These were words heard fairly regularly as Judy went about her work as spiritual director and expressive arts guide, and even in response to some of her own writings and explorations.
Later, I heard these same words in the form of, “What are you going to do with this, Roy?” when I shared some of my journaling and poetry. It had become my spiritual lifeline as I navigated my devastating grief upon Judy’s death from glioblastoma multiforme, the deadliest form of brain cancer.
Several people suggested that my vulnerability and willingness to chronicle my own experience, incorporating devotionals, poetry, prayers, and raw grief into the day-to-day business of surviving a loss such as this might be helpful for others, especially grieving men.
When I told Melinda Folse, our sister-in-law and published author, that I wanted to publish Judy’s art and writings, she was intrigued. Together we pored over several of Judy’s journals from before she got sick—and then her few precious volumes during her diagnosis, surgeries, stroke, physical therapy, and cancer treatments. I also shared with Melinda some of my own journals that began shortly after Judy’s death.
Excitedly onboard now, she suggested we build our story as a beacon of hope, laced with tools for hands-on help, that will invite and support readers on the inevitable journey we all must one day face—end of life or the loss of someone we love. “These are universal experiences,” she said. “And we can show people how to find light and hope along their way.”
And so it began. We scanned hundreds of Judy’s art creations. Melinda then began her painstaking work of turning 300,000 words from Judy’s Journals and nearly 700,000 words from mine into a tight, impactful 85,000-word, 299-page book prepared and published by The Jenkins Group in Traverse City Michigan. It was not a coincidence that Melinda had just met Leah Nicholson, of The Jenkins Group at an ASJA Ghostwriting meeting in Chicago the fall before.
A Book is Born
With our official launch for this labor of love set for December 1, we gathered together a list of friends, family, colleagues and anyone who might want to join our celebration. Because Roy and his now-wife June live in Kennebunk, Maine and we wanted to include Judy’s friends and colleagues from far and wide, including Wellstreams, Expressive Arts Florida Institute, many from the Dominican Sisterhood and others geographically scattered, we decided to do a virtual launch party on the eve of this beautiful book’s official debut.
The emotion and love were palpable, even via Zoom. We hosted a lively, interactive discussion, a wine and pie toast to Judy (heavily encouraging everyone to bring their own wine and perhaps a slice of pie because Judy loved pie), and some delightful reminiscing. We also opened the floor for sharing of any thoughts, insights, and questions to help guide our book into many, many hands and hearts of readers who will benefit from it most.
We are so grateful to have such good friends and well-wishers behind us as we at last share what we believe will be a game changer for people struggling with grief and the end of life—their own or the life of someone they love.
