Margot's grandmere tells her that "... just listen… and the answers will pour into your soul." Do you believe your loved ones can still be present in your life, even after they've died?

Margot's grandmere tells her that she won't always be around. "But when the world is black, when you think you are alone, the spirits, my spirit, will be with you… When you don't know the answers, just listen… and the answers will pour into your soul." Did you find that this played out at any point in the novel? Do you believe your loved ones can still be present in your life, even after they've died?

ABSOLUTELY! I do believe in a "communion of souls." I pray to my loved ones all the time. Sometimes, I feel their presence as a warning or a gentle, loving nudge. I am not sure about transmitting "burning" sensations but I believe some people possess the gift of healing. I am still in the early stages of this book due to personal circumstances but I am thoroughly intrigued!

I do and I don't think this belief is related to any particular religion or spiritual belief. As humans we internalize the values, morals, and thoughts of our loved ones. Even when they are not present due to physical distance or even death we can "hear" what they would say to us if they could. Although both of my parents have been dead for decades, I can sense their thoughts and feelings on various issues that are confronting me. As human, we are truly never alone.

Yes, my loved ones are still present in my life even though they are not physically present. I still want that connection to those I love who have died. I rely on considering what advice my parents and in-laws would have given me---perhaps I am projecting, but the system works. My adult son died unexpectedly and I could not go on if I didn't feel I could still connect with him.

I think we always carry out loved ones with us, even after death. Their influence in our lives continues and I think they sometimes give very literal nudges of what the correct thing is to do. I believe they watch over us, even in death.

No, I do not believe I will receive messages from my dead relatives. However you remember their values and what values they instilled in you. You may ask yourself. “What would so and so have done”

Memory is so powerful, I wonder if that is why it gets retold as a presence. The memories of loved ones, when strong, feel like they are alive. That also means that the memories are subject to taking on their own life.

I think we remember what our loved one have taught us when they were alive. I ask my self what would a particular person have done in a situation.

I do not believe in seances, but I have had times where I awoke from dreams of parents or grandparents and felt as if - somehow- their souls had connected with me. A few of the cousins with whom I am close often discuss the same experience with one particularly treasured grandmother.

I think that many of us have loved ones who provide/provided guidance and wisdom and that their teachings come back to guide us if we are open to hearing them. Sometimes we have to summon them - "what would.....do?" I also believe that they do not have to be "loved ones" they can be people we admire and respect, even if we never actually met them.

I definitely feel like sometimes our memories of loved ones come at the right time... we just need to listen.

I do believe I am still connected to my loved one that have passed on. However, I do not go to extremes to enhance the feeling.

I believe that loved ones are presently in your life after they've died simply through remembered behaviors, sayings, and values that you continue to believe in. I believe that you can listen to receive answers from the Lord but not people who have died.

I believe that our loved ones stay with us forever. We are the ones that keep memories alive. The kindest thing you can do is hand down family stories.