A Patch of Comfort

Marilyn Sullivan is a Baby Boomer who wore seven slips under her Poodle Skirt!  The goal, for those who don’t know, was to have the skirt stick out as far as humanly possible.

She was raised in a farming community in middle Nebraska where her father served as pastor in town and was often given eggs and a side of beef as part of his salary.  Her mother was an English teacher and instilled in Marilyn the importance of grammar and good writing.  Her older brother was a pain-in-the-neck, but is now one of her best friends.

Marilyn married her husband during college, between semesters when they were both “young and stupid”, but thankfully they have celebrated a Golden Anniversary, so I guess it worked out.

Her Master’s Degree from Purdue University was in Architectural Psychology and Design.  Her interest in psychology (while spending a career as an architectural designer) may have been part of the catalyst in writing A Patch of Comfort.

She experienced the impact of grief in psychological and emotional terms after the death of her youngest daughter.  But she recognized the creative process of grief as well.  “Grief brings forth a world that did not previously exist.”  Processing grief is a creative way of proceeding through time – and healing.

Her oldest daughter is married and has a wonderful son.  Marilyn, her husband and daughter and many many others continue to grieve the death of Erin in their individual and creative ways on this journey we call life.