In my real life, I think the children are left with an abiding sadness that her life ended as tragic as it did. Writing has always been there for me. Books have always been there for me. In books, I found role models and a safe haven. And, in writing, I found a way to make sense of a world that is cruel.
Writing is an obsession.
No, not at all. Not only did it provide me with personal growth, it helped me turn a past that was sad and tragic into a usable past, be even a triumphant past. I am curious as to the reaction of your sister and brother after they read this. They knew I was writing it, but they didn't read it before it came out. They were fine with it.