Donna Morrissey and her four siblings were sharing stories one evening when she had an epiphany. Growing up in Newfoundland, Morrissey and her sisters spent most of their time indoors with their mother, while their brothers engaged in outdoor activities with their father. Even as adults, this pattern persisted within the family dynamic.
During this storytelling session, as her brothers recounted tales about their late father, Morrissey discovered a side of him that she had not previously known. This revelation inspired Morrissey’s latest book, “Tell It to the Water: Five Siblings Tell of Their Father’s Grief and His Struggle Back to Hope.”
While the book primarily focuses on Morrissey’s father’s grief following his wife’s cancer-related death, it also delves into other tragic events, including the loss of Morrissey’s brother, Ford, in a workplace accident many years ago.
Reflecting on the process of writing this memoir, Morrissey, who splits her time between Halifax and her home province, expressed that delving into her siblings’ untold stories was emotionally challenging. As an author of numerous fictional works, the rawness and vulnerability of this non-fiction project evoked deep emotional responses from Morrissey.
The chapters of the book are narrated from the perspectives of Morrissey and her siblings, with each chapter explicitly identifying the viewpoint. Bringing these stories to life on paper involved extensive discussions with her siblings, delving into the emotions and meanings behind various events.
Despite the occasional tensions that arose during these conversations, Morrissey emphasized that the process ultimately strengthened the bond among the siblings. The book not only documents their shared experiences but also serves as a catalyst for deeper familial connections.
In discussing the psychology of grief, Dr. Simon Sherry, a practicing psychologist at Crux Psychology in Halifax, highlighted the enduring nature of relationships with lost loved ones. He underscored that even in death, individuals maintain a complex emotional attachment to those they have lost.
Looking ahead, Morrissey hopes that her book will encourage readers to reflect on their own family dynamics and inspire others to explore their family histories through writing. She emphasized that despite the tragedies her family has faced, the shared experiences have brought her and her siblings closer together, fostering a sense of precious interconnectedness.
By sharing their stories, Morrissey and her siblings have not only immortalized their family history but have also forged deeper bonds that continue to evolve with time.