A friend sent me a letter he received from a family member who is currently serving in Iraq. My friend had sent the serviceperson a copy of Practically Shameless. The serviceperson described the book as "very good" and described feeling the emotion in the story. There was more as well, which I'll keep private.

Some of the feedback I get about the book leaves me not knowing how to react.

Mostly I want to say "thank you" but it seems less than enough.

Sometimes the feedback reveals some personal details, as in this case, and my heart feels warm to know the book has touched someone's life.

Other times I don't feel much emotional reaction and there's almost an unreality to it. Maybe it's that it's hard for me to grasp that after such a long time spent writing the book, it's really and truly out there being read and affecting people's lives.

I'm not even sure that I want it to sink in; perhaps it's better if it's a new experience for me each time. What I mean is, I don't want to ever take it for granted. I want to take it as the gift it really is, each time it happens.