21 Comments
User's avatar
Karen McIntyre's avatar

Love this. the description of your first jury duty outfit, evolving into your vulnerable revelation. thank you.

Expand full comment
Debra Fried's avatar

I thank you, Karen!

Expand full comment
John Kenney's avatar

What a superb, nuanced, powerful piece of writing. Thank you.

Expand full comment
Debra Fried's avatar

It's me who thanks you, John. I'm so glad you enjoyed it.

Expand full comment
Danielle Fried's avatar

Nostalgia….raw truths…translucence, as always.

Expand full comment
Debra Fried's avatar

Oh, what a good way to put it - thank you! xx

Expand full comment
Susan Roman's avatar

Well done, Partial. Loved it!

Expand full comment
Debra Fried's avatar

I'm so glad! Thank you.

Signed,

Partial but well-meaning.

Expand full comment
Debra Fried's avatar

Wow - what a lovely thing to say! Thank you, Luis. You made my day.

Expand full comment
Kenny C's avatar

Nice work, Deb. I always feel when you write.

Expand full comment
Debra Fried's avatar

Thank you, Kenny. I always feel and appreciate your comments.

Expand full comment
alison gragnano's avatar

This is so beautifully handled. Masterfully all brought together. You captured those nuanced moments of patriotism that have left us. Tough for us believers. I love this piece.

Expand full comment
Debra Fried's avatar

Oh, thank you so much, Alison! It is indeed tough for us believers. Here's to better days, or so I hope. xx

Expand full comment
Kate Hampford Donahue's avatar

Such a familiar feeling. You continue to amaze me in the way you can so intimately describe such universal experience. Bless you for making me feel human today.

Expand full comment
Debra Fried's avatar

Wow - bless YOU for making me feel human too! Thank you so much, Kate. xx

Expand full comment
Peter Krijgsman's avatar

I don’t understand men. And I am one. Thanks for sharing this.

Expand full comment
Debra Fried's avatar

For the record, I don't always understand women either. Thanks for reading my story.

Expand full comment
Ruth Shaw's avatar

Well done, with both subtlety and power. And so many of us barely recognize our country or ourselves right now. Feeling partial in more ways than one.

Expand full comment
Debra Fried's avatar

Thank you, Ruth - so well said!

Expand full comment
Luis Gonzalez's avatar

Thank you for being brave enough to write this. You are an unexpected source of inspiration for me right now.

Expand full comment
Debra Fried's avatar

Wow - thank you so much, Luis. What a beautiful thing to say!

Expand full comment