By Danielle Kutchel
After experiencing the heartbreaking loss of her daughter, Michelle Elphinstone hopes to help others going through the same grief she felt.
Michelle’s daughter Erin was tragically killed in an accident in May 2017 when her car went down a steep embankment along Belgrave-Gembrook Road in Cockatoo, just minutes from her home.
The event devastated the close-knit family.
Michelle said she tried counselling, but felt worse when she came out.
She began to write down how she felt, including the good and the bad, never dreaming that her thoughts would eventually turn into a book.
Now, she has self-published her words in ‘Finding Erin…a true story of loss and love’, avaialble in both Australia and America.
The book is aimed at other families going through a similar state of loss.
“I want to say to them, ‘you’re not alone’,” Michelle said.
Writing down her family’s story was a cathartic process, Michelle said, allowing her to get the heartache out of her system.
“Everything that was hurting inside, now I can fill with things I enjoy,” she explained.
As part of their healing process, the family hopes to create a retreat in Erin’s memory – a place of peace and enjoyment.
They plan to use proceeds from the sale of the book to build the retreat.
Michelle has also created a support group with both a physical and online presence for families suffering with the loss of a child.
It’s fittingly named ERIN – Emotional Response in Need.
“All these dreams are gone, so we have to make new ones,” Michelle said of the group and the planned retreat.
“It’s a tough journey, but we have a supportive family.
“They key is to have support and love.”
Finding Erin is availabel from the Community House in Emerald, Emerald Village Newsagency, Elements in Gembrook and The Book Barn in Belgrave.
