05/19/2026
🙏 This week has changed the meaning of this book for me forever.
On May 5th at 1:10am, my sister Vicki sent me what would become the last text message she ever sent anyone. They found her a day later. Then just days later, after that tragic fall and terrible suffering, she passed away.
I never imagined while writing The Illusion of Control that life would bring our family here. But Vicki believed in this book deeply, and one of her wishes was that people would read it. So today, I’m sharing her words in her honor.
This was her final message to me:
“Your book was very good! I pray it sells well! I didn’t know I was related to such a talented brother!!!! I thought I knew ALL of your talents, but you have many more! So I will pray you have good luck with your sales! My friend from work is reading it now!
By the way, Dave was head of sales at Catholic Knights of Ohio, and I worked there too for two years!
Love you much, Vic”
Vicki was a beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend. She was generous, encouraging, funny, loyal, and full of heart. I will carry this message with me for the rest of my life.
This memoir is about survival, addiction, recovery, music, magic, family, and the uncomfortable truth that much of life is beyond our control — no matter how much we wish otherwise.
If this story helps even one person feel less alone, I believe that would have made my sister proud.
Thank you to everyone who has supported this journey, read the book, or reached out to our family this week. Your kindness has meant more than words can say.
The Illusion of Control: A Memoir of Magic, Music and Survival by Kip Barry is available now on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle.
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