Donna Morrissey and her four siblings were reminiscing and sharing stories one evening when she had an epiphany. While growing up in Newfoundland, Morrissey and her sisters typically stayed indoors with their mother, while her brothers engaged in outdoor activities with their father. This pattern persisted into adulthood and prompted Morrissey to realize there was a side to her father she was unaware of.
From that revelatory night emerged Morrissey’s latest book, “Tell It to the Water: Five Siblings Tell of Their Father’s Grief and His Struggle Back to Hope.” Although the focus is on their father’s mourning over his wife’s cancer-related death, other tragic events, such as the loss of Morrissey’s brother Ford in a workplace accident four decades ago, feature prominently.
Reflecting on this experience, Morrissey expressed how hearing her brothers’ untold stories of pain was quite poignant for her. Despite being an author of numerous fictional works, delving into a memoir like this left her emotionally exposed, leading her to tears during the process.
The chapters in the book offer insights from Morrissey and her siblings, with each chapter clearly indicating the narrator. Bringing these stories to life involved extensive discussions among the siblings, delving into the emotions and meanings behind pivotal moments.
Although tensions briefly flared during these conversations, Morrissey highlighted that their close bond always prevailed, fostering even deeper connections among the siblings. The book not only brought them together but also allowed them to view their shared tragedies from a new perspective.
Dr. Simon Sherry, a psychologist at Crux Psychology in Halifax, discussed the complexity of grief, emphasizing that even after losing a loved one, people maintain a dynamic relationship with them. This ongoing attachment and emotional bond continue to shape one’s life, offering a form of solace amid loss.
Morrissey aspires for her book to inspire readers to reflect on their own family dynamics and provide a blueprint for those wanting to document their family history. Despite the challenges of revisiting past traumas, she emphasized how the process has strengthened their familial ties, making them cherish each other even more as they navigate life’s ups and downs together.