When Ali Ansari and his family visited the U.S. for a consultation with a specialist they were not prepared for an indefinite stay. Supporting a family, adjusting to a new culture and society, and giving full time care to an autistic son could have undone any parent-but not Ali. Despite his background as a pilot, Ali takes on a string of menial jobs to have the flexibility to give his full attention to his son. The grueling and often humiliating process is sweetened by his three sources of comfort and inspiration-his son, his dog, and Oprah on TV. In Dear Oprah, the ever resourceful and observant Ali contemplates what is possibly the most important question in life: Should we laugh or should we cry?