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Reliving the Helplessness
In Clarity, you share with readers your family’s emotional journey following your young son’s diagnosis of a brain tumor at the age of 2. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Writing Clarity was both a personal necessity and a way to honour the journey my family has been on. When my son was diagnosed, our world changed overnight. I was desperate to find stories like ours—raw, honest, and hopeful—but they were few and far between. This book became my way of documenting not just the medical milestones, but the emotional and human side of our experience. It’s a story of resilience, fear, love, and ultimately, transformation. I wanted to create something that would not only help others feel less alone but also show that even in the darkest moments, clarity and strength can be found.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
Thank you. That means a lot. The hardest part to write was reliving the helplessness—the moments in hospital corridors, the conversations where we were told things no parent ever wants to hear. Putting those memories into words meant revisiting the fear and trauma, but also the vulnerability I felt as a mother. It wasn’t just about my son’s illness—it was about the emotional toll on the entire family. Writing it meant opening up wounds I had tucked away for survival, but in doing so, I found healing, too.
What advice would you give someone considering sharing their story with readers?
Be honest, be brave, and don’t wait for the perfect moment—there isn’t one. Your story matters exactly as it is. You don’t need to have everything figured out to start. Sharing your truth, even if it’s messy or unresolved, can create powerful connections. Also, protect your energy during the process. Writing your story can be deeply cathartic, but it can also be triggering, so make sure you have support around you as you write. And lastly, trust that your voice will find the people who need it most.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your family’s experience?
I hope readers walk away with a deeper understanding of how fragile and precious life is—and how strength often shows up in the most unexpected ways. Whether it’s a sick child, a family crisis, or any life-altering event, we are all far more resilient than we realise. If our story reminds someone to slow down, love fiercely, or advocate harder for their child or themselves, then it’s done what I hoped it would do. I want readers to feel empowered, not just emotional.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Marking the five-year anniversary of her young son’s cancer diagnosis, Crystal invites readers to experience her remarkable evolution. ‘Clarity’ reveals a path from unimaginable loss and devastation to learning to heal, adapt, and ultimately thrive. Each title in this collection illuminates the extraordinary power of hope, the quiet courage of healing, and the strength to chase new dreams despite life’s cruel twists and uncertainties.
With an unfiltered and unwavering voice, ‘Clarity’ celebrates life’s unexpected privileges and is a testament to the unbreakable spirit of a mother, businesswoman, and dreamer.
Clarity
Clarity is a raw and heartfelt memoir chronicling the life-altering journey of Crystal Leonardi and her young son, Sebastian, after his shocking diagnosis of a brain tumor at just two years old. Told through diary entries, detailed recollections, and medical updates, this book spans the year following his diagnosis, weaving together the emotional and physical upheaval experienced by their family. At its core, Clarity is about love, resilience, and the terrifying yet beautiful process of navigating a life derailed by childhood cancer.
I was moved deeply and repeatedly. Crystal’s voice is unfiltered and sincere. She writes like a mother would speak to a close friend after a night of no sleep and endless worry. That intimacy made every moment hit harder. Her writing isn’t about fancy language or literary flair—it’s about honesty. And sometimes that honesty is gutting. One moment you’re reading about steroid side effects, and the next you’re feeling the cold floor of a hospital corridor as if you were there. She masterfully captures what it means to be completely out of control, to fight for your child with everything you’ve got, and still feel like it’s not enough.
What stood out most to me was the clarity with which she exposed both the triumphs and the emotional wreckage. I appreciated how she didn’t shy away from resentment, guilt, or even envy. She names the ugly emotions. She lets them breathe on the page. It was also clear how much she grew through the journey—how the chaos helped her find purpose and voice. While the medical details at times felt overwhelming, they reflected how consuming and disorienting the world of childhood cancer can be. Crystal wrote not just to remember, but to survive—and help others do the same.
This is a book for parents navigating illness, for caretakers seeking solidarity, and for anyone who’s ever been blindsided by life and had to find a new way forward. It’s not a comfortable read, but it’s an important one. I recommend Clarity to anyone who wants to feel less alone in their pain, to those who love a good cry, and to readers looking to understand the strength that can live alongside fear.
Pages: 338 | ASIN : B0DZLGB1QN
LITERARY TITAN 