Q: Ira, Sunday’s game made me feel both sad as well as proud.

My wife had a major stroke two years ago and I became her primary caregiver. Because she is paralyzed, cannot speak and cannot swallow solid food, every few hours I have to tube feed her or administer her medicines through her tube after I crushed them. I am basically unable to leave the house 24/7 except for short trips to the market or pharmacy.

The Heat became my only source of enjoyment. Because of my wife’s schedule, my schedule became go to sleep at 8:30 p.m. and get up around 4:30 a.m.

Since I couldn’t watch most of the games, my DVR got a good workout. I would wake up early, open your articles to see who won, and then watch the games if it sounded like a good game.

Games 4 and 5, I didn’t even bother watching. I was so happy after Game 6 because I thought for sure with our injuries and the way we were playing, we didn’t have a chance. I let out a huge roar, luckily I didn’t wake up my wife.

Thanks to the Heat for making this season so enjoyable for me. I believe if we were a little less banged up, we would be playing Steph Curry instead of Boston.

Thank you also for all of the interesting and insightful stories you gave me to read and keep my mind on something else besides my wife’s health situation. Even though we didn’t win it all, I am so grateful. – Rich, Plantation.

A: When people ask why sports? This is why sports.

I am touched, and I am sure the Heat are touched, as well.

Sometimes it can seem so silly and simple, a bunch of grown men running around in short pants throwing a ball through a circle.

But sports can also make us more alive, part of something bigger, allow us to drift to a place where we can engage in something collective, often while feeling somewhat alone.

And it also is why Pat Riley was wrong, very wrong, when he posited there is only winning and misery.

Sunday, and even this Heat season-long journey, showed there could be winning and fulfillment.

The season ended with a loss, as it does in the playoffs for all but one team.

But I don’t think it is a season that left many for a loss.

Godspeed to you and your wife.

(I think we’ll leave it at just one question today, to appreciate the impact of sports beyond peeves about play calling, officiating, bias, trades, free agency, etc.)

()