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It’s amazing when people find comfort in the transformative power of literature, and particularly heartwarming for an author like J.K. Rowling to learn of how her Harry Potter series, and one of Dumbledore’s much loved quotes helped a young American girl get through the absolutely unthinkable.
15 year old Cassidy Stay’s family (her parents and four siblings) were tragically and brutally murdered by her uncle in a traumatising shooting this past July. While speaking at the funeral service, Cassidy turned to the words of the Hogwarts Headmaster to convey her thoughts.
?Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.?
Getting wind of the very tragic story, J.K Rowling took it upon?herself to reach out to the young girl, sending her a care package complete with a wand, a Hogwarts acceptance letter, a signed book and more. What meant most to Cassidy, however, was the handwritten letter from none other than Dumbledore himself, the beloved brainchild of Rowling herself.
Though Cassidy of course will want to keep this very touching memento to herself, news of their exchange broke via Hypable, as the manager of the Facebook page set up to allow for contact between Rowling and Stay was thrilled to share the story.
?This afternoon, I talked to a friend of Cassidy’s who confirmed that J.K. Rowling did, in fact, write her a personalized letter from ?Dumbledore? (hand-written with purple ink)…?I’m so excited and ecstatic that we were all able to make a difference! How wonderful.?
Though it’s hard to imagine how anyone could cope through’such a devastating time in their lives, here’s hoping the letter from Dumbledore will bring?even a little comfort to Cassidy and her grandparents, whom she’s apparently been credited for saving. Our thoughts are with her.
Have you found comfort in books like Harry Potter during times of difficulty?