25 | durhamregion.com | This Week | Thursday, December 8, 2022 | OUTSMARTING WINTERNEVER GETS OLD Winter can be a cold, lonely time. It doesn't have to be. With a Winter Stay at Amica Whitby, every day is yours to spend however you wish. Join us for movie night, enjoy a warm drink by the fire, or spend a quiet night in your premium, furnished suite. With our professional, personalized care and premium amenities, you may just warm up to winter after all. And, like breaking the ice with a new friend, that never gets old. C A L L K ATA R I NA OR LY N N AT 905-665-6200 2 0 0 K E N N E T H H O B B S AV E N U E A M I C A . C A / W H I T B Y Limited Winter Stay suites now available. To help children who are dealing with the death of a sibling, author Jennifer Carter -- whose sister, Julie, died at 13 years old -- is releasing a new picture book, "My Sister, Marie." "This book focuses on the difficult journey that a young person goes through, along with their family, after the loss of a sibling with a lifelong illness. Although this book touches on some very difficult topics, it is meant to provide hope for families going through the unthinkable, as well as offer tips on how to cope with this kind of loss," Carter said via email. Julie had a neurological condition and she bravely fought its adverse effects for most of her 13 years, explained Carter. The family lived in Pickering and the community was very supportive of the family as Julie faced physical adversities with spunk and a very adultlike sense of humour. "She was exceptionally positive and refused to ever let anyone feel sorry for her predicament -- she just wanted to be a normal kid, and our family did everything that we could to ensure she was just that," Carter said. Julie died in 2000. The grieving family found support at the Bereaved Families of Ontario -- Durham Region. They attended a holiday service, the Angel Tree of Lights, where the community comes together to honour and remember loved ones. Jennifer and her mother, Jane Carter, attended support groups for the loss of a sibling and the loss of a child. "After losing Julie, our family was a bit lost and didn't know where to begin with the healing process," said Carter. From there, the family decided to support the organization by getting involved as volunteers. They have helped at events, speaking at different engagements, and facilitating support groups. Now, Jane Carter is executive director of the Bereaved Families of Ontario -- Durham Region and Jen- nifer Carter, who has since moved out of Durham, is still supporting the local organization with the sales of her new picture book. "My Sister, Marie" was written not to help children "get over" the loss of their sibling, but to support them as they learn to live with their grief and find joy in life going forward. Writing the book was also a way for Carter to remember and heal after the loss of some very important people in her life. "I've always felt that my loved ones who have passed would want just that -- their families to still be happy in some way, even through the sadness," said Carter. The "My Sister, Marie" picture book is available for order via the BFO Durham Region email, bfodurham@bellnet.ca, for a minimum donation of $20. AUTHOR RELEASES PICTURE BOOK ON SIBLING LOSS JENNIFER O'MEARA jomeara@ durhamregion.com BOOKS 'MY SISTER, MARIE' SALES TO SUPPORT BEREAVED FAMILIES OF ONTARIO - DURHAM REGION Jennifer Carter is the author of "My Sister, Marie," a picture book that "focuses on the difficult journey that a young person goes through, along with their family, after the loss of a sibling with a lifelong illness," she says. Jane Carter photo