I became interested in writing after my father, Dr. Warren C. Widrich died. He was critically ill for two years, and during that time he was in and out of hospitals until his death in January 1988. I was only six and a half years old when he died. Since then, many other people close to me have also died. These experiences have given me empathy and insight into how children feel when faced with adversity.
The first step in the healing process was writing this book for children who have lost a parent. I started writing the book when I was seven and a half years old, though I had to stop for many years because the memories were too painful. Over the years I thought about how my life had changed, and once again I began to put my thoughts down on paper. To write a book that would help children adjust to this difficult situation was a dream of mine.
This year I was finally able to finish editing the book and make my dream a reality. The task was especially difficult for me because I had a traumatic birth history. That trauma left me with many learning disabilities and made both learning and emotional issues a major challenge.
In this passage through the Stages of Grief, I began to concentrate on other things that helped fulfill my life. With time I was able to develop new interests. Setting goals for myself helped me look toward the future. I learned how to drive a car, graduated Cum Laude from Mount Ida College, started doing community service with the elderly and began helping children with special needs. When I became aware of how fragile life is, I began researching my family tree and arranging family reunions. I am now known as the family historian. Now I enjoy writing, playing tennis, going to theater, taking part in trivia contests, and collecting decks of playing cards and Hard Rock Café “City” T-shirts. I continue to participate in many charity walks and also love traveling in the United States and abroad.
It is my hope that reading this book will be as therapeutic for you and your family as it has been for me to write. This book not only explains death in a way that young children can understand, but it also gives children and parents activities that will facilitate discussion and help the healing begin.