Empty Burdens

About the Book

Empty Burdens is a surreal and poetic journey through the five stages of grief, told through the eyes of a soul searching for peace in a world built from sorrow. Desperate to reach the House of Coping and drink from the elusive Elixir of Closure, the narrator is instead swept into a theatrical maze of emotional detours—a performance staged by the Empty Burdens themselves. From the Empty Burdens Plaza, “Happily Never After” Bar to the shadowy corners of the Bargaining Basement, and “Bye Bye Butterfly” Fountain. Each chapter reveals a new facet of grief—both haunting and strangely beautiful. The story blurs the lines between reality and metaphor, offering readers a mirror to their own losses and the quiet strength it takes to carry them. By the end, the narrator comes to understand that grief doesn’t vanish—it becomes part of the landscape of memory. Letting go isn’t about forgetting; it’s about accepting the echo and choosing to move forward anyway.

About the Author

I grew up in a small town in Arkansas, where stories were often passed down around kitchen tables and front porch swings. My love for writing was nurtured by my mother, whose own passion for words left a lasting imprint on my heart. Her storytelling didn’t just teach me how to write—it taught me how to feel, deeply and unapologetically. After the loss of my daughter, Delilah, writing became more than a creative outlet—it became a lifeline. Through grief, I found language. Through pain, I found purpose. My first book, Shoes to Fill, is born from those spaces between memory and healing. It is a tribute to love, loss, and the enduring power of words to carry us home.