The honesty of this piece, though I imagine you’re a bit harder on yourself than you probably deserve, is impressive, as is your willingness to probe beneath the surface of things. You managed to paint a bleak image while avoiding a woe-is-me tone.

I really enjoy your writing style. It brings back memories of sitting with my favorite people in the back booth of Dennys, drinking gallons of coffee, smoking a million cigarettes (yes, I’m that old), and discussing life. Reading your work is like joining an intense but ultimately comfortable conversation. It is frankness without soliciting sympathy, which alone makes you a better person than you seem to believe.

Thanks for peeking at my work, as that allowed me the chance to discover yours. And by the way, anyone who can write with such authenticity is far from empty.

Be well.