Mental Health: The Giver

March 15, 2022
The Giver

The Giver

Remembering a classicThe Giver.

Writing about one’s experiences:  Lois Lowry

Speaking about her writing, Lois Lowry said, first quoting from Shakespeare’s Macbeth: “‘Give sorrow words. The grief that does not speak whispers the o’er-fraught heart and bids it break.’” Lois then added, “And I think that’s true. I think it’s something that literature does, that writing does, that speaking about things does. It keeps our hearts from breaking.”

Writing, reading, sharing a story – helps us heal. When I counseled children dealing with loss, I listened as they “told” their stories with puppets, dolls, or drawings. Over and over a child would tell the same story, a story about loss or their story about trauma or abuse.

We all have losses.

Nancy Bo Flood

As a fish-brain surgeon or a rodeo poem wrangler, I have loved stories. I strongly believe that words – in poetry or prose – help heal our hearts and give us new eyes to see the world. I was first a research psychologist studying brain development at the University of Minnesota and London University before following my passion – writing for children. Learn more...