We have been asked many times now what we think kids will get out of A HEART APART and we have many ideas, but the best information has come form our own kids. My daughter (6 years old) has witnessed 3 long deployments (along with numerous separations) in the first 6 years of her life. She loves and misses her papa very much when he is gone. She has no issues talking about things, and I’m used to answering her questions. But, the first time she opened her book that had her face and her words in it I was astonished with the effect it had.
The conversation that ensued was remarkable. She informed me that she really does get sad when her dad leaves and that it isn’t fair that he has to leave us so much. I agreed with her and asked what she thought he was doing so far away. She said, “He is making it safe for all those kids over in Afghanistan and getting smarter at schools.”
Then she asked, “Do Mommies go away too?” I informed her that some do. She then asked, “What happens to the kids that have both their Mom and Dad gone?” I talked to her about other family members that help take care of those kids. She then asked, “Will those kids be able to get this book too?” I said, “I hope so.”
Every time she picks up her book we have a different conversation about what is going on in her beautiful head. She has been talking to me about her feelings and her worries. I expected this from her, but I did not expect it from my four-year-old son.
He has really surprised me. He is the one that usually acts out after his papa leaves. He gets in trouble a bit more and is more physical during separations. He never expressed what he was feeling or thought about the separations until I handed him that book with his face in it. He has been telling me that he misses his papa and has said that it makes him sad when he is gone. This has made it possible for me to talk to him about it and for us both to be able to get a better understanding of the situation.
For me this makes it worth it even if not one book sells because that is not what it is about. It is about helping those who don’t have the words to explain themselves without a little help.
So thank you Melissa for dragging me into another adventure that has made a world of difference for my kids.
I hope that it has the opportunity to do the same for all of yours.
