To me the best and truly moving part belonged to those who would usually not head the bill - the kids honouring their families, coaches and friends, the Development Camp group and their gracious coach, Capital One theatre on ice, Washington DC Skating Club kids, Sofia, Max, Jimmy, others whose names might have escaped me as I never heard them before. They were the true heroes of the night touching my heart with every move. As for the "big" stars, Johnny Weir, Alysa Liu and Chock/Bates were most moving to me. As an ice show, I would not call it the "best ever", it was very emotional for, let's be honest, off-the-ice reasons. And that's ok, no need to make it into anything else than it was. But it truly was very beautiful and moving and I hope offered some healing and support to those who needed it most.
I also really appreciated the honouring of the first responders.
As for Max and the subsequent Ave Maria skate by his friends from the Boston Skating Club, that was probably the most touching moment of the whole show. There was a lot of warmth, support and good feelings flying towards him at this moment, and I just hope he was able to receive it all and absorb it. I truly wish the best to him and to all the other direct families of the victims.
I read Yuzuru has always been Max's skating idol. I hope he can use the memories and comments Yuzu generously shared about his own feelings and coping strategies on how to handle the assigned role of the "survivor" on the ice and not go insane. Though many of us would never think of it this way, it is a challenge as such and I also hope skating fans, with all their good wishes, will not make it too difficult for Max to heal and move away from this trauma with time. It does not mean forgetting, he will never forget, it means allowing him to move away, deal with it in his own way and not be ultimately defined by this ever since, every time he enters the ice.
I also admit the whole experience helped me understand why Yuzuru was so loved in Japan even before he made it big in his senior career. Like Max on Sunday, he was touring Japan with tribute and charity shows getting standing ovations everywhere as the symbol of survivors of the recent then earthquake that took thousands of lives, this kid miraculously saved from a rink that was falling apart, and he was just 16. And I guess, to many watching, it must have been somewhat similar to what we have felt last Sunday (though the numbers and the national trauma are incomparable, of course). He's just paying his tributes in Japan next weekend with the annual memorial show. Jason Brown will also be there. What a timing.
www.instagram.com
It was nicely done but unnecessary.
from me as well. I had watched about the first 12 minutes of the YouTube version when it disappeared/went private. I was so happy to be able to watch the rest (well, almost the rest). Now will go hunting for Ilia and the finale.
Speaking seriously, though, accuracy and clarity are very important to me. As you'll have guessed if you've noticed the amount of editing of my posts in this thread alone. 
Bravo again to all involved! 
