Donna Morrissey and her four siblings were sharing stories over drinks 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, keeping certain aspects of their father’s persona unknown to Morrissey.
From this night 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 book primarily delves into Morrissey’s father’s mourning over his wife’s cancer-related passing, it also sheds light on other tragic occurrences, such as the workplace accident that claimed Morrissey’s brother Ford’s life four decades ago.
Reflecting on the experience, Morrissey, who divides her time between Halifax and her home province, shared, “My own stories were familiar, but theirs were not. Listening to them recount their pain was quite poignant.”
Despite being an author of numerous fictional works, delving into a memoir like this exposed Morrissey to raw emotions. She remarked, “Some parts brought me to tears. Even now, my voice trembles as I mention it.”
The narrative unfolds through the perspectives of Morrissey and her siblings in individual chapters, each denoting the speaker. Crafting the stories for publication involved extensive discussions between Morrissey and her siblings, clarifying nuances and emotions surrounding pivotal events. Although disagreements arose among the siblings, who are self-professed frequent arguers, any tension was short-lived, and they swiftly reconciled.
While the siblings have always shared a close bond, the book has strengthened their connection even further. Morrissey expressed, “It would be comforting to say that putting it all down on paper was a huge relief, but the memoir doesn’t conclude. We continue to live those stories, and they continue to shape our lives.”
In a broader discussion on grief, Dr. Simon Sherry, a practicing psychologist at Crux Psychology in Halifax, highlighted the ongoing relationship individuals maintain with deceased loved ones. He emphasized the enduring emotional connection and attachment, even after a person’s passing, as a form of solace.
Morrissey aspires for her book to prompt readers to reflect on their own family dynamics and provide a blueprint for individuals seeking to document their family history. She noted that sufficient time has elapsed for her and her siblings to confront the multiple tragedies endured by their family, fostering a deeper appreciation for one another as they navigate life’s challenges together.