Laurie O'Neil & Marisa da Silva, Co-Authors of Graceful Woman Warrior

“Kids don’t grieve the same as we do, but they do grieve. So please acknowledge and remember that, and pay attention to the cycles that you’ll see them experience. They may not cry like we do, but they’ll show you in some way, whether behaviorally, or ... all those things that show up that indicate that they need some help around the loss.”

— Laurie O'Neil

I had such a great discussion with Laurie O’Neil and Marisa da Silva for this episode. Laurie is a social worker and is Marisa’s great-aunt. Marisa is 10 years old, and her mom, Terri, died when Marisa was just 5. Together Laurie and Marisa are co-authors of the book Graceful Woman Warrior, which is based on the journal Terri kept while she was undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

Topics we discussed include:

·       How the book Graceful Woman Warrior started as a blog by Marisa’s late mom Terri during her breast cancer diagnosis and treatment;
·       Laurie losing her own dad at age 8 and feeling alone in her grief as a child;
·       What the kids in Marisa’s class thought about the “book talk” she and Laurie gave in class;
·       What Marisa likes about the EmpowerHER program; and
·       Why Laurie says writing this book has been transformative for her.

I hope you enjoy my discussion with Laurie O’Neil and Marisa da Silva.

Links & resources for this episode

• Graceful Woman Warrior - book - book trailer - web site

• empowerHER

• Good Grief Program Boston Medical Center: Supporting Children Through Grief

• The Cove - Center for Grieving Children

More links for listeners

• Download: Kids & Grief: What You Need to Know

• Article: I’m a Widowed Mom: Here Are My 3 Tips for COVID-19 Widows

• Book: Widowed Parents Unite: 52 Tips to Get Through the First Year, from One Widowed Parent to Another

Thank you sponsors & partners:

Help Texts - Grief support text messaging service. Tips and support delivered all year long, personalized based on your loss. Listeners get $10 off: https://helptexts.com/jennylisk

BetterHelp - Talk with a licensed, professional therapist online. Get 10% off your first month: betterhelp.com/widowedparent

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