Sarnia grandmother has teamed up with her seven-year-old grandson to share their experiences as military family members.
Blackburn Media Sales Representative and author Catriona Henderson says she and Silas were inspired to pen a children's book when her son David, Silas' dad, left for Latvia with the Canadian Armed Forces.
"Silas was pretty sad," said Henderson. "All the changes that were going to happen in his life because his dad was gone, and so we started to talk about the things that were the same, and about how we were going to cope with David gone. Whether daddy was home or when daddy's gone, there are some things that are still the same. The garbage still has to be taken to the end of the road and I think when we face changes, it's good to think about what's the same."
The project was a secret from David, who had no idea what his mother and son were up to while he was deployed.
"It was really nice to give him the book when he came back," said Henderson. "There's some parts of the book that make all of us cry just a little bit. It was a great process and a good thing to get Silas, and myself, and the rest of the family through [the] deployment."
Henderson said releasing 'While My Daddy is Deployed' and raising awareness for military children is especially meaningful this month, as April is recognized as the Month of the Military Child.
"It's a time when we can celebrate military kids. They don't have a choice as it's their parents job," she said. "It's a time to celebrate their resilience and to honour them."
The month is represented by the colour teal, incorporating Air Force blue, Army green, and the Navy’s blue and white, symbolizing the unity of all branches of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Henderson said the book is dedicated to David's wife Achsah Belet, and to the many military spouses whose strength keeps families grounded at home.
"Military spouses are amazing, they keep everything glued together while the other spouse is gone," she said.
'While My Daddy is Deployed' is available at the Sarnia Legion Branch 62 on Front Street, where an official launch and book signing is scheduled for April 11, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The soft-cover book is also available on Amazon.
