Donna Morrissey and her four siblings were reminiscing one evening when she had an epiphany. Growing up in Newfoundland, Morrissey and her sisters predominantly spent time indoors with their mother, while her brothers engaged in outdoor activities with their father. This pattern persisted into adulthood, revealing unknown aspects of their late father as her brothers shared stories.
The revelations from that night 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 narrative focuses on their father’s grief over his wife’s cancer-related death, it also delves into other tragic events, such as the loss of Morrissey’s brother, Ford, in a workplace accident years ago.
Reflecting on the experience, Morrissey, who splits her time between Halifax and her home province during the seasons, expressed the emotional impact of hearing her siblings’ untold stories. As a seasoned fictional writer, delving into the raw emotions of her family’s memoir proved to be a challenging and tear-inducing endeavor.
The book’s chapters offer perspectives from Morrissey and her siblings, with each chapter clearly indicating the viewpoint. Bringing the stories to life on paper involved numerous discussions among the siblings, leading to some tense moments but ultimately strengthening their bond.
Dr. Simon Sherry, a psychologist at Crux Psychology in Halifax, discussed the psychological aspects of grief, highlighting the ongoing connection individuals maintain with lost loved ones. Morrissey hopes the book will inspire readers to reflect on their own family dynamics and serve as a guide for those seeking to document their family history.
Despite the cathartic process of writing the memoir, Morrissey emphasized that their stories continue to shape their lives, bringing her closer to her siblings as they navigate past tragedies and embrace their shared journey of growth and vulnerability.