History writer Mercedes Maguire takes top marks for her insightful column in Saturday’s Telegraph about doomed Sydney lovers Eric and Scarlett (Heartbroken sailor still searching for his lost love, History, 2/1). Completely unexpected, the answer to one of nature’s greatest mysteries jumps off the foot of the page, resolving the emotional turmoil of generations under the headline: “Can you die of a broken heart?” Many of us have been perplexed when relatives in long marriages died in close succession. Theories revolving around unbreakable soulmate connections seemed stretched. Medical science has found the answer in a form of cardiomyopathy, triggered by emotive despair and associated stress. Figuratively, the broken heart was not so much ruptured as it was paralysed. Sounds harsh, but how wonderful to be so loved. Heartwarming stories like this might “vaccinate” us all when we suffer similar loss. Alan Sexton, North Parramatta. 4Jan2021.