See you in the clouds, Dad

a story for children about love and loss

Written by Morgan Champion-Dickinson Illustrated by Abi Louise Woods

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Title: “See you in the Clouds, Dad” Written by: Morgan Champion-Dickinson Illustrations by: Abi Louise Woods Published by: Learning Engineered Publishing, Tallahassee, Florida www.LearningEngineeredPublishing.com Library of Congress Control Number: 2024947913 ISBN (Print): 978-1-965741-03-0 ISBN (Kindle Edition): 978-1-965741-04-7 First Edition: 2024 Printed & Created in: United States of America Text and Illustration Copyright © 2024 Learning Engineered Publishing is a division of Learning Engineered LLC and a subsidiary of Carpe Diem Unlimited Holdings, Inc.

For Christian, Charity, and Patience

For Caregivers If you are reading this book to a child, please review these suggestions prior to sharing the story of Charlie and his experience with grief.

Grief is experienced differently by each child.

Keep in mind that children may respond uniquely during each grieving period.

Their developmental stage and personal circumstances can affect how they react. Be sensitive and respectful to their emotions, offering a listening ear and a source of comfort.

This book is not a substitute for professional support.

As a counselor, I have worked with many children and families, providing coping tools throughout my career. While tools are essential in achieving counseling goals, they cannot replace professional guidance from a licensed counselor. I encourage caregivers to seek help for themselves and the children they care for by accessing grief support groups, group or individual counseling through a licensed provider, and religious support if available.

Find a way to connect with your child(ren) in a meaningful way, similar to how Charlie connected with his mom.

Losing a parent during childhood is a life-altering event that changes a child’s trajectory. The loss impacts their mental, physical, and emotional well-being.

As a caregiver, it’s crucial to provide opportunities for the child to process their grief, maintain connections, and develop coping skills. This book offers one way to stay connected to a lost loved one. Consider other ways your child(ren) may want to stay connected, but also recognize that sometimes it may be too painful. When in doubt, seek professional guidance to support your child(ren).

My thoughts are with your family as you navigate life without your loved one.

Take time to grieve. Life is precious, and loss is real. Hold on to hope.

Grief Resources Consider visiting the websites below to further explore ways to help your child with grief.

The Dougy Center: the National Grief Center for Children and Families www.dougy.org The Dougy Center offers developmentally appropriate activities to support children and families navigating the grief process. Both local and national resources are available for further exploration.

Children's Bereavement Center https://childbereavement.org/ The Children’s Bereavement Center provides access to local support groups and offers informative articles on topics like secondary loss and age-appropriate support for children and families.

The National Alliance for Children's Grief https://nacg.org/

The National Alliance for Children’s Grief offers a comprehensive resource library to support children of all ages, along with educational opportunities for caregivers.

Charlie and his dad are best friends. They love to play soccer and fly their model airplanes!

Charlie loves when his dad swings him up in the air.

Dad loves to show Charlie how to fix things and always knows what to say when Charlie gets hurt.

One of Charlie's favorite things to do with his dad is lay down on his back in the soft grass and stare at the clouds.

Some days they would see the coolest things!

One day, Charlie and his dad were staring at the clouds together and Dad told Charlie that he is very sick. Charlie was scared and didn't know what to say.

Dad gave Charlie a hug and told him that he understood being scared and that he was a little scared, too. He told him that even if Dad wasn't here every day that he will always love Charlie and he could find him in the clouds. Charlie didn't want his dad to be sick. He had so many questions.

Charlie and Dad went to the park as often as they could when Dad was feeling well enough. Dad couldn't do as much as he used to and one day he was too tired to fly the model airplanes. Dad and Charlie decided to just stare at the clouds together to see what they could find.

Dad told Charlie that he would have to go away soon but any time Charlie missed him, he could look up at the sky and see Dad in the clouds.

One morning a few weeks later, Charlie's mom woke him up and told him that dad passed away and that meant they wouldn't see Dad for a while.

Charlie was very sad and started to cry.

Mom held Charlie tight and she cried, too.

Charlie and mom were very sad together and missed dad. Mom asked Charlie if he wanted to go to the park where he and dad would always fly his model airplanes. Charlie thought it might be nice to take the airplanes out again.

Mom wasn't as good as Dad at flying the airplanes, but Charlie decided he could teach her. After they flew them a few times, Charlie told mom about the clouds.

They laid on their backs together in the soft grass and looked to see what they could find.

Charlie and Mom spotted something at the very same time.

Two huge, fluffy clouds came together and formed a big heart. Charlie remembered Dad saying, "See you in the clouds," and knew that heart was meant for him.

"See you in the clouds, Dad," Charlie said softly.

His mom squeezed his hand.

Things were very different now. Charlie missed his dad every day and wished he could come back. Mom did her best to learn how to fly the model airplanes and she was getting a little better, Charlie thought.

Any time Mom and Charlie missed Dad, they would pack up their model airplanes and head to the park to see Dad in the clouds. It was the best way to feel close to Dad and somehow, Dad always found a way to meet Charlie in the clouds.

Author Bio Morgan Champion has dedicated her life to working with children of all ages, helping them navigate various challenges, including grief. As a counselor, she has seen many children and families struggle with loss and the lack of resources available to guide them. Leveraging her expertise in child development, Morgan wrote See you in the Clouds, Dad to provide a meaningful way to connect with your child during this difficult time.

See you in the Clouds, Dad is a book written for children and families navigating the challenges of grief. Whether the loss is sudden or expected, it can shape our lives, especially during childhood. As caregivers, it’s important to give children the space they need to process their grief while also offering ways for them to feel connected to the loved one they’ve lost. Caregivers are encouraged to read the guide at the beginning of the book and seek professional support during this difficult time.