Donna Morrissey and her four siblings were reminiscing over drinks one evening when she had an epiphany. Growing up in Newfoundland, Morrissey and her sisters had close bonds with their mother indoors, while her brothers gravitated towards outdoor activities with their father. Even into adulthood, this pattern persisted when the family reunited.
Listening to her brothers share stories about their late father revealed a side of him that Morrissey had never 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 delves into Morrissey’s father’s grief after losing his wife to cancer, it also explores other tragic events, such as the death of Morrissey’s brother, Ford, in a workplace accident four decades ago.
Reflecting on this experience, Morrissey, who divides her time between Halifax and her home province, expressed how hearing her siblings’ untold stories was emotionally challenging. Despite being an accomplished author of numerous fictional works, delving into her family’s memoir evoked raw emotions that even brought her to tears.
The book is narrated from the perspectives of Morrissey and her siblings, with each chapter clearly identifying the viewpoint. Crafting these stories for publication involved in-depth discussions and probing questions among the siblings, occasionally leading to minor disagreements that were swiftly resolved.
Despite their longstanding closeness, the process of creating the book has strengthened the bond among Morrissey and her siblings. Looking ahead, Morrissey anticipates that the book will encourage readers to reflect on their own family dynamics and inspire those interested in documenting their family history.
Dr. Simon Sherry, a psychologist at Crux Psychology in Halifax, shared insights on grief, emphasizing that even after a loved one’s passing, individuals can maintain a profound emotional connection and ongoing relationship with them.
Morrissey hopes that her memoir serves as a blueprint for others navigating similar family narratives and fosters deeper connections within families. The shared storytelling experience has not only brought her and her siblings closer but also highlighted the enduring impact of their collective history on their lives.
