynical and hopeless losing our ability to act with joy towards justice and wonder. Great way to start my day.

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May 30, 2023Liked by Stefene Russell

Thanks to you, and Ruthie, for flushing the pollen out of my eyes this morning.

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May 25, 2023Liked by Stefene Russell

Bravo

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Dang, Stef, that was a ride. I’m not crying, we’re all crying!

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May 24, 2023Liked by Stefene Russell

Great story Stef!!

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You wanted to make me cry today!

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May 24, 2023Liked by Stefene Russell

I, too, am crying. The story itself is enough to jerk tears -Ruthie Miller overcoming a disability that could’ve destroyed a child-but then there is the hardened journalist, an awakened community. And it is moving in every way. But then there’s the level of psychopomp work that awakens her spirit by sharing her story. Reading this, no one will forget it or her anytime soon. So now, what is this, a new genre-psychopomp journalism? Not only is Ruthie alive in the reader’s consciousness, so is John Van Der Heide and the family and strangers who stepped up for her. Damn! Stefene, you nailed this! Now I’ve got to find a box of kleenex.

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Oh, the news story about her death really hit me. Ah, Ruthie...

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May 24, 2023Liked by Stefene Russell

...and this is why I love you.

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I AMNOT CRYING YOUARE. What an incredible story.

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author

Hi All! Before I jump in here, just wanted to apologize for the late reply — we were traveling yesterday.

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