A Book on Grief Brings Smiles to Hospice, Temple

Sissy Taran gives back to two organizations that helped her through one of her darkest moments.

By | Posted on 02.11.2008

  • E-mail
  • Print this page Print
  • Comments (1)
  • Share

The sun shined on Hospice of Santa Barbara and Congregation B’nai B’rith on Sunday afternoon at a special event honoring the publication of Sissy Taran’s new book, The Sun Will Shine Again: Life Lessons from a Year of Grieving, with all proceeds going to support the two organizations.

“This is the first time in history of Hospice of Santa Barbara that we’ve ever sponsored a book,” said executive director Gail Rink, who interviewed Taran and Rabbi Steve Cohen about their experiences working together. Taran and Cohen wrote the book — which documents Taran’s first year of grieving the death of her husband, Bernie — through a series of conversations. They met once a week for seven months, primarily at the Breakwater Restaurant, to share the journey Sissy took.

Cohen said he viewed the project as a unique opportunity to learn more about the grief process. He was with the Taran family when they learned of Bernie’s cancer diagnosis, and with them shortly afterward when he passed away.

“It was a wonderful but very short-lived period of intimacy,” he said, and he welcomed the opportunity to extend it through collaboration on the book project.

Cohen initially decided to become a rabbi because it was important to him to be close to people in key moments of their lives, and he saw this project as a rare opportunity for that type of closeness.

One of the most important lessons he learned was that there is not a linear progression from devastation to happiness, Cohen said.

“We walk it all differently, but it’s our individual walk," Taran said. "So this, somehow, and I don’t know why, this book was burning within me. Somehow. Because I’ve never written and if I had to sit down at a computer I still wouldn’t have written a book.”

Taran taped all of her sessions with Cohen and pieced together the book from the transcripts, with the help of editor Laurie Deans Medjuck.

“We ended up throwing out about 75 percent of it,” Taran said.

Even though she was, and still is, grieving, Taran said she doesn’t feel sorry for herself.

“How can you have pity for yourself when you have someone who’s there for you with so much love,” she said of her collaboration with Cohen.

“I don’t know how I or Sissy or any of us would have faced this journey alone,” said Rep. Lois Capps, D-Santa Barbara, who was widowed in 1997. “You’ve created a beautiful thing out of most deep and personal pain. What a lesson and what a gift!”

"Through writing this book I found something within me that wanted to help myself and other people," Taran said. “Today’s benefit is my way of giving back to two organizations close to my heart.”

Comments

Noozhawk's comments are moderated, but by posting here you accept your responsibility to follow our rules.

  1. No abusive, defamatory or libelous attacks. In plain English: No personal attacks.
  2. No vulgar or discriminatory language.
  3. If you do not follow these rules, don't be surprised if your comment is removed.
  4. Please use the Report Abuse button on offensive comments.
  5. Share what you know, ask about what you don't. Give us your eyewitness accounts, observations, background and history. Tell us what else you want to know about the story.
  6. Stay on the topic, PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK, and forgive people their spelling errors.

Noozhawk's intent is not to limit the discussion of our stories but to elevate it. Thank you for your respectful participation. Click here for our complete Terms of Use.

Comments are moderated, and will not appear until they've been approved.

You must be a registered user to comment. Create a user account

Log in




Auto-login on future visits

Forgot your password?

» on 08.24.08 @ 06:26 PM

What a wonderful tribute to Sissy who has shared her journey following Bernie’s death.  It’s a book that should help all those who will have to follow in Sissy’s footsteps.


More Local News »

Road to Recovery Continues for Channel Islands National Park

Park superintendent says commitment to resource restoration remains focus for archipelago

Free-Flying Brown Pelicans a Recovery Success Story

After 40 years on the Endangered Species List, the seabirds were recently delisted as their numbers reached historic levels

Ride, Wine and Dine with Vino Vaqueros

Experience the richness of the Santa Ynez Valley on horseback, followed by wine tasting and a meal

Nite Moves Still On the Go After 21 Years of Waterfront Fun

Santa Barbara's original run- and ocean-swim event lures a 'mini-community' of loyal participants

Santa Barbara Surf Club Rides a Storied History

Hollister Ranch roots run true and deep, even as club's territory and reputation expand

Weather: Fair 72.0º


© Malamute Ventures LLC 2007-2010 | ISSN No. 1947-6086

Web Design & Development by PixelFive