It is a great gift when a reader reaches out via email or letters to tell me that the story and characters came alive for them. One never expects to receive such a personal response. Last week, I received another remarkable gift—a pair of handcrafted bookends. They are thrown in clay, fired to emulate the colours of earth, hand-pressed with stalks of wheat, and replete with a glass window. I am so honoured. Thank you, Kathy. And thanks to all for your encouraging words and sharing your reading experience. I keep your words close.