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A Child’s Journey Through Grief series follows Jazmine, a 9-year-old girl who is processing her grief over the death of her father. The series comes from Jazmine’s point of view. The reader will follow her emotions as well as her process. Jazmine’s learns how to celebrate her father’s life while learning positive ways to cope as she navigates through her life. In the first book, But i don’t want to say GOODBYE!, Jazmine discusses her feelings and learns how to celebrate her father’s life with the help of her mother. Jazmine and her mother have conversations about their feelings and what a funeral is. In the second book, It’s ok to be Happy!, Jazmine learns different ways to cope with her grief, (i.e. support group, equine-assisted therapy, creating a picture book, etc.). In the third book, Let’s Celebrate! (Coming in Fall 2023), Jazmine continues her journey as she is establishing a new “norm” without her father (i.e. recital and birthday party). She continues to receive validation and comfort from her mother and her aunt while trying to move forward.

These books were created to help families experiencing grief to have the tough conversation about death and provide examples of ways to cope through a loving story about grief and loss.  

In the first book, But i don’t want to say GOODBYE!, we follow Jazmine as she expresses her feelings about the death of her father and learns a creative way to celebrate her father’s life, using a reef ball. 

What is a reef ball?

Reef balls are the designed materials that Eternal Reefs uses for memorialization. Collectively, the Reef Ball family of companies is known as the foremost experienced reef builders in the world and our award-winning work is the gold standard for designed artificial reefs.

Reef Innovations works with the Reef Ball Foundation worldwide, establishing new habitats for fish and other sea life. The entire Reef Ball family of companies is committed to preserving, protecting and enhancing the marine environment for future generations.

Reef balls are the only designed reef materials that from the beginning were designed to replicate the natural substrata that Mother Nature uses for her reef development. Used in more than 70 countries, on more than 5,000 projects for a wide variety of purposes, there are more than 750,000 reef balls in the oceans around the world.

Brilliantly designed, the round, hollow and vented form leaves little space for storm energy to build up and move reef balls. With more than 80 percent of the weight of the reef ball in the lower quarter of the reef, they are extremely stable in the marine environment. We will never say that Mother Nature can’t do something, but if reef balls are moved there is going to be much more serious damage on shore.

A specialized concrete formula brings the pH content of the reef ball close to neutral. With the neutral pH content and a textured outer surface, the reef ball is the perfect medium to allow the micro-organisms (those little buds of life floating in the currents looking for a home) a place to land, burrow and mature, and start to propagate before predators can feed on them.

Fish will migrate onto the reef balls as soon as they are placed. Depending on water conditions, we see growth on these reefs in as little as a few weeks. As these reef balls mature, they become permanent additions to the marine environment, continuing to develop and support marine life forever.

It’s not easy to express one’s feelings when they are dealing with grief and loss, especially children. When it comes to grief and loss, there is no time limit. Children can grieve just as deeply as adults;  however, it can be a challenge for them to express their feelings. They can also change moods quickly (i.e. from crying in one moment and playing the next). It does not mean they finished grieving. It is important to explain to children that feeling sad, angry, anxious, etc. is normal. To help children process their grief, it is important for them to have outlets. This can include telling stories, reading books, drawing pictures, creating a scrap/photo book, therapeutic horseback riding, children support groups, etc. It is also important for caretakers to take care of themselves (i.e. therapist/counselor, self-care, reading books, grief support groups, therapeutic horseback riding, etc.). Spending time together as a family can help during the grieving process. There are local and national grief organizations and churches to help children and adults through their grief.

National Alliance for Children’s Grief: www.nacg.org 

Children’s Grief Awareness Day: www.childrensgriefawarenessday.org 

Heal Grief (for adults) www.healgrief.org 

Therapeutic riding is an equine-assisted activity for the purpose of contributing positively to the cognitive, physical, emotional and social well-being of individuals with special needs. Therapeutic riding provides benefits in the areas of health, education, sport and recreation & leisure. Throughout the world, there are thousands of individuals with special needs who experience the rewarding benefits of horseback riding. A disability does not have to limit a person from riding horses. In fact, experiencing the motion of a horse can be very therapeutic. Because horseback riding rhythmically moves the rider’s body in a manner like a human gait, riders with physical disabilities often show improvement in flexibility, balance and muscle strength. In addition to the therapeutic benefits, horseback riding also provides recreational opportunities for individuals with disabilities to enjoy the outdoors.​

Therapeutic riding is an equine-assisted activity for the purpose of contributing positively to the cognitive, physical, emotional and social well-being of individuals with special needs. Therapeutic riding provides benefits in the areas of health, education, sport and recreation & leisure. Throughout the world, there are thousands of individuals with special needs who experience the rewarding benefits of horseback riding. A disability does not have to limit a person from riding horses. In fact, experiencing the motion of a horse can be very therapeutic. Because horseback riding rhythmically moves the rider’s body in a manner like a human gait, riders with physical disabilities often show improvement in flexibility, balance and muscle strength. In addition to the therapeutic benefits, horseback riding also provides recreational opportunities for individuals with disabilities to enjoy the outdoors.​