Inspired by a real inner radiance and not by a pretentious lofty perch from which to view mere clumsy mortals, not perfect, not always well-behaved, or college-bound A students, not precious and highfalutin, but instead the state that makes us alive, where we get through the worst there is with dignity in spite of our mortality, the capacity to respond with compassion, with depth, breadth, complexity and profundity, tolerance, generosity, integrity, gratitude, a heart full of love and a deep appreciation of human connection. Don’t you give up, ever. You and I are in this together.

*Opaque baby blue.