"More than a stunning debut. It is the announcement of a bold new literary voice"
—Stephen Chbosky, author of The Perks of Being a Wallflower

It’s weird writing a letter to you, and my hands are shaking as I write this. So much has happened since you passed away, and I don’t know if you have any idea what has been going on in my life. It would make my life easier if I knew if you where in heaven, but I’ll just hope for the best that you are. Anyway, a year later after you died, Mommy and Daddy got a divorce. I was nine years old when they split, and later their divorce was finalized when I was ten years old. I knew life wasn’t going to be the same after you died. But, so much was going on in my life, and I needed you there. I was so angry at God for letting you leave me, and I thought He was being unfair for not bringing you back. When I was eleven years old, Daddy began to live with another woman. I had a hard time liking her, even tolerating her, because of what happened. Besides these negative things happening at the moment, there were also some beautiful moments. For example, after years of being angry at God and not ... Read more

Dear July: I suppose you’ll like this pseudonym, since in my vague memories you’ve always wanted one. (you ditched me for haven/hell/space/limbo, so I’d say I get to pick) Well, long story short, I’m writing this letter to apologize for all the things I missed (including your funeral) and all the other things that could have been in some alternative universe where you’re alive and well. You left our family when we were all very young and confused. I don’t think we dealt with it very well—no one really speaks of you much anymore. It seemed you have faded from our memories altogether, washed away into some abyss out of harms reach. I am surprised how much I’ve forgotten already. I remember your obsession with Legos and South Park and how you owned an orange jacket that looked exactly like Kenny’s. It’s funny how your face faded along with the horrid plastic crabs you got me for my birthday with that reference I still don’t get (was that supposed to be an inside joke?) and the badly folded origami cards. I don’t remember what you look like, at least the specific details, anymore. This book reminded me of you. Your ... Read more

You’ve helped me more than any living being in front of me. I started listening to your music at the age of 11 when my uncle came over. We started talking about music. I at the time did not have a huge interest in music, but he has always like you and your music. In fact you are his favorite band as well as mine. That night he made me listen to multiple different songs by multiple different artist and bands. He made me listen to, AIC (your band obviously… The guys are doing very well with their new music by the way) he also made me listen to Stone Temple Pilots, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Soundgarden, Staind, Breaking Benjamin, ect. But you and your band stood out the most. I loved what your music had to say. And I still do. I done so much research on you and AIC. I’ve talked to your mom. She is such a sweet lady. I should really email her again. It’s been a few years… Sorry Nancy. You were and still are the only person help me get through my depression. You’ve stopped me from killing myself as well as self harming. Your music has ... Read more

When I was a child, my dad always heard the songs of “The Beatles”. I always liked. As I grew older, my dad told me about the way he died, I was shocked. A fan killed you! That I will never forget, was regrettable. Years passed and my younger brother began to see a movie called Peabody and Sherman, was in that movie I was hear the song you dedicate to your son Sean, I cannot imagine how it must have felt your child at the moment he learn that you were dead. Well, I just want to say that I am, even though you’re dead, a big fan of yours .

I know I tell you this pretty much every day (and since you’re a part of the All, you probably know already), but I’ll leave it here so I’ll always have somewhere I can read it: I know we never met, but I’ll always feel that in another place, another time, we were thick as thieves. I know the anger, the bitterness. I have it too. I’m not so ready to forgive though. I’m glad you were able to before the river took you away from us. We grew up in the same place, traveling like gypsies, our mammas toting us like luggage, meaning well, but making our lives like houses made of sand. I miss you so much my heart feels like it’s being squeezed by invisible hands that don’t know their own strength, like a piece of me is missing. A home I can never go back to. I wish I’d been a little older than 12-15. I wish we could sing & dance together, to talk about everything & nothing for hours. To start a conversation all silly, then get all intense out of nowhere until one of us says something silly or stupid to ... Read more

Growing up my dad always played your music. You are one of his favorite musicians. You are actually one of my favorite musicians. Your music has depth, something not a lot of music these days have. I love your music not only because of the words, but for the beats as well. Every aspect of your music has meaning. I love the way your music has been immortalized, You made a really big impression on this earth. You were my childhood, so your music left a big impression on me, and the music I listen to now. I just wanted to write you and say thank you for being such a big part of my childhood. I hope you’re in NIRVANA. See what I did there? Anyways, Thank you for even making the decision to make music when you did.

Growing up my dad always played your music. You are one of his favorite musicians. You are actually one of my favorite musicians. Your music has depth, something not a lot of music these days have. I love your music not only because of the words, but for the beats as well. Every aspect of your music has meaning. I love the way your music has been immortalized, You made a really big impression on this earth. You were my childhood, so your music left a big impression on me, and the music I listen to now. I just wanted to write you and say thank you for being such a big part of my childhood. I hope you’re in NIRVANA. See what I did there? Anyways, Thank you for even making the decision to make music when you did.

Growing up my dad always played your music. You are one of his favorite musicians. You are actually one of my favorite musicians. Your music has depth, something not a lot of music these days have. I love your music not only because of the words, but for the beats as well. Every aspect of your music has meaning. I love the way your music has been immortalized, You made a really big impression on this earth. You were my childhood, so your music left a big impression on me, and the music I listen to now. I just wanted to write you and say thank you for being such a big part of my childhood. I hope you’re in NIRVANA. See what I did there? Anyways, Thank you for even making the decision to make music when you did.

Growing up my dad always played your music. You are one of his favorite musicians. You are actually one of my favorite musicians. Your music has depth, something not a lot of music these days have. I love your music not only because of the words, but for the beats as well. Every aspect of your music has meaning. I love the way your music has been immortalized, You made a really big impression on this earth. You were my childhood, so your music left a big impression on me, and the music I listen to now. I just wanted to write you and say thank you for being such a big part of my childhood. I hope you’re in NIRVANA. See what I did there? Anyways, Thank you for even making the decision to make music when you did.

Growing up my dad always played your music. You are one of his favorite musicians. You are actually one of my favorite musicians. Your music has depth, something not a lot of music these days have. I love your music not only because of the words, but for the beats as well. Every aspect of your music has meaning. I love the way your music has been immortalized, You made a really big impression on this earth. You were my childhood, so your music left a big impression on me, and the music I listen to now. I just wanted to write you and say thank you for being such a big part of my childhood. I hope you’re in NIRVANA. See what I did there? Anyways, Thank you for even making the decision to make music when you did.