A Mother's Walk Through the Grief of Suicide to Hope and Healing

Listen to the interview with the author here

About the author: Laura Formentini is an author, nonprofit photographer, and philanthropist. While working as an advocate to encourage people to travel, see more of the world, and catalyze positive global change, she became a child welfare activist and a supporter for the prevention of cruelty to animals. Her philanthropic work spans the globe, touching lives in Puerto Rico, Kenya, Malawi, Italy, and numerous countries in Asia.

Over the years, Laura has sponsored more than forty children through Plan International, an organization that advocates for children’s rights and equality for girls. She is currently partnering with them to write a book revealing untold stories about the positive impacts of child sponsorship.

Laura is also writing "Coming Home," a memoir about her time in Africa, and finding creative ways to travel safely as she continues to spread the message that practicing "Love in Action" not only brings healing to our personal lives, but holds the key to healing the world. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Archaeology and Art History from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, and has worked as an archaeologist in numerous European countries.

About the book: TWENTYONE OLIVE TREES is the author's journey of transformation portrayed as a collection of letters, poetry, and fables she wrote to her son Blaise after his death. Before each of the letters, 21 fable narratives unfold, further illuminating this intimate look at coping with loss and acceptance that intrigues, inspires, and gives hope to readers looking for answers about life and death and those who long to transform their grief into something beautiful.