Marian Grace Boyd
Marian Grace Boyd (B.R.E., B.A.Psych, M.A. Counseling Psych.) was born in Switzerland, lived in Chad, Africa and then settled in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Marian has 30+ years experience as a psychotherapist, adoption practitioner, grief counsellor. She brings her formal training and experiences of grief together in order to co-author Remember, It's OK. Marian is passionate about helping people find peace and hope.
Chicken House Press is thrilled to announce the acquisition of a six book series on grief from co-creators Marina L. Reed and Marian Grace Boyd.
BOOKS BY THE AUTHOR
“I didn’t know what to expect when I opened the pages of this book. I lost a dear friend of mine last year. It has been a hard year. This book was a welcome comfort.” - Jennifer Hawkins
Losing a sibling can feel like losing a piece of yourself. Your family has been rocked.
Losing a friend can feel exactly the same, often without the validation from family and friends.
The bond that connects us to people we love is strong, and their loss creates a hole in our lives. It can feel like that hole is bottomless. It’s not.
Remember, it’s OK. You are not alone. We will help you find your way back. We are here for you.
“Nobody wants to talk about their grief. Teen years are when we are trying to figure out who we are as a person, and when something in our life causes grief to happen, it makes things so much more confusing. This book will give teens the hope they need and want.” - Kayleigh Hart-Robertson
This book, Loss for Teens was written in consultation with teens who had lost a friend, sibling, parent or other important person in their lives. From our research, we found that teens have little to no support for their grief and are often not taken seriously due to their age. This book gives them a voice and offers them support and help so they don’t have to feel alone. It also allows parents, educators and support workers an understanding into the mindset of a teen suffering from grief and gives this support person a way to help.
The book weaves "Moments" (written in first person, like a personal diary entry of the teen's thoughts and feelings) into a spectrum of six colours, as a road map forward. Each "Moment” has a companion response of support which could be a friend, family member, colleague or therapist. There are also blank pages for students to express themselves and so understand their feelings.
Grief can no longer be left on a back burner, to solve itself. It doesn't happen like that. So many young people are crippled by grief and have little to no support and help. It affects their school/work-life, their personal life, relationships, their view of the world and their future. We offer hope and a way forward.
This book could be valuable in a high school Health or Civics course, as well as something available in the library and guidance centre.
“I often questioned if I was ‘feeling,’ ‘remembering,’ ‘honouring’ the loss of my parents the right way. Remember, It’s OK reinforces that there is no right way, no one way. My way is just fine.” - Marla Arndt
Losing a parent is heartbreaking. They brought you into the world and through your beginning years. They are part of your life, your fabric. They affect your self-esteem, how you make decisions, how you deal with relationships, children, work, choices. The loss of a parent can be complex in so many ways. In the second book in the Remember series, we help you deal with the loss of parents. Whether it was a warm relationship or one fraught with difficulty, we will help you find your way through your grief journey.
The book weaves "Moments" (written in first person, like a personal diary entry of the griever's thoughts and feelings) into a spectrum of six colours, as a road map forward. Each "Moment” has a companion response of support which could be a friend, family member, colleague or therapist. There are blank pages for expression and journaling, allowing you to document your own grief journey.
This book is also for those who are supporting a friend or loved one after the loss of their parent. It will help you find the right words to say, when to speak no words at all, when to comfort, when to stand back. We all need to understand the grief journey with gentleness. You can now attempt to take on the role of “companion”, we show you how in these pages.
“I wish I’d had this book soon after my love died. I didn’t feel I had anyone I could talk to and that no one understood me.” - Sarah Milton
The loss of your partner, your love, your other half, is heartbreaking. Nothing prepares us for the loss of one we deeply love. In the first book in the Remember series, we help you deal with your loss and the tumultuous emotions circling around. You will find resonance, comfort and validation in these pages. This book is written for you.
The book weaves "Moments" (written in first person, like a personal diary entry of thoughts and feelings) into a spectrum of six colours, as a road map forward. Each "Moment” has a companion response of support which could be a friend, family member, colleague or therapist. There are also blank pages to give space for personal expression and reflection.
This book is also for those who are supporting a friend or loved one after the loss of their partner. It will help you find the right words to say, when to speak no words at all, when to comfort, when to stand back. We all need to understand the grief journey with gentleness. Attempt to take on the role of “companion,” we show you how in these pages.
“As I picked up this book and started reading, it immediately tugged at my heart and soul. Having pets as part of my family for most of my life, I know loss is inevitable. But the depth of that pain is unexpected.” - Thom Grace
Losing a pet is heartbreaking. They are part of your life, your family, your heart. So many people who lose a pet friend suffer in silence. It can often be difficult to get understanding and validation for the depth of that loss. We will do both.
Your pet was your family, regardless of what others may think or say. Grief will find its way into your life. Remember, it’s OK. You are not alone. Your grief is real, and we are here to help you on your grief journey.
Alanna Rusnak
With over eighteen years of design experience, powerful understanding of publishing technology, a passionate love for stories, and a desire to make dreams come true, Alanna Rusnak is your advocate, mentor, friend, cheerleader, and the owner/operator of Chicken House Press.
“It was interesting to hold Remember, It’s OK: Loss of a Child in my hands. It felt different right from the get-go. The cover was gentle, and that was what I needed when we lost our son: gentleness.” - A.P.B., Business owner
Remember, It’s OK: Loss of a Child is an experiential book. You will live this book, not just read it.
Remember, It’s OK is a series of books dealing with grief. This book supports the reader with the loss of a child, regardless of the age.
Whether you are a mother or father, grandmother or grandfather, aunt or uncle, godparent, relative or caregiver, this book will support you. This book is for you, the one left behind. The loss of a child can be particularly hard to come to terms with; emotions are often hidden and well protected.
This book reaches your emotions through poetry and prose. If the prose proves too raw for you, slip into a soft poem and reach your emotions through that back door. We give you options in this difficult journey you did not expect.