My book is published!

Dear Mom,

We did it!! We have been on a very special journey for twenty-five years and finally, after many years and tears, my book is finished. I am so grateful for all of the ways that you have helped me—through dreams, and visions, and sending me messages in many ways. You sent me a reassuring dream the night that you died, then for twenty-five years you constantly sent me people who could help in myriad ways. You sent ideas and even wrote me back two letters. All I had to do was listen and take dictation.

Then, last year as I was preparing the manuscript, a daunting task, you came to me in a remarkable dream. I had driven somewhere in the dream and now it was time to return. But it was pitch black now, and I could not see anything. I had no idea where I was going. Besides, I was driving on a narrow mountain road—one slip-up and I would have been killed. I was terrified.

Suddenly I looked to my right at the passenger’s seat and there you were. I could see you clearly but you were completely filled with light. In that moment, I knew I would be alright. I knew I would arrive. And you were right. I have arrived. My book of letters to you is published and on the market now. I am thrilled, and I know you are too.

I have even received an invitation to do a book signing at the Los Angeles Times International Book Festival next April. It is the largest in the country, drawing over a quarter of a million people. I feel very honored.

My greatest hope with this book has always been to help people who are grieving. Writing all those letters to you were the key to my healing. Not only could I accept peace but also I found a renewed hope and joy. Above all, I created a new, loving connection with you.

I am blessed to donate part of the proceedings from every book to Friends of Aine, a New Hampshire non-profit that helps grieving children. If we can teach children how to grief, then we can heal deep trauma so much earlier and create a healthier society.

One of the greatest lessons from this journey is that grief unites all humans. All of us!! At some point in our lives, we will all loose someone we love. By writing those letters, I developed a deep compassion for you and for myself. In turn, that compassion automatically spills out into the world. Can you imagine how wonderful the world would be if we all felt more compassion toward one another? Perhaps, in some tiny way, our book will contribute to that. I do hope so.

I am very grateful that you were my mother. I wish you had not left so early, but my journey through grief has taught me much and for that I am grateful as well.