Janice Ballard (Jan) is a super widow who married when she was 16 years old and spent 42 years as the wife of Hank Ballard. During that time she raised three girls, moved with her family throughout the Midwest and found joy in creating a home. When Hank died at age 59, she began the journey of identifying herself as someone other than wife. Today she lives in Huntington, Indiana and enjoys reading, needlework and journaling and decorates the best table in the Midwest! Allison Ballard (Cammie) - For the past 12 years, Allison has worked as an independent contractor writing grant proposals for non-profit organizations. She also writes, stages and directs multi-media performances using music, percussion, theatre, movement and visual arts. Allison has a Master of Arts in Dance/Movement Therapy from Columbia College, Chicago (2003) and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Ball State University (1986). She has 20 years experience working as an artist in residence teaching movement, music and rhythm programs for children, youth, adults and people with special needs at schools and community service organizations in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She is also the founder/Director of Fort Wayne Taiko, a drumming and movement ensemble based on Japanese tradition.
The Longest Journey
Two Women's Parallel Stories of Grief and Healing
by Janice (Jan) Holman Ballard and Allison (Cammie) Ballard
The Longest Journey
Two Women's Parallel Stories of Grief and Healing
by Janice (Jan) Holman Ballard and Allison (Cammie) Ballard
Published Jun 28, 2011
259 Pages
Genre: FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS / Death, Grief, Bereavement
Book Details
The Longest Journey: Two Women’s Stories of Grief and Healing
Written in first person through the voices of three main characters, The Longest Journey explores the process of grief and healing from the perspectives of: • Hank, a man who dies at age 59 from mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer usually caused by exposure to asbestos • Jan, his grieving widow who at age 58 struggles with the loss of her husband of 42 years and the simultaneous illness of her elderly father • Cammie, their 37-year-old daughter, a divorced mother of two who is struggling to raise her family, complete graduate school and cope with the loss of her father when her ex-husband and co-parent suddenly dies The interwoven stories of these three main characters take the reader back and forth in time, revisiting significant moments from their lives as they each explore the universal stages of grief in uniquely personal ways. The Longest Journey is not just about grief; it is also a story of love and growth as two women of different generations struggle to claim their identity. This book shares a message of hope and inspiration for those who are struggling with loss. Grief is not specific to age, gender, culture or geographic location; it is universal. However, processing grief is not. There are as many ways to experience and process grief (or to avoid doing so!) as there are people. Sharing personal recovery stories empowers us all to heal from our own grief experiences and support others.