One of Jessica Lindsey's latest books shares what was once a very private healing journey. (submitted photo/Jessica Lindsey)

By Nigel Maxwell

Reading

‘It’s not time to be silent anymore’: Prince Albert author hopes new book helps struggling families

Jan 18, 2024 | 5:00 AM

Noting the increase in opioid overdose deaths in the country, Prince Albert’s Jessica Lindsey says she hopes she can in some way help provide comfort to families feeling alone in their suffering.

A Way in the Wilderness: 100 Meditations of a Woman’s Spiritual Trial is one of Lindsey’s latest published books and comes near 11 years after Lindsey’s mother died from a drug overdose. The book chronicles the journal entries Lindsey wrote during her personal healing path.

“On the other side of that process I realized that it didn’t make sense to me to go through that entire journey of suffering for nothing,” she said.

Reflecting back on her own experience, Lindsey, who found support in the community and at her church, noted there was a time when she felt very alone and acknowledged there are many other families who feel the same way.

“I would say we suffer silently in most the part because it is difficult to have the conversation in public. You don’t go out in public and when someone says, ‘how are you?’ [you reply] ‘well my son is on heroin,'” she explained.

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(submitted photo/Jessica Lindsey)

Following her mother’s death, and the impact on her own relationships, Lindsey said she continues to suffer from the experiences she endured as a teenager.

“Not just her death but to witness someone you love slowly dwindle away into their addiction and all you can do is watch helplessly,” she explained.

Noting her desire that the women who read her book can find something useful in the pages, Lindsey also said she is open to speaking in churches or other forums to share more of the healing work God has done in her life.

“It’s not time to be silent anymore. It’s time for people and families to put the taboo away and start having more discussions and more support for each other,” she said.

Lindsey’s other book, The Adventures of Flip and Paul, was also released as a paperback and eBook just as 2023 drew to a close.

(submitted photo/Jessica Lindsey)

The Adventures of Flip and Paul: the Treasure of Alman Duzan is a young adult novel is based on a story she told her twin sons as they were growing up.

“It’s a fun adventure story of 10-year-old twin boys who are on a mystery quest in the country,” said Lindsey, whose real-life twin sons, Peter and Sam Kiunga, graduated last year from Ecole St. Mary High School.

Lindsey admits she tailored the twin characters after her sons and scenes from the book are based on Lindsey’s hometown of Leader, Sask.

All of Lindsey’s books are available through Amazon.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell