Mother pens tribute to son who lost life to leukaemia
THERE'S a belief that when someone dies they send butterflies to those they left behind.
"I would have rejected such a notion once," Murwillumbah author Lorraine Grennan said.
Ms Grennan lost her 20-year-old son to leukaemia in 1983 and wrote a book about him and her experiences of grief as a result of his death.
She has been overwhelmed by the response from readers and has decided to relaunch the book Mick...Send Me a Butterfly with a few updates.
"I held no punches in writing the book," she said.
"I told it how it is and people who have gone through the loss of a child relate to it as a result."
Michael was quite a character.
He asked to have a wake before he died, so he could say goodbye to all his friends.
"He was so mature and calm about his own demise," Ms Grennan said.
"He comforted me much of the time."
The book aims to put people in touch with their feeling and let them know that their symptoms of grief, no matter how frightening, are normal.
Michael appeared on TV on a show called On Death and Dying showing great courage and humour.
"People were amazed by him," Ms Grennan said.
He wanted someone to write a book about his journey and she put her hand up for the task.
"No one knows a child like their mother does," Ms Grennan said.
"I want people to see that there is no hassle in dying," he told her at the time.
"He certainly left his mark," Ms Grennan said.
This inspirational true story of bravery and resilience cost $25 and is available through Judy Fraser.
Click here to visit Ms Grennan's website and buy the book.
