I started the book last week and got a little over a hundred pages in but was too busy to read much more. Earlier this week, my dad suddenly passed away from a heart attack. It just . . . it helps to read this. To read of a character suffering from a (sort of) similar loss. I can't always focus on the book but when I can, I appreciate every second of it. Yes, my thoughts push at the back of my mind sometimes while I read. But after seeing his body today . . . I picked up my book before bed and read for two hours. Yes, I've thought about seeing my dad lying there in the casket. Yes, I've thought about how he was pulling out of my driveway when I was hugging my unopened package to my chest, knowing exactly what book waited inside. But seeing Nesta get stronger a little bit at a time, reading her story, I just feel a little less alone.

Maybe I'm crazy and just distracting myself with a good book like I've always done but I'm okay with that. All I know is, I owe SJM a huge thank you for writing this series because this isn't the first time these books have helped me.