And so journeys on another brave heart. From her city office years ago to a neighborhood coffee only weeks past, I appreciated her blunt questioning and strong opinion. She spoke with intellectual efficiency seemingly born of too many things to do and not enough time; an immediacy I appreciate. We didn’t speak often, so I’m not sure she knew the impact she had, but it’s kept me encouraged. When I started researching trafficking in Seattle, she gave of her time. When I had a proposal and began looking for funding, she brought together stakeholders. When I won the Alexia Foundation grant, she congratulated me. When I invited her to a special screening for law enforcement, she attended. I don’t remember her exact words afterwards, but they amounted to: ‘you did it, and you did it well.’ However, my storytelling wouldn’t be possible without her. She commissioned the initial report that caught my eye and was instrumental in creating The Bridge, a program that helped one of my subjects heal. The name Terri Kimball may not be known to the many whose lives she’s touched, but I know it. And I will remember it when I look within for the braveness and heart she carried without.
Posted on: Sun, 18 May 2014 18:10:40 +0000