Jessica Shannon on The Sum of Grief

Jessica Shannon, author of The Sum of Grief, speaks with Inflection.

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A theme in the book that connects to a broader cultural moment

A theme in this book is using math as a coping tool for grief. It’s simple addition and subtraction to help guide grief and gain a little control when our world seems unrecognizable. People are often seeking unique ways to cope with difficult situations, and grief math has brought a lot of people comfort while making them make sense of their loss.

A question the book raises that doesn’t have an easy answer

There is no easy answer to the question of what our lives would look like if a special person in our lives hadn’t died. We often wonder what would happen if our parent, sibling, or child lived, because it’s so clear that our lives are never the same after their death. We can speculate and dream, but there is no way to be sure.

Something about the writing process that shaped the final work

My riding holiday in Ireland shaped the book and gave me hope for a year that was bringing me fear, anxiety, and uncertainty. Completing a dream trip for my family matriarchs at a year that my grief math was coming to an end of sorts, Ireland healed me and gave me the strength to finish the book.

A connection between this book and another work, movement, or conversation

This book connects other books and movements, including on social media and from grief professionals, that are creating space for motherless daughters to connect with other women, feel seen and heard, and both learn and be validated by those with similar experiences. Books that are also intended for motherless daughters are Motherless Daughters: The Legacy of Loss by Hope Edelman, Now That She’s Gone: A Daughter’s Reflections on Loss, Love, and A Mother’s Legacy – A Grief and Healing Book for Women by Chelsea Ohlemiller, The Dead Moms Club: A Memoir About Death, Grief, and Surviving the Mother of All Losses by Kate Spencer, So Sorry for Your Loss: How I Learned to Live with Grief and Other Grave Concerns by Dina Gachman, and Crying in H Mart: A Memoir by Michelle Zauner.

The one thing you hope every interviewer asks you about

I hope interviewers feel comfortable to ask about my mom’s life and death, and I also expect questions about grief education from my experience as a chaplain and grief professional.