Michaela-

Yeah, as I said to other reviewers, the idea about him knowing that he won't make it...well, I got the idea partially off of a story I heard about on the news. This woman with cancer (or another fatal illness) recorded all of her wisdom on tape, so that her children could consult them and be comforted even after her death.

The quotes given to me by the challenge seemed conversational, but also too profound for saying on the spot, so I turned the story into a letter. Yet such wisdom and words coming from a father to a son seemed sort of wooden coming on a letter. That's why I added that part, where James wishes that he doesn't have to send it, so that he can give Harry these words in person.

The moment I read this, I imagined Harry's father telling him this. For some reason, I just couldn't imagine it coming out of a person's mouth, right on the spot. It was just too imspirational, too profound for that. It sounded like someone's last words. Then I heard about this sick mom who videotaped all of her wisdom on various subjects so that her daughters could view it after she died. That's what I thought of it as. 

Thanks for the review, it made my day.