In Joan Didion's "The Year of Magical Thinking," the author reflects on her deep desire to bring back a loved one who has passed away. This longing becomes her hidden focus, almost like a magic trick that she hopes will somehow alter reality. As summer progresses, she starts to gain clarity about her feelings but remains unable to confront the tangible reality of her loss.

This struggle is evident in her reluctance to part with the belongings that belonged to the deceased, highlighting the emotional turmoil of letting go. The narrative illustrates how grief can create a profound sense of denial and the difficulty of accepting life after loss.