We are thirteen mothers who have been writing together since October 2002. You will meet us on this blog as we continue to write, and now you can also meet us in the recently published book Farther Along: The Writing Journey of Thirteen Bereaved Mothers.
Twice a year, we meet for writing retreats, usually in the mountains or at the sea. We cry together, we laugh, we eat, we run or walk or swim. We share soup and solace and the words of our hearts. We write together surrounded by foggy mountain skies and the iambic meter of the ocean.
Among us, we have lost fourteen children. Without their deaths, we probably would not have known each other; our lives were disparate (and maybe desperate too), yet we have found solace and healing connections as we have continued to write.
We marked ten years of writing together by traveling to a château in France for a week of writing. We are ready to share some of our stories both in this blog and in the book, Farther Along: The Writing Journey of Thirteen Bereaved Mothers.
Use the menu at the top of the page to find pages on our site or the links that follow.
- Click on About Us to see updates about the thirteen writers in our group.
- Choose Writings from Prompts to read some of our pieces written to prompts.
- News about the book includes links to news articles about the book and reviews.
- How to purchase Farther Along offers sales information.
- Book Events keeps an updated list of events: symposia, readings, signings and sales for the book.
- Or click on Writing Workshops to find events using the book’s reflective writing either as events open to the community or as ongoing workshops.
- Choose Wise Words to see thoughts about our journeys or Recipes to share some of our comfort food or Art Works to see art that we have created.
- Sisterhood of the Traveling Sign starts a once-in-a-while serial story of the travels of a special sign.
- More Links and Resources offers links to other blogs and sites that we have found helpful.
- To read all of the work of a specific writer on the blog, you can go to About Us and click on the link at the end of each writer’s bio. Most recent writings appear as links with the writer’s name in WRITERS IN OUR GROUP on the left sidebar on each page of the site.
Farther Along 
May I just say WOW. I honor what you’re doing. Since Philip died I am desperate to make meaning in my life, and I know that so many parents who suffer this feel the same. Right now I’m so despairing that I can’t often focus. That’s why I started my blog – to focus, to begin to integrate my son’s death into my life. I cry as I write this; I miss my son, I miss him so. You are thirteen wonderful people. Blessings to you all.
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Denise,
For the thirteen of us, writing has been a lifeline and a way to remember our children and hold them close–and share their lives with others. We hope it continues to be so for you too. Peace to you in this journey.
Kay
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Sherri,
We hope that the stories of our own grief journeys and the reflective writing that has become a lifeline for us can offer you hope, comfort and some solace too. And even if our thoughts seem to be together sometimes now in the writings we do, please know that we have also been where you are on this path. We are beside you too. You have already started by writing those facts in the comment you left. Keep writing. Peace and comfort to you,
Kay
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I lost my son, my only child Garrett on January 5, 2013. He was only 24 years old and left behind a 2 year old little girl. His loss was very sudden. A car accident late one night then having to give permission to remove him from life support the next day. I cannot fathom how any of you could get your thoughts together enough to talk about your children, much less write about them and your loss at the time that you started this project. I just cannot get past all this. I have not had the chance to get or read the book yet, but I have been looking for something to read that would speak to me and to my grief. I haven’t found anything yet. Congratulations on the book. I hope to get the energy to order it and the courage to try to read it soon.
Sherri
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January 5, 2014 marked the one year anniversary of my son Garrett’s passing. Does life go on? Well, yes in some respects, it does. Garrett was an organ donor, and to date, we have received one letter from a recipient. So, yes it does go on for some. I still feel at times that I am stuck on the night of January 4 and the day of January 5, 2013 and everyone else has moved on. I get up, go to work, go through the motions. This new normal is very hard to get used to. I got the book and finally read it. It spoke to me and I could identify with all of you. We are all a part of a club that no one wants to be a part of. My husband and I have found a hospice group for parents who have lost an adult child. We found it right after my first post to you in June 2013. When we first went, there were SO many people there that had recently lost children. Each month, there have been more and more new people. It is sad, but a reality that we each have had to face and thank God there are people we can try to relate to. Otherwise, I am not sure where we would be right now. Thank you again for all your hard work on this project. I would love to do something like this with a small group at our church. There has been so much loss there. I think that this would be a good idea for any community to have if possible. May God bless all of you.
Sherri Wilson
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Sheri,
It sounds like you have the strength and determination to start a small group at your church to keep the memory of your son, Garrett, alive. Thank you for responding to our blog site and book. We as a writing group hope to be an inspiration to others such as yourself. Sincerely, Monica
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Congratulations on publishing your book! Great to know that 13 mothers can come together and publish a book.Very encouraging! Have a lovely week!
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Thank you Liz for your comment, and for viewing our blog site. I enjoyed your blog site very much. Keep up the great work and I plan to visit your site often. Hope you have a great week, too. Sincerely, Monica
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I am interested in buying your book for an elderly friend of mine who would need it in large print. Is that available, and how much is the book?
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Joyce,
The book is not available in large print unless you count the ability to enlarge the font on the ebook edition available from Amazon. Purchase information is available at https://fartheralongbook.com/how-to-purchase-a-book/. The book is available at all the book events mentioned on the Book Events page at https://fartheralongbook.com/book-events. Most of the mothers from the book have copies available, SECU Family House next to Hospice and Palliative Carecenter of Winston-Salem has copies for sale, and the book can be ordered from Amazon and other online book sellers. A click on most mentions of the book title on this site will lead you to Amazon where the book is on sale. Let me know by email if you cannot find one from one of these sources: kehwindsor1 at gmail dot com. The book usually sells for $20 and proceeds go to the SECU Family House in Winston-Salem.
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Amazing connections. I hope the book brings you solace and hope.
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There at the library, in between the mysteries, was Farther Along. It has been 24 years since we lost Greg but I somehow knew this was a book I should read. As I picked it up and began to browse I saw the group’s favorite song was also my grandfather’s favorite song and then another surprise, the arrangement they favored was written by John Starling. John’s grandfather and my grandmother were brother and sister. And then, I realized the young woman sitting across from me in a bible study group was one of the Thirteen, Beverly.
I have read and reread, renewed and rerenewed the book, each time discovering something else bereaved mothers have in common. Thank you Moms, you touched my heart and soul.
Sandra D. Rogers
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Thank you for your response, Sandra. I hope our paths cross soon.
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I have just finished reading this awesome book of: Farther Along, The Writing Journey of Thirteen Bereaved Mothers! A wonderful revelation of healing to grieving hearts by sharing their innermost feelings and putting this in writing. Being the great grandmother of little Abigail Sechrist, I congratulate the author, Carol Henderson, and each contributor, for a well written book.
A must for any mother to read that has lost a child by death.
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Congratulations on your book. I just finished reading it. I wish I had kept in touch with you and gotten to meet Elizabeth. You taught me so much and continue to do so. Have a wonderful trip!
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Kay, what a wonderful thing you mothers have done. It is so rewarding to see what others can do with grief. Congrats on the book and enjoy the upcoming trip to France!!! Love you, Helen
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Thank you, Helen.
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