Cortlandt Mom Pens Message of Moving Forward after Daughter’s Death
Cait Chivonne Polhill was a healthy, vibrant woman with a successful job at a law firm, living in a nice apartment overlooking the Hudson River in New York City when her life was suddenly taken from her in October 2011 at the age of 28.
Cait was the youngest of Cortlandt resident Deb Carlin Polhill’s two daughters, and Deb has chosen to deal with her grief by reaching out to others who have lost a loved one with an alternative message of healing and coping with such a devastating life-changing event.
“My journey and what I have learned along the way helped me through the grieving and healing processes, and I am hoping the book will help others dealing with the transition of a loved one, especially during the holidays which can be so difficult,” Polhill said.
“I want to offer grieving parents an alternative to the notion of ‘moving on’ without their child, especially during the holidays. Instead, I chose, and offer, a different path of ‘moving forward with’ my daughter. My daughter was with us for many Thanksgivings and Christmases. We want her to be part of future celebrations,” she added. “For 28 years we were graced with her presence. Some people are never given the gift we were given.”
The paperback of Polhill’s first book, “Love—Honor—Celebrate: A Mother’s Journey of Transition,” was launched in June , but eBooks were just made available last month at Amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.
“I had been compiling these writings for several months and a friend had read some of them and suggested I publish a book and share them,” Polhill explained about how the book was created. “It was very cathartic for me. This experience has shown me there is more pain out there than anyone would imagine. I try to look for the love in the sorrow.”
Polhill said the human spirit, coupled with an open heart, can enable someone to continue living and loving.
“I do believe every day is a gift,” she said. “We love mightily those we have in our life and honor those who have passed. I can and will live, not just exist. I can move forward with her (Cait) and celebrate the life we had and the connection we share.”
The book includes poetry and songs written by Polhill that were inspired by Cait. The book and companion CD are available at www.visionvibes.com or by calling toll-free 1-888-739-8513.
Rick has more than 40 years’ experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, running the gamut from politics and crime to sports and human interest. He has been an editor at Examiner Media since 2012. Read more from Rick’s editor-author bio here. Read Rick’s work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/pezzullo_rick-writer/
