LOSING LIZZY
A Story of Grief
By Lehman Riley
As adults, we know about the life cycles of human existence. In the typical scheme of things, we’re born, we are children, then teenagers, become adults, then seniors, and at some point we die. But what happens when that progression is interrupted, and a child dies before their parents? What about the difference between a natural death from old age and the sudden death of a youth? The grieving process is poignantly described in Lehman Riley’s book Losing Lizzy: A Story of Grief.
Our story begins with our main character Nikki awakened from a sound sleep by a constantly ringing telephone. Sadly, the call is from the police with the news that her sister Lizzy has passed away, and a trip by the family to the police station confirms it.
Friends and family, upon hearing the news, come to offer support. Nikki’s friends, the Little Wanderers, can’t believe Lizzy is gone. Her parents are hurting deeply; her mother feels empty, and her father is dealing with survivor guilt. Tears, the remembrance of Lizzy’s last texts and words, and how she wanted to help people are fresh in their minds. In her words to Nikki, and to the Little Wanderers, Papa Lemon and Mama Sarah remind us that children process and express grief differently from adults, and there’s nothing wrong with it.
Through Dr. Agnew, a therapist recommended by Papa Lemon, Nikki and her family begin to process the trauma of Lizzy’s death, and the story breaks down the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.
At Lizzy’s memorial service, Nikki surprises everyone by getting up to speak about her sister. Her words incorporate her feelings for each stage of the grieving process, knowing that it is a process, and finding comfort and faith.
Based on the real-life death of his daughter Tianna (Lizzy) at the age of 23, Riley’s story is something that resonates with anyone who has lost a loved one. Losing a child is a parent’s worst nightmare, and I acknowledge him for writing a book on grief that is relatable for children. I had the honor of meeting the author at the Black Children’s Book Fair in St. Paul recently, and I was reminded that though the loss never fully goes away, there is acceptance and the importance of keeping her memory alive. Out of Riley’s pain and loss came a story that will help and encourage others facing this trauma to seek support, utilize therapy, and pray for God’s grace and comfort. In his words, “Her journey shows readers that even when the tears won’t stop flowing and it feels like happiness will never return, one day they will smile and laugh again.”
Losing Lizzy is a special edition of Riley’s The Adventures of Papa Lemon’s Little Wanderers series, and it is available through Riley’s website, www.papalemonedu.com.
Thank you, Lehman, for sharing your story, its powerful message, the legacy of your grandparents Papa Lemon and Mama Sarah, and the memory of Lizzy.
