Connie Easterbrook's daughter, Simone, died in a car accident when she was twenty-one. My Daughter, Myself is Connie's exploration of the complex relationship she had with Simone, and her complicated experience of grief.
Paperback
PRODUCT INFORMATION
Summary
Connie Easterbrook's daughter, Simone, died in a car accident when she was twenty-one. My Daughter, Myself is Connie's exploration of the complex relationship she had with Simone, and her complicated experience of grief.
Description
Grief and mourning are taboo subjects in our society, so how do you interact with the world when yours has been ripped apart by loss? Until recently, people's struggles with mental health and parenting were also hidden topics. Connie Easterbrook was raised in a Dutch household, where sterkte (meaning 'strength') was the way to resolve life's problems, but life didn't bless her with an easy path. Connie was a sensitive and anxious child who, despite having four children, didn't find parenting easy. Her eldest daughter, Simone, died in a car accident when she was twenty-one, yet this was the second tragedy Connie had faced, because her youngest brother had died by suicide when he was twenty-seven.
My Daughter, Myself is Connie's journey towards understanding the complex mother-daughter relationship she had with Simone, and her complicated experience of grief. As Connie studied psychology and counselling, her parenting struggles, her losses and her battles with depression became clearer. My Daughter, Myself exposes the flaws of our keep-calm-and-carry-on culture while shining a light on personal insight and growth.
Critic Reviews
'The process of grieving can feel wild, chaotic and unpredictable. Connie Easterbrook takes our hand and walks us through her complex story of loving, losing and reconstructing a world of meaning following the death of her beloved daughter Simone.' Christopher Hall, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement
'It fills me with great pride to be part of a movement where addressing our experiences of grief and loss is accepted as the new normal. Connie and her heartwarming story My Daughter, Myself is a must read and a major contributing factor to such a powerful and healing movement. This beautiful book provides peace and connection to those suffering unimaginable pain.' James Thomas, co-founder of Feel the Magic'Connie's book will inspire and encourage all her readers. In her real, raw and passionate way, she shows that despite the most difficult losses in life, you can grow and heal. After very hard work, Connie has transformed her suffering into meaningful growth. She has become my teacher in grief and trauma as a friend and as a professional. She is my role model for resilience and hope. May she inspire you, too.' Beaté Steller, Accredited Mental Health Social Worker M.A.P.S. M.A.Ed B.S.W. (Hon) R.N.'The greatest emotions are soulful and indescribable. In My Daughter, Myself, Connie Easterbrook tells grief like it is, from the heart. She gives us a deep and moving insight into the powerful inner life of the bereaved, and the soul's journey through loss. Connie weaves a tapestry that envelops the reader, and brings us an acute observation of how family relationships and the grief journey play out amidst the generational trauma of our family of origin.She also gives us a window into what she describes as "the inner light" of those we have loved and lost - the light we do not always see in its totality when they are alive, "the transcendent power of the invisible string".' Patricia Therese Benedict Thomas, Grief Care managing consultant 'Connie took me on a journey that was not only deeply moving but also inspiring and hopeful. At times I felt as if she was writing directly to me! She shares her story of loss, anguish, pain and self-discovery in a way that is remarkably brave, honest and raw. Throughout the book there are gems of wisdom and advice based on her personal experience as a grieving mother and as a wise and insightful therapist.' Karen Triggs, MA Art Therapy, BA Psychology, Grad Dip Sexology, B TeachingAbout the Author
Connie Easterbrook is a professional counsellor. She holds a Bachelor of Social Science from Southern Cross University, a Graduate Certificate in Emotionally Focused Therapy and a Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training. Over the past eighteen years, Connie has held positions at Lifeline, Anglicare, Relationships Australia and Catholic Care. She has also provided training to TAFE, St Mark's National Theological Centre, community groups and churches. Given Connie's personal experiences, she chose to work in the grief and loss field for many years, assisting individuals and agencies. She provided training, facilitated support groups, and spoke publicly about both suicide postvention, and grief and loss. 'My Daughter, Myself' is Connie's first book, written in response to her grief following the tragic death of her daughter, Simone, at the age of twenty-one. In 2016, Connie's short story 'Big Grief' was published in the Hunter Writers Centre publication, 'Grieve'. Connie currently runs a small private practice; she also works as a counsellor and relationship educator for Relationships Australia. She lives in the Sutherland Shire with her husband, Tony, her youngest son, Matthew, and their naughty puppy, Bailey.
Product Details
Returns
This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.
Browse by category
- Books » Non-Fiction » Self-Help & Personal Development » Self-Help » Death & Grief
- Books
- Books » Non-Fiction
- Books » Non-Fiction » Self-Help & Personal Development
- Books » Non-Fiction » Self-Help & Personal Development » Self-Help
- Books » Non-Fiction » Health, Fitness & Family » Parenting & Relationships » Parenting
- Books » Non-Fiction » Health, Fitness & Family
- Books » Non-Fiction » Health, Fitness & Family » Parenting & Relationships
- Books » Non-Fiction » Biographies & Memoirs
- Books » Non-Fiction » Health, Fitness & Family » Parenting & Relationships » Family Relationships
