Magic and Loss: In Letters to His Young Daughter, a Father, Suddenly Facing Death, Rediscovers Life (A Reader's Digest Condensed Book Selection)

When the author was diagnosed with a terminal illness, he wrote letters to his daughter, a recording of his love for her. A beautiful example for those who suffer similar tragic situations.

At age 37, journalist Lampman discovered that he was dying from a brain tumor and began writing these letters to his three-year-old adopted daughter, Emmy. Along with stories of good family times are the details of convulsions, MRIs, surgery, and radiation therapy--"The tumor has been removed, but the doctors fear it will grow back, only time will tell." His references to his wife as "mommy" are natural, considering the letters are addressed to his young daughter, but cloying nonetheless. Perhaps he makes the most definitive statement of his feelings when he writes, "I remember I used to hear a siren, or see an ambulance, and wonder whether there was some story I should chase. Now, I hear a siren and feel a pang of empathy." When his editors encouraged him to publish some of the letters, he was inundated with responses and so this book evolved and has been selected by Reader's Digest for its Christmas-issue condensed book section. Denise Perry Donavin