Dear Bobby

When Diane Papalia and Bob Zappa met in 1986, they both felt an immediate and intense connection. It was not until 2013 that they could finally be together, and they married in 2015. Three short years later, Bob passed away, a victim of hereditary amyloidosis. In Dear Bobby, Diane tells the story of how she dealt with her monumental loss.

In her grief, Diane found writing to be especially helpful, so she began writing letters to her late husband a few months after he died. Reflecting on her loss allowed her to confront that loss, find meaning in it, and eventually find peace. The centerpiece of this book is a collection of those letters.

In Dear Bobby, Diane talks about the different ways of grieving. She presents several writing prompts to encourage readers to begin their own writing journey. Dear Bobby also offers helpful resources for the reader, including books about death, grieving, coping, and the afterlife. There is a list of films that have afterlife themes. It also includes a list of support groups and organizations for those who are grieving that Diane found helpful.