In Letters from the Last Pope, Phoebe Sisk shares the heartbreaking story of losing her mother to suicide, along with research on factors contributing to America's mental health crisis, particularly for our youth. By introducing readers to post-traumatic growth and epigenetics, Sisk encourages claiming the power of personal transformation to triumph over painful pasts, while leaning into the wisdom of our ancestors to help us heal, for the sake of our children.
Her story invites readers of every generation to embrace the wounds that unite and strengthen us, claim ownership of our own painful stories, and reframe the past through the lens of love and grace. For in healing ourselves, we step into the sacred space of healing others.
"So much of my healing came after having my children. They've been the ones to show me the way home, back to my essential self.
Today, I'm writing this book for them- for the work they will, no doubt, do for themselves and for their babies.
I write it in memory of my mother, a broken soul, and for all who walk through life a little bit fractured, feeling as though we haven't always had a seat at the table. This is for those of us who have felt the weight of our flaws; and considered ourselves damaged, dysfunctional, and unworthy. It is for those of us who have kept secrets close, out of shame; feeling different; and not being like everybody else.
Welcome to the sisterhood and brotherhood of the beautifully broken. May you put your arms around your uniqueness and embrace the story of how you became wounded. May you learn to lovingly release the very thing that almost destroyed you, so that you can thank it for helping you become the stronger person that you were meant to be. And may that realization bring you peace.
Yes, we're all broken in some way and it makes us beautiful. I believe there are no extraordinary people, only ordinary people who love and forgive others over and over again.
So, I ask you to lean into your stories, embrace them, and share them. Know that we're not meant to stuff them away in our bodies-away from oxygen and light. Stories are powerful and therapeutic. Through mine, you will no doubt, find parts of yours-so take what serves you.
May you find your redemption arc the way I have found mine; may you know on your journey that you are never alone
Godspede, my friend."
