Coauthors
Janie
Fields
Bereaved Mother
I have been blessed with three wonderful children. I have been married for 45 years to my high school sweetheart, David. I lost my father 39 years ago, and just recently lost my mother. I have one brother that remains a hero in my heart. My sons are married to wonderful young women, Lisa and Angela. I have two grandsons, Garand 15 and Owen 4 years old.
I work for Fayette County Board of Education in Lexington, KY at an elementary school in technology as the school’s micro-computer specialist. I love being with the children as they learn new technology! I love to be outdoors, especially working in my many flower gardens. I have a darling little Shih Tzu named Lulu that brings much happiness to my heart!
Shortly, after Missy’s accident, with blessings from our wonderful church we built a beautiful prayer garden to memorialize past members and honor those still with us. My husband, sons and myself worked almost every weekend for two years on this project. The Faith, Hope and Love Garden has a beautiful fountain with a statue of a young girl holding a butterfly. The statue is surrounded by colorful flowers, bushes and trees that are home to many birds and butterflies. I go to the garden to center myself. I talk with Missy and with God.
Life without Missy has changed me in every possible way. I have struggled for so long, but finally after twelve years, I am beginning to tell Missy’s life story instead of the death story. She was and will always be my heart and soul.
Janie & Missy
Patricia Hollingsworth
Bereaved Mother
I’m Patty Hollingsworth a pediatric orthopedic nurse who lost her daughter, Keeley, to cancer in 2009. I’ve enjoyed a long and distinguished career as a nurse, having over forty years of experience in the field. For the past twenty-five years, I worked at the Shriners Hospital for Children in Lexington, Kentucky.
Despite this extensive experience caring for children and their families, I found myself powerless over my daughter’s terminal disease. When Keeley was diagnosed with brain cancer at only twenty-three years of age, I was challenged with the formidable task of making the best out of a harrowing situation.
Keeley’s death left me in the greatest despair. I was consumed with grief, anger, fear, loneliness and depression. After many years of grieving, I managed to rediscover my faith and hope through my friendships with others, who, like myself, had lost a child. These friendships reminded me that was not alone on this hellacious journey and that hope and survival can prevail. Although Keeley ultimately lost her battle to cancer, my extraordinary love for my daughter, as well as my determination to preserve Keeley’s legacy, have endured. This book serves as evidence of that love and determination. Through hours, days, months and years of soul searching and tear-jerking anguish, the words of this book have brought healing to me, and it is my hope that this book can offer the same healing to others.
Originally from Middlesboro, Kentucky, I currently reside in Lexington with my husband, Berkeley, to whom I have been married for thirty-six years. Berkeley and I have two beautiful children, Keeley and Hall, a daughter-in-law Crista, and two grandchildren, Winston and Darcy.
Keeley
Suzie
McDonald
Bereaved Mother
I’m Suzie McDonald and I am certified in Cardiology and for the past 30 years have worked with the same Cardiology Group in Lexington, Ky. During this time I also worked in Cardiac Rehab, Phase II and Phase III as the Program Director and the Office Manager. The physicians, nurses and the clerical men and women have always been very supportive and understanding.
I am also Mom to Jamie, a very kind, loving, kind hearted and handsome young man that was taken from his family and friends far too soon. He made his living as a Licensed Specialty Welder traveling around the world doing what he loved to do. I always called him free spirited but now I refer to him as my “Free Spirited Angel”. Jamie also has a younger brother that he loved and cherished dearly. Since the loss of Jamie his brother has blessed this family with a beautiful granddaughter and another due in a couple of months. This family was very blessed to have had Jamie as long as we did and he will always be loved and remembered.
Jamie
Written to address a bereaved mother, Softening the Grief, is beneficial to anyone interested in helping others cope with grief. Medical field, grief counselors, clergy, friends, and family members; Softening the Grief, will help you provide hope.
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