Donna Morrissey and her four siblings were reminiscing over drinks one evening when she had a profound realization. Growing up in Newfoundland, Morrissey and her sisters predominantly stayed indoors with their mother, while her brothers engaged in outdoor activities with their father. This pattern persisted into adulthood, with Morrissey feeling she didn’t fully know her late father’s side of the story.
This reflective moment 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 focuses on their father’s grief following their mother’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.
Morrissey, who splits her time between Halifax and her home province during the seasons, found the process of writing this memoir emotionally challenging compared to her fictional works. The stories shared by her siblings, which were unfamiliar to her, evoked deep emotions, even bringing her to tears.
The chapters in the book are narrated from the viewpoints of Morrissey and her siblings, with each chapter specifying the narrator. Crafting these stories for publication involved numerous discussions among the siblings, with probing questions to capture the essence of their experiences and emotions during those challenging times.
Despite occasional disagreements among the siblings, they quickly reconciled, strengthening their bond through the process of recounting their shared past. Morrissey emphasized that the book has brought them even closer together, allowing them to confront the tragedies they’ve faced as a family.
Dr. Simon Sherry, a psychologist at Crux Psychology in Halifax, highlighted the enduring nature of grief, noting that people can maintain a dynamic relationship with their departed loved ones. He explained that while death may separate individuals physically, the emotional connection persists, offering a form of solace.
Morrissey aspires for her book to prompt readers to reflect on their own family dynamics and inspire those wanting to document their family history. The passage of time has enabled her and her siblings to confront their shared traumas and cherish their bonds, recognizing that their collective narrative continues to shape their lives and relationships.
[Image: A photo depicts Donna Morrissey at the center surrounded by her four siblings. Submitted by Penguin Random House Canada.]
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