First David Bowie, who, while he was more involved in music and film than literature, played one of my favorite characters in Labyrinth, a movie that celebrates Fantasy and stories.  Now Alan Rickman, a man who played a role in several of my favorite movies, many of which were adaptations of well-loved books.

As many of you already know, I happen to be re-reading one of those books right now as part of my Harry Potter Re-Read.  After the range of emotions I’ve gone through since I read the horrible news this morning of Rickman’s passing, I don’t even know how I’m going to handle Snape’s death in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.  I’m also not sure if I’ll be able to re-watch the movies for a while.  While Severus was never one of my favorite characters, more someone I loved to hate throughout most of the series, I do remember feeling that he redeemed himself through his actions in the final book and movies, and as much as I wanted to continue to despise him, I couldn’t.  J.K. Rowling and Alan Rickman showed me that nothing is black and white, especially human beings.  Grief is also complex.

On that note, here is a tiny round-up of links out of oh so many I’ve come across today in celebration of Alan Rickman and the mourning of his loss:

• To My Harry Potter Family, Re: Alan Rickman – This open letter by Michelle over at The Tipsy Verse helped me realize that it’s ok to grieve someone I’ve never met.
• J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter Stars Honor Alan Rickman – After you’re done reading Michelle’s open letter, feel free to let it all out while you read this.
• We Will Remember Alan Rickman, Always – Heartfelt and personal, I don’t think I could have said what Katy Rochelle writes at Potter Talk any better.