Life’s too short, I thought. You have to tell people you love them when you love them. You have to trust that they love you back just as much even when they make mistakes. Most of all, I told myself, you have to stop blaming yourself. Sometimes terrible things happen. Sometimes it’s your fault, and sometimes it’s not. Sometimes it’s no one’s fault.
It means so much to me that this was one of many readers' favorite parts of the book. Dodie has a loving family and great friends, but her father's abandonment deeply changed how she views relationships, and makes it hard for her to trust Shep, especially after he leaves.
Before she even meets with her father, I think she's already learned everything she needs to know the insights in these lines about herself and about love, and what Not Dad says only confirms it for her. I also loved the idea that a favorite book was what helped her have that "Eureka" moment.
