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 primarily spent time indoors with their mother, while her brothers engaged in outdoor activities with their father. Even into adulthood, this pattern persisted during family gatherings.
Listening to her brothers share stories about their late father, Morrissey discovered a side of him she was unaware of. 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.”
Although the book focuses on Morrissey’s father’s grief following his wife’s death from cancer, it also delves into other tragic events, such as the loss of Morrissey’s brother, Ford, in a workplace accident four decades ago.
Reflecting on the experience, Morrissey, who divides her time between Halifax and her home province in the summers, expressed the emotional impact of hearing her siblings’ untold stories and wounds.
As an author of nearly a dozen fictional works, Morrissey typically maintains a distance from her characters’ emotions. However, writing this memoir exposed her to raw emotions, eliciting tears and trembling in her voice.
In crafting the book, chapters are narrated from the perspectives of Morrissey and her siblings, each chapter clearly attributed to the viewpoint. The process involved numerous discussions between Morrissey and her siblings, delving into the nuances of their shared experiences and emotions.
Despite occasional tensions arising from their discussions, Morrissey noted that her siblings, despite frequent disagreements, quickly reconciled, cementing their close bond further through the book.
While the book serves as a platform for sharing their family history, Morrissey emphasized that their stories continue to shape their lives, fostering deeper connections among the siblings.
Dr. Simon Sherry, a psychologist at Crux Psychology in Halifax, explained the enduring nature of grief, highlighting the ongoing emotional connection individuals maintain with deceased loved ones.
Morrissey aspires for the book to prompt readers to reflect on their own family dynamics and encourage those interested in documenting their family’s history. She emphasized that the shared tragedies have brought her and her siblings closer, underscoring the ongoing impact of their stories on their lives.
By offering a candid portrayal of familial bonds and grief, Morrissey’s book aims to inspire introspection and storytelling among readers, fostering deeper connections and understanding within families.