Hi. I know you are probably busy but, last night I witnessed my dad have a heart attack. He has diabetes so they ran a bunch of tests on him and tried to save him. He didn't make it. I'm only 13, and my brother is only 5. My mother is completely depressed

I feel uncomfortable making your grief public, but I didn’t want your message to go unanswered. I am so sorry you’re enduring this loss. My heart hurts for you and your family, and I wish I had some way to ease the pain you’re experiencing. But I have no tonic or fix for something so abrupt and terrible.

I can’t imagine what you’re going through, but I do know that grief comes at you in surprising ways. I lost my dad a little over five years ago. He was sick and we knew it was coming for a long time, and it still turned my life inside out. I hope you’ll try to take care of yourself in the weeks and months to come, that you have good friends to reach out to for comfort or distraction, that you’ll speak up when you need someone to vent to or cry with or yell at.

And I’m glad my books provided a little escape. I only wish I had a thousand more to send your way. But if you ever need to talk or you’re feeling low or you just want some new book recommendations, please don’t hesitate to write to me here or at lastleigh at gmail. I will do my very best to answer. For now, just know that I’m thinking of you and wishing you strength.