So yesterday was the official release date of my first book.  A professional goal of mine accomplished and a personal experience coming full circle. (If you are just learning about me, my mother passed away when I was 12 years old. 12 years later I founded Kate's Club, a non-profit organization in Atlanta that empowers children and teens facing life after the death of a parent or sibling.)  The book, title "A Healing Place: Help your child find hope and healing after the loss of a loved one" is a real-world guide to support and inspire parents and caregivers of grieving children.  I feel honored to be given the chance to share my own story of loss and my work with other grieving families and serve as a voice for the millions of grieving children across our country.  If you know someone who could benefit from this book, I suggest giving it to them this Holiday season.  Its a great gift for a family who may be having a difficult time in coping with the loss of someone they love.

But enough about that...I find it fascinating that the day my book comes out, I actually find inspiration in another book now available in bookstores.

It's the story of Elena Desserich, a six-year-old who died of cancer, but found a way to continue to show her love for her family after she passed. For the nine months that Elena was battling cancer, she took the initiative to write notes to her family and leave them in hidden places around the house.  Grab a tissue, you may need them for this one.  And now her family is giving the world the notes to read in a book in an effort to support cancer research.  What a gift!

Here is her full story:

Elena Desserich was diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer when she was just five years old.

During her nine-month struggle with the illness, Elena, from Wyoming, hid hundreds of notes between the pages of books, in cupboards, drawers, bags, and clothes stashed away for the winter.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1225419/Notes-left-Six-year-old-cancer-victim-Elena-Desserichs-heartbreaking-messages-love-family.html#ixzz0WNXMiDR6

Elf Island is the new online video gaming for kids that helps teach positive social and environmental values.   After spending my Saturday afternoon playing it, I have to say that I am now hooked on this empowering game.  The concept of game is that you are an elf and you set out on these missions to do good things and attempt to move up the levels after each successful good deed. 

One example is the “undersea level” where you are under water and have to destroy all of the garbage and pollution that is hurting our oceans.  Not only does this game teach young people about the benefits of social action, but it is fun as well.  Games like this are important for young children because as more and more kids spend time on their computers, it is important for them to be influenced positively. 

Fore more information please visit: http://www.elfisland.com/index.php

(I'm Babette, Kate's sidekick. Every once in a while I get to share my voice and my stories of living a charitable life.  I hope you enjoy!  For more about me, check this out...Five Questions with Babette.)