Everyone, at some point in their lives, will experience loss. And when faced with that empty feeling at a young age, it can be hard to cope with.
Melissa Winter knows that feeling.
Without thinking she’d ever share with the world a story that took her eight minutes to write, the first-time published childrens book author of “Butterfly Dreams,” will hold a book signing event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the International Falls Public Library.
“Butterfly Dreams was based on a real life story of two adult women, one of which passed away suddenly when she fell ill,” Winter of Calumet, Minn., told The Journal. “Her best friend and roommate tried to resuscitate her and she died en route to the hospital. My cousin Kathi Revsbeck read my book and told me I had to get this published, that people needed this book, that her own nephews would need it. So I sent it in on Aug. 5 of 2011 and by Aug. 10, I had a contract. Kathi never got to read it, she died before it made it to print.”
A release said Winter’s book is designed to help children who have or will experience the loss of a best friend or person close to them. In this story, Maddy loses her best friend, Allie, and feels sad, scared, and alone. She must learn how to work through her grief as a special visitor teaches her about life and love.
“I feel it is a helpful story for children of all ages, including adults,” Winter explained. “I have learned that grief is so deeply personal for everyone. No one is exempt from it. We all feel it and experience in our lifetime one way or the other. I believe that those we love and have had to say goodbye to are always with us in our memories and in little things that happen along the way.”
Winter continued that the book came to fruition through her best friend's original illustrations being used within the book.
“The (publishing) company likes to use their own illustrators, and I was pleased that they loved my best friend's illustrations enough to use them and acknowledge her,” Winter said.
Although Winter is not from the area, the author says she has been to Borderland several times and is looking forward to her return.
She is hopeful all readers will learn something from her book and take from it hope, healing, and love and comfort.
“Even though our loved ones have passed away, that they will always be with us, in our hearts, and in our memories,” she said. “Live your life with true intentions to make everything you do count. Don't wait to tell someone how you feel about them.”
Butterfly Dreams is available at www.tatepublishing.com; www.amazon.com; and www.barnesandnoble.com.
