#373: SPOTLIGHT: Benji Dawes in response to Richard Sugarman

I chose a different path for us this week.

I am sharing Benji's penetrating, compassionate, hope-filled response to Rich's spotlight piece from last week.

So many were deeply affected by Rich’s words.

Rich wrote a thank you to all of us.  It is also below. He never imagined receiving back so many notes of love and care.

Here is the link to Rich's piece in case you missed it. You will also find there 13 CFC responses from fall 2023 to the weekly questions Pip and I present to dear people we all wander with: Jennifer, Amber, Holly, Rudy, Irwin, Neeru, Jack, Lauren, Ryan, Jaime, Christina, Rich U., and Eric. 

LINK: Rich's Spotlight on Website

- AP 

Benji's Response:

Dear Richard

Thank you for sharing so heartfully your story. As I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting you I hope you don’t mind me sharing my response. Your words really moved me.

Sitting by the sea, watching the atlantic waves rolling in gently, with my eight week old son Oren strapped to my chest in his carrier, I see him in this photo of you as a child.

I’m sure I have no business telling you this, but I’m going to risk it because I feel it strongly. You still have your childhood ahead of you. To play and laugh and love. 

Seeing you in your military school uniform, I’m transported to a film I love - Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom. The two kids escape from parents and run off together on an adventure into the woods. I don’t know why but I feel your spirit in this picture is kindred with theirs.

Benji

From Rich Sugarman:

Thanks so much to Benji and so many others for your very kind responses to my childhood story. I hope it encourages more people to share their own stories. Sharing ourselves feels like a big part of this community.