After her son died, my late Aunt Charlotte always said that the death of a child was the most difficult thing that could happen to a parent. We expect our children to outlive us. When they don’t, the tragic fact of their death throws the logic of our lives and our worlds off balance.
Marcy Heath Robitaille of Warwick shares her ongoing reaction to the death of her daughter in “Wish You a Goode Journey.” In January 2010, Makenzie Goode’s car crashed in the snow as the 17 year old headed to school. She never regained consciousness.
Robitaille subtitles her book, “Living Life with Eyes and Heart Wide Open,” and this work chronicles her journey toward that openness. She is helped along the way by friends, her Christian faith, and little coincidences she calls “Godwinks” that make her feel the presence of her daughter’s lively spirit.
The book begins with the death of Makenzie. It includes both Robitaille’s account of the fatal day and the first-person recollections of several of her daughter’s friends.
The story goes on to what may be its most moving section. Before her death, Makenzie’s parents made the decision to allow their daughter to serve as an organ donor. Her brain was damaged, but the other organs of this athletic young woman were in excellent condition.
In the months and years after the teenager’s death, Robitaille reached out through the organ-donation agency to the recipients of Makenzie’s organs.
She reprints letters from several families, explaining that their renewed health and expressions of gratitude have made her happy with her decision to share her daughter’s organs. She explains that the donation has helped her give meaning to tragedy.
Larry, an ex-Marine who ended up with Mackenzie’s heart, provides his own story for the book. In a distinctive voice, he describes his life and his illness — and discusses the special tie he feels with both Makenzie and her mother.
Robitaille goes on to share tales of bonding with her daughter’s friends as they remember Makenzie, setting up a scholarship in her daughter’s memory and reaching out to other individuals suffering from grief.
Marcy Robitaille is not a polished writer, and the story she tells is uneven in spots. Nevertheless, that story is deeply moving. Robitaille has a loving heart. Her story will touch not only anyone who knew Makenzie but just about any reader.
Marcy Heath Robitaille will sign copies of “Wish You a Goode Journey” on Friday, June 3, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the World Eye Bookshop in Greenfield.
Tinky Weisblat is the author of “The Pudding Hollow Cookbook” and “Pulling Taffy.” Visit her website:
www.TinkyCooks.com