Grief is one of the most uniquely individual yet universal human experiences.
Donna Downs, associate professor of communication, captures the complexity and weight of the emotion in the simple prose of a children’s story titled, “Always and Forever.”
Her book depicts grief and bereavement through the lens of a young girl who experiences the loss of her grandmother. The novel depicts the young girl’s special bond with her grandmother as she reflects on the special activities they shared.
To produce the book, Downs collaborated with Elena Delzer, a 2024 Taylor University grad and illustration major. Downs and Delzer worked together to bring the story to life through its illustrations.
“I wanted something a little more realistic, because it’s a book about a little girl whose grandmother died,” Downs said. “I felt that didn’t need cartoons.”
Downs’ vision to faithfully illustrate the reality of grief was fulfilled by Delzer when she saw her portfolio and was impressed by the realism of her drawings.
Her vision for the story was shared by Delzer.
“When we met and talked it over, our goal was that it would touch lives,” Downs said. “I mean, we knew it wouldn’t be a bestseller. It’s not like ‘Brown Bear, Brown Bear’ that people read to their kids every night. It’s not that kind of book. But really, it’s a book for all ages.”
Downs’ book is a testament to her own life and journey with grief.
In fact, part of her inspiration for the story was an observation of her own relationships. Her experience with her aging parents has caused her to reflect on the fragility of life.
“I was just thinking about my parents passing on and thinking about my own children as the grandkids of my mom and dad,” Downs said. “And I have sons. I don’t have a daughter, but I kind of integrated my parents’ state, specifically my mom, with some of the fun things I do with my granddaughter. That kind of brought (the book) together … One of my friends said, ‘Well, maybe you really wrote that book for yourself, because you’re processing the grief.”
The groundwork for the story started when she took a children’s writing class at Taylor through the professional writing degree program last spring. “Always and Forever” was one of the stories she had written for the class.
After visiting a publishing conference in Wheaton, Illinois, she found success with Redemption Press, a Christian publishing company.
“I took it to the Write to Publish conference (and) showed it to a few other authors too, and it just seemed like it made a difference to people, like it was something that they were kind of cheering on,” Downs said.
For Downs, making sure her story was heard and accessible was a top priority.
Although the book is for children, the simple rhymes of her book moved many.
“One woman bought it for her granddaughter, and then she came back and bought about three more for some of her friends’ granddaughters,” Downs said. “I could tell it was touching lives. And I think that’s the most memorable part.”
When was Downs able to find new meaning in the book she had written?
While caring for her own aging mother.
“After I had been called to my mom’s side and spent a week with her, and then came home, the proof of the book was in the mail,” she said. “I literally sat down and read it again and cried, because I had just spent this very difficult emotional time with my own mother.”
Her hope is for readers of all ages to make peace with loss.
She hopes that they will use this book as a reminder to cherish the loved ones in their own lives and the memories made together.
“Faith is living out the love that Jesus showed us,” she said. “Whatever you’re doing with the people that you love, you’re showing them a part of yourself. You’re showing them a part of Jesus.”
Interested readers can find “Always and Forever” at most major bookstores, on Amazon or by contacting Downs directly.
