Donna Morrissey and her four siblings were gathered together, sharing stories and drinks, when a revelation struck her. Growing up in Newfoundland, Morrissey and her sisters had a close bond with their mother indoors, while her brothers engaged in outdoor activities with their father. This dynamic persisted into adulthood, with Morrissey realizing there were aspects of her late father’s life that she was unaware of.
From that evening of storytelling emerged 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 narrative revolves around Morrissey’s father coping with the loss of his wife to cancer, it also delves into other tragic events such as the death of Morrissey’s brother, Ford, in a workplace accident decades ago.
Reflecting on the process, Morrissey expressed how writing this memoir, unlike her fictional works, evoked deep emotions, even bringing her to tears. Despite drawing inspiration from personal experiences for her novels, she found it challenging to create characters who could convey the rawness of these real-life stories.
The chapters in the book are narrated from the perspectives of Morrissey and her siblings, with each chapter specifying the viewpoint. Bringing these stories to life involved numerous discussions between Morrissey and her siblings, prompting detailed conversations and occasional disagreements that were swiftly resolved.
Although the siblings have always shared a strong bond, the book played a significant role in deepening their connection further. Morrissey emphasized that the memoir is an ongoing journey, shaping their lives and relationships continuously.
Dr. Simon Sherry, a psychologist at Crux Psychology in Halifax, highlighted the enduring nature of grief, noting that individuals maintain a dynamic relationship with their departed loved ones. He explained that while people evolve over time, their emotional ties to those they have lost endure, offering a form of solace.
Morrissey aspires for her book to prompt readers to reflect on their own family dynamics and provide a guide for those interested in documenting their family history. She emphasized the evolving nature of their shared experiences, stressing how the book has brought her and her siblings closer as they navigate life’s challenges together.