Thank you for your beautiful writing, and for helping me sort through my feelings about The Giving Tree. My mother gave me this book when I was 12 — too old for picture books, too old to be read to. I read it by myself and it made me cry hysterically. I was only ever able to read it that one time. I really needed someone to help me understand what I was feeling; I’ve waited 45 years for an answer. Thank you.