Re: Loss but never lost, April 20 article.
An open letter to Tanith.
Our first meeting when you were eight, standing alongside your humble and outstanding grandparents — wonderful!
Watching you up close for a short season, then occasional meetings over the years — great, well done! Against the flood of traumatic life logjams, you pressed on; against the tide of gang life, and the minefields of addiction — you remained steadfast. You chose, despite all this, not to become slash washed up at the high tide mark. Underneath all the academic “failures”, cracks you “slipped through” were the prayers of the many who believed in you, and still do.
You’re embracing your gift of language, with the nuances and delights I trust it continues to bring you — well done! You’re helping others? Carry on!