When I first began Griefcase blog, I simply missed my husband and wished for a safe place to stow my grief. I turned to the only things I knew–writing and the internet–for comfort. I had no idea my blog would one day be a real website, or that I would write a book, much less TWO books! I believed I’d be sad forever and that my book, along with all my hopes and dreams, would rust in my brain. I was resigned to feeling guilty about never fulfilling my promise to my husband.

That was then. This is now.

So much has changed in my life. Most of all, me. With the help of Griefcase blog and the emails I received from readers spurring me on to keep writing, I discovered I was able to move forward with my life.

I know it’s not easy losing a husband. I know that grief is like a tunnel–can’t go around it, can’t go over it–just got to go through it. I know that the grief journey is different for everyone–just like a finger print–no two are alike.

Add to that, my arduous task of collecting thoughts and putting them on paper about a prickly time in a past life, well, trying to describe the pain of being a widow (and writing a book about it) to a non-widow is like trying to describe the color orange to a blind man.

I’m a widow. I’m a writer. I have a new life. I give myself permission for that.

Every day widows share their stories with me. They motivate and encourage me to keep on writing. I plan to share their stories here at Griefcase.net with you in the hopes you will be inspired, too. If you have a story, won’t you please share? Send it to me at Linda@griefcase.net and I’ll make sure our message, “We’re not alone,” is heard.

Won’t you joy-n Griefcase.net?

Give yourself permission. Go ahead. I dare you.

Linda Della Donna

Always My Brother–Written by Jean Reagan, with illustrations by Phyllis Pollema-Cahill

Make room for a new picture book on your child’s bookshelf. Always My Brother by Jean Reagan, with illustrations by Phyllis Pollema-Cahill.

As the story unfolds, we see Becky playing a game of soccer with her brother, John, joined by their pet dog, Toby. They skip and they laugh. They love life and each other. It is a moment captured magically in soft language by Jean Reagan with delicate illustrations by Phyllis Pollema-Cahill.

We soon learn about Becky and how changed her life is after the death of her beloved brother, John. No longer is John here to cheer her up in difficult times, or help her out with soccer practice. She is left to miss her brother and work through her grief, alone. When Becky returns to school, we feel her pain–Becky is uncomfortable facing friends, has difficulty playing a favorite game, and feels guilty for laughing at a friend’s birthday party. She wants everything to be the way it was before her brother’s death.

Time inches forward, seasons change, and so does Becky. Dressed in bathrobe, gazing out a window one wintry day, she stands alongside her mother and announces, “One morning, watching Toby roll in the snow, I actually laughed out loud.”

Through Always My Brother a young reader learns the valuable lesson that there is life after death, as well as joy and laughter, and that it is okay to remember a dead loved one. It is a lump-in-your-throat book that will tug at your heartstrings and leave you feeling glad all over long after you have returned it to its place on your bookshelf.

Always My Brother available at Amazon (Hardcover – May 2009) $13.22.

The following is the book tour schedule for “Always My Brother.”

Won’t you please follow this wonderful book as it makes the rounds on its internet journey.

Also, if you enjoyed reading my review, or just wish to say, “Hi,” I would appreciate it if you would leave a comment.If you do, you just might win a prize.

How about it?

Thanks.

And Heeeeeeeeeere’s the schedule!:

Nov. 1 — Welcome from Tilbury House
Nov. 2 — Griefcase
Nov. 3 — Author Jean Reagan’s
Nov. 4 — Healing the Grieving Heart
Nov. 5 — Grief Speaks
Nov. 6 — Chronicles of an Infant Bibliophile
Nov. 7 — heartfeltwords4kids
Nov. 8 — I Did Not Know What to Say
Nov. 9 — Moziesme
Nov. 10 — Anastasia Suen
Nov. 11 – Maw Books
Nov. 12 — Author Emily Wing Smith
Nov. 13 — Bri Meets Books

Just to let you know–

7 lucky winners from all of those who leave comments on participating tour posts (Nov.1-13) are eligible to win one of the following prizes:

- A copy of Always My Brother signed by author Jean Reagan (5 available)*
- A set of 10 winter notecards with art by illustrator Phyllis Pollema-Cahill (2 available)

* Winners are welcome to designate a grief center, school, or library to receive their signed copy in their place.

All winners will be announced after the tour. US/Canada addresses only, please.

Twitter Prize

Everyone that tweets about the tour using the hashtag #AlwaysTour from November 1-13 will be entered to win a set of three children’s books from Tilbury House — your choice! Winners will be announced after the tour, US/Canada addresses only, please.

For More Information :

Tilbury House, Publishers: http://tilburyhouse.com/childrens/always-my-brother.htm
Teachers Take Note (educational resources) for Always My Brother: http://tilburyhouse.com/childrens/always-my-brother-teachers-take-note.htm
The story behind Always My Brother: http://jeanreagan.com/story_behind.htm
Phyllis Pollema-Cahill’s illustration process: http://www.phylliscahill.com/alwaysstepbystep/alwaysstepbystep.html