Do you know how powerful your comment is Arlene Lewis? If no, here’s the drill.

When a personal essay gets published, there’s a thrill — “They like me! They really like me!” (Background soundtrack: Metallica’s Sad But True.)

Then there’s a terror. “Why did I put my shit on blast? Is this truthtelling gonna be my lifetime cancer?” (Soundtrack: Jaws theme.)

Then there’s the trolls. “The lady doth protest…” (Soundtrack: whoopie cushion.)

And then, every once in a while, there’s something like this: “You have helped and deeply moved at least one person out here.” (Soundtrack: Alleluiah Chorus.)

And the fears dissipate like so much cigarette ash.

Thank you. Thank you. Much love.