Jul 20, 2008 6:33 pm US/Central
Fallen Officer's Widow Turns Grief Blog Into Book
(WCCO)
The widow of a fallen police officer is finding comfort in her own, special way by expressing her experience through writing.
Jennifer's husband, Shawn Silvera, was killed nearly three years ago on Interstate 35W. He was putting out stop-sticks, trying to stop a car police were chasing when the driver slammed right into him.
Shawn was a loving father and a Lino Lakes police officer. The police chief called him a gifted cop, who knew best how to deal with people and comfort victims of violent crimes.
Now his widow, Jennifer, is doing something special to help herself and anyone else who has lost a loved one.
She just finished writing a book, titled Believe. The about 200-page book chronicles Jennifer's life since the very day she got the news about her husband's death.
"Yes, it is my purpose," said Jennifer. "I know this is what I'm meant to do."
After the crash, Jennifer hit her darkest days. She felt there was no hope and nothing left to live for.
She was alone, caring for two children, until a friend suggesting she do something: Blog.
Jennifer started writing about her feelings and told the online world about her struggle. There she found support and people encouraged her to write a book.
"I needed somewhere for my energy, my passion and creativity to go, and that's exactly what happened with the book. I could put it somewhere," said Jennifer.
She put her online entries and notes into her book. It's her testament to her belief now that life is good and does go on after a tragedy.
Jennifer feels others experiencing the same depression might be uplifted from reading the book.
"I think Shawn would be very glad about what I'm doing," she said.
The manuscript is done, and this summer the book will be edited with a selling date of January 2009.
These days in the Silvera household, 4-year-old Jordan and 3-year-old Maddy listen to books for their grade level. When they get older, Jennifer plans to read them the book she wrote. Someday, that book will come full-circle back into the Silvera's home.
"I hope someday when they're teenagers that it's something that they can treasure," she said. "And I hope that it passes through the generations."
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