Why do so many of your stories involve death?

I suppose there are a few reasons that my stories include tragic elements. The first is that tragic or bittersweet stories are part of what defines a love story (much like a "happy ending" to a romance novel, or the hero triumphing in a thriller.) The reason for that is that a love story is primarily a dramatic story, and the best dramatic stories allow the readers to experience a full range of emotions. Hopefully, my readers feel a bit of everything -- empathy, hopefulness, happiness, love, anger and sadness -- as they turn the pages of my novels. Another reason goes to the statement (which I didn't invent) that goes like this: "All great love stories, by definition, must end in tragedy." Without great love, there's no tragedy and vice versa. Also, my stories are supposed to seem real (as opposed to fantasic) and tragedy is part of everyone's life. The final reason is that most of my novels are inspired by events in my family, and sadly, that was the way that most of the family stories ended.