But just thinking about that as an adult, that's really hard on kids. I mean, death and funerals are not something that we really want to talk about to our children. But it's necessary. Because whenever we are grieving the loss of a loved one or a family member, we are so wrapped up in our own grief, sometimes it's hard to remember that the little kids, five years old, younger, maybe a little bit older, they have no idea what's going on
Debbie Roppolo
@Pecansprings · 0:34
But there's a solution that I feel will tremendously help not only the kiddos, but it will also help adults as well. Where are the kids? Is a children's book that's written. Kids, kids, kids. Shirley Verrier McCoy think she does a wonderful job of explaining the transition from life to death. Shirley, thank you so much for joining us on this. And, and I'd like for you to tell everyone just a little bit about yourself and tell us why
shirley mccoy
@jrhighteacher · 2:37
Hi, Deborah. It is a joy to be with you here today, and it has been such a pleasure working with you. And also Pecan Springs publishing. You asked about myself. Well, I grew up in a small town in Michigan. My father was from France, and he was a glass blower and an artist. And my mom was mostly a stay at home mom. After college, I got married, and Mike and I moved to Florida, where I taught middle school
Swell Team
@Swell · 0:15
Debbie Roppolo
@Pecansprings · 1:28
Surely my mom was able to give me an explanation about the afterlife that was understandable, and it really did help to ease my fears. And like I said earlier on, I know it's tough to talk about the afterlife to children. I really didn't know it was for me whenever my grandmother died, and for a while, my older son Jonathan just couldn't understand. He was about the same age I was whenever I had my experience. He was about five or six
shirley mccoy
@jrhighteacher · 3:12
I think kids are more ready to receive this type of conversation before there is any grief. And that way they can process heaven and the thought of dying and so forth, very objectively. And then when death does touch their family, they already have the resources to deal with it, because death is going to touch all of us. There's not a family around that will not at some point, deal with it. So I say, let's get the kids ready now before sadness touches their life
Debbie Roppolo
@Pecansprings · 3:28
I've got to say, shirley, this book is far from depressing. It's got great scriptures. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful, and for me, it just emphasizes where I'm going whenever I pass away, and that gives me a great sense of inner peace. I will say, I do wish I had this book whenever I was a teenager. Whenever I was 16, my adoptive dad was killed very, very suddenly
shirley mccoy
@jrhighteacher · 5:00
I am so happy your son has read this book. I really wish I could give it away to every single child. If I was a billionaire, I could do that. I need to make friends with Elon Musk or somebody and convince them that this would be a very worthwhile project for them to undertake. Also, you mentioned the illustrations, and just want to give a shout out to the man who did the illustrations for this book. Michael Barowski is the most incredible artist
shirley mccoy
@jrhighteacher · 0:19
You. I think it cut me off. So I'm going to start talking again. For me, there's nothing better than to be transported through a book to another place. So reading about characters I can identify with and picturing the settings in my mind, I just absolutely love it
Debbie Roppolo
@Pecansprings · 0:51
I really appreciate you sharing the story about Michael and how your paths managed to cross. And I'm glad they did because the illustrations are very beautiful. And to me, this just shows that God does listen and answer our prayers, but in his time. Okay, so there's one more question I want to ask you, and I think it's a fun one. What is one thing that no one knows about you that you would like to share with all of our listeners?
shirley mccoy
@jrhighteacher · 2:07
By Shirley, and it should pop right up. I also understand that barnes and nobles and books a million, you can get the books there also. And it has just been an absolute pleasure talking to you, and I hope that you and the listeners have a wonderful evening. Thank you so much for taking the time to listen to me tonight