Alice was my best friend

Just wanted to send a note of thanks to the author whose books raised me. My dad died in 2001 when I was 12, and luckily he left me with a love of reading, a passion for learning, and the determination to seek out answers. We come from a very abusive, abused family. After he died, I really had no one and all I could think to do was read. My school librarian handed me the first Alice book, and after that I returned to the library over and over again to gobble up the rest. Outside the covers of those books, I was told I was selfish, disgusting, shameful, and a slut, and I was threatened and abused constantly. But when my nose was in a book, I was allowed some peace and quiet to myself, and I learned how to love myself. Alice was curious and brave and loving and I pretended I was a part of her family. I learned and cultivated empathy by reading those books, and I believe they helped me survive. I’ve been healing recently, and Alice pops into my head a lot, like an old friend. Wishing you well. Thank you so much for everything.

I was so glad to get your note to me.  You must have a lot of courage to stick by yourself and give yourself a chance to change when you know you must.    How wonderful of that school librarian to suggest my books.   No one else knows all that is going on inside us, and sometimes the only one who can give us the support we need is our very selves.  I’m hoping you have many happy times ahead, and so appreciate your writing to me.