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1 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW SOU faculty contract negotiations at decision point ... Body found in Bear Creek identified as missing Phoenix man ... Screen time all the time ... SOU faculty contract negotiations at decision point ... Body found in Bear Creek identified as missing Phoenix man ... Screen time all the time ... QUILLS & QUEUES Quills & Queues: Grief, grace and inspiration Comment By Angela Decker For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Angela Decker For the Tidings Posted Dec. 3, 2015 at 7:53 PM By Angela Decker For the Tidings Posted Dec. 3, 2015 at 7:53 PM » Social News It’s hard even to think of the death of a newborn, let alone live through such loss and share it with others. Yet, Ashland author Lucinda Weatherby does just that in her memoir, “Five Hours: How My Son’s Brief Life Changed Everything,” which shares the painful and ultimately inspiring story of her son Theo’s short life and lasting legacy. Weatherby will share her story at 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, at the Ashland Public Library. In clear and elegant language, she confronts every parent’s worst fear, relating her experience of Theo’s birth, his death hours later, and the inspiring aftermath of an event most people think they wouldn’t be able to survive. “When it happened, it was the saddest, wildest, most heartbreaking and enriching experience,” said Weatherby. “I knew I had to share the story.” Weatherby’s son Theo was born with trisomy 13, a rare chromosomal disorder with fatal birth defects. Instead of taking extraordinary steps to prolong what would have been a short and painful life, Lucinda and her husband made the decision to let Theo go peacefully, saying goodbye with family and friends present, and holding him close even after he died. “It was incredible how supported we were, how beautifully the children handled it.” Weatherby added that children should be included more in the grieving process. “We often try to shield them, but they are designed to handle things. They are natural grievers, unafraid and understanding,” she said. “I hope people who read the book come away with the understanding that we can bear our burdens, that we shouldn’t fear loss or hide our grief,” she said. “There is such healing power in talking about loss, and grace to bear us through it.” Weatherby has kept a journal since her teenage years. “I had all the materials for the book already because I wrote and wrote throughout my pregnancy,” she said. “Of course, I didn’t know how it would end, but looking back there is so much foreshadowing.” In the time after her son’s death, Weatherby said she read a lot of memoirs. “I read so many true stories of lives and grief,” she said. Those memoirs helped inspire her to share her story, both the tragedy of it and the ultimate understanding that Theo’s life, regardless of its length, was a gift to her and her family. “There’s nothing more powerful than the truth, and I try to capture the simple, honest truth in the book.” So far, says Weatherby, the book has been well received by readers. “We all have our stories, and each story can offer us something,” she said. “I learned so much from Theo’s death and it has been deeply moving for me to speak with people about the book, and hear how they relate to it. Men, women, regardless of whether they have children, have found something to connect with.” Weatherby, who works as a grief counselor, says one thing she has become passionate about is that people should talk about their loss. “I want people to know it is OK to talk about their grief. Say the name of the one you love, celebrate his or her life no matter how long or short it is.” The Ashland Public Library is at 410 Siskiyou Blvd. For more information, call 541-774-6980. For information about the book, visit www. FiveHoursBook.com . Reach Ashland freelance writer Angela Decker at [email protected]. By Angela Decker For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Angela Decker For the Tidings Posted Dec. 3, 2015 at 7:53 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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