The loss of a loved one can be difficult for anyone, but especially for children. Alexa Getchell knows that pain all too well. Now she is trying to help others by using her own experiences from both her personal and professional life.
In Getchell’s self-published book, “My Hot Air Balloon Ride,” the reader meets a child struggling with the passing of a loved one. At bedtime, his mother tells him to close his eyes, and they are transported to a beautiful hot air balloon that takes them up to see those who have passed. The boy shares stories and has memories with his loved ones. When the balloon lands, the little boy realizes that although he can’t physically see those he has lost, he can see them in his mind and feel them in his heart.
Getchell, who grew up in Franklin and now lives in Scituate, lost her father when she was only 13. Following her father’s death, she made a promise to herself to help others and ultimately became a pediatric nurse.
As a nurse, she came to realize that there are a lack of available resources for grief and loss, especially for kids. Children more often than not are the overlooked grievers. Many believe that children do not fully understand the gravity of death; Getchell, on the other hand, believes this to be “absolutely untrue.”
“I wish for this book to be a resource for these grieving families. I wrote this book in part to encompass any and all loss and to help children understand that although our loved ones may not be here physically, they are always with us because we can visit them in our memories,” she said.
While working on this project, tragedy struck Getchell and her family once again. Her brother passed away on Christmas Eve. Despite this, Getchell became more motivated than ever. Her brother was one of her biggest supporters, and he loved that she was helping children in similar situations to them find comfort, and in his memory Getchell is more determined than ever to get this book out there for anyone who needs it.
Getchell is self-published, going through much of the process entirely on her own. She says that the most difficult part of the process was getting her story out there.
“I’m a mom and nurse, so I don’t have much of a way to share my voice anywhere,” said Getchell. “But I just decided to put it all into the book and hope others will find it useful however they need it to be.”
Those who have had the privilege of hearing Getchell’s story have had nothing but praise. Many adults have reached out to her to reveal that the story has not only helped them to explain death to their children, but has aided them in the process of their own grief as well.
Getchell says that she believes that this book would have helped her as a child. She herself takes hot air balloon rides to visit her loved ones, and she has found a great deal of comfort in doing so.
She feels that now more than ever a book such as this is a much-needed resource for those dealing with grief and loss.
“This book not only can help children with their grief, but it can also act as a resource for any caregivers in their struggle to address this concept with children.,” she said. “My book is relatable for any loss for a child, not just a specific person. I allow the reader to understand it is OK to feel sad and also show that it is important to tell an adult how they feel. The story helps to understand that after someone dies their physical state may be gone, but the memories live on.”
Find the book at myhotairballoonride.com.
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