15 Comments
User's avatar
Borderline Obsessing's avatar

This is beautiful, Katrina. “I am who I am, and I am here because of having experienced there.” ~ perfectly said.

Katrina Donham's avatar

Thank you, kd! ❤️ Happy new year!

Erin Granat's avatar

“Books allowed me to escape from the unpredictable war zone that was my home, to charter new territories, to learn new languages, to be recognized and loved without the embarrassment and shame of physical onlookers.” Books allow us to live a thousand different lives - what a wonderful thing ✨

Katrina Donham's avatar

Yes, so true, Erin. Thank you for reading! 🙏🏼

Abigail A Mlinar Burns's avatar

🥹🥹🥹🥹

Violet Carol's avatar

My favorite part about all of your pieces is the way you thread a central theme so clearly. This was obviously no exception. You have a gift — I feel like you could write a TV show and it would be an instant hit, so much vivid storytelling. I love learning more about you, and I’m going to hug my old Madeline book a little harder tonight xo

Katrina Donham's avatar

Geez whiz, Violet! Thank you! ❤️❤️❤️

Madeline's avatar

I'M NOT CRYING YOU'RE CRYING 😭

Thank you for this 💕 Bemelmens Bar in NYC was already my favorite bar on the planet and I had no idea of this backstory. Now it's cemented as my #1 for good. And not just because my name is Madeline 😅

Wish I could send this piece back to my about-to-graduate-college self. You've captured so much so accurately and so beautifully.

Laura's avatar

Beautiful! I also kinda want to Swanksgiving asheville-style this year!!!

Isabel Cowles Murphy's avatar

I appreciate this more than you know. Safety is everything when you didn’t have it. Everything can bloom from such rich stuff as the basics.

Katrina Donham's avatar

Isabel, thank you. I cannot tell you how much I was beating myself up to wrangle this thing this past month. I appreciate you being here and your encouragement, always. 🙏🏼❤️

Little Edits Atelier's avatar

This is stunning. The writing, the research, the through line. I hope to be able to write like this someday.

Katrina Donham's avatar

Oh my goodness, Little Edits! Thank you! 🙏🏼❤️

Katrina Donham's avatar

OMG, Madeline! THANK YOU! You've just made my night with your comment! ❤️❤️❤️