Book
In 1961, Michael Rockefeller, son of then-governor of New York State, Nelson A . Rockefeller, disappeared off the remote coast of southern New Guinea. Amidst the glare of international public interest, the governor, along with Michael’s twin, Mary, set off on a futile search, only to return empty-handed and empty-hearted. What followed was Mary’s 27-year repression of her grief, an unconscious denial of her twin’s death, and a painful inner isolation that haunted her relationships and controlled her life.
When Grief Calls Forth the Healing is a universally compelling, spiritually evocative book about experiencing and integrating deep
personal loss. Seen through the unique lens of twin loss, this book
magnifies and explores the grieving issues of any deeply bonded
relationship. In this startlingly frank memoir, Mary Rockefeller
Morgan struggles to claim an individual identity, which enables her
to face Michael’s death and the huge loss it engendered. With
remarkable honesty, she shares her inspiring healing journey and her
story of moving forward into a life of new beginnings and meaning,
especially in her work with others who have lost a twin.
“Cohesive and compelling…As good memoirists should, Rockefeller steps beyond herself to raise larger issues.” –Kirkus Review
“Mary R. Morgan is a gifted psychotherapist, a courageous explorer of the unconscious and a master story teller. She takes us with her as fellow travelers as she discovers the power to heal that is our common birthright as human beings. By sharing her personal journey as well as her experience as a therapist to many others, she helps us trust the natural process of healing which ultimately frees us from grief and carries us safely home. When Grief Calls Forth the Healing is an exquisitely written book about the Mystery of twinship. Be prepared for this book to make you less afraid of loss and of life.”
–Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D., Author, Kitchen Table Wisdom, and My Grandfather’s Blessings
“When Grief Calls Forth the Healing is a moving, heart-breaking and ultimately gratifying account of one woman’s overwhelming loss, struggle and resolution tied to the mysterious disappearance of her twin brother. The loss of a twin has been largely overlooked by the psychological and medical community, but this captivating narrative gives the subject the care and attention it so rightly deserves.” –Dr. Nancy L. Segal, Professor of Developmental Psychology and Director of the Twin Studies Center at California State University, Fullerton Author, Someone Else’s Twin
“Mary R. Morgan’s book is a Gift of the Soul, not only for the twinless twins of the world, but for all of us who search for the answer to the universal question of ‘Who Am I?’ Read it. Admire her and then begin your own search.” –Darcie D. Sims, PhD, CHT, CT, GMS. Director of The American Grief Academy
“In this very moving memoir, Mary R. Morgan shares the deep loss she felt at the disappearance of her twin and the story of her unique healing journey. This book will be equally valuable to lone twins and psychotherapists.” –Joan Woodward, Psychotherapist and Founder of The Lone Twin Network, UK Author, The Lone Twin: Understanding Twin Bereavement and Loss
“For anyone who has loved another deeply and lost them to death, this book is a boon. For any of us who is a twin and lost their beloved sibling to death, this book is a necessity. With discretion and taste, the reader is taken into Morgan’s life story and the hard-won miracle of letting the beloved twin go into his own freedom, and the surviving twin move into the completeness of her own life. This book reaches deep into the psyche and illuminates the soul.” –Ann Belford Ulanov, M.Div., Ph.D., Author of The Unshuttered Heart: Opening to Aliveness
From Readers:
“I have just finished reading your amazing book. It is so well crafted, and beautifully, poetically and bravely written. I am sure it has been, and will be a most valuable and helpful tool for all twins, twinless or not, as well as for others who are not twinned.” Anne C., Brookline, MA
“The memoir is a profound insight into grieving for everyone especially where there is no closure… It also goes beyond helping twinless twins.” Susan F., New York, NY
“There was so much to learn from your passage, gain from your insights and admire in both your forthright and clarity of expression. Thank you for dedicating those six years to the task. Beautifully written!” Molly B., Wayland, MA
“Your book is a courageous gift to all us who have experienced deep losses and have tried to find enduring healing. I am moved by your authenticity and willingness to invite and allow the reader to join your transformative experiences – so poignant and a strong affirmation of the power of alternative methods beyond talking. A stellar achievement!” Ann S., CA
“You truly, truly inspired me – especially your courage!! I loved the part of the book where you discover to yourself, ‘I am a twin. Until I read that, I had thought I was only half a twin!!….You have done us all a great mitzvah – a great deed – by showing your incredible story of loss and freedom!!” Betty A., Cambridge, MA
“A beautiful blend of the universal, the personal and the spiritual and the professional. It is amazing to be able to turn a horrible tragedy into a uniquely useful dedication…Thank you for your beautiful book.” Ellen F., New York, NY
“What a tribute while being a great gift to others.” Ruth, New York, NY
“It is a wonderful book – a personal journey with meaning for many, especially understanding of those deep, deep losses which are so deep we hardly know they are there, even as they continue to form our lives.” Chris N, Bronx, NY
“Warmest congratulations and high praise for ‘Beginning with the End,” which I read last fall and found not just wonderfully written but deeply moving.” Susan L., Orchard Park, NY
“Thank you for the gift of your story and the model it provides of the path you traveled resolving the loss of your brother and the discovery of yourself.” Melvyn B., Boulder, CO
“I found it such a wonderful, informative heartfelt exploration of twin loss versus loss of a loved one.” Debby S., Freeport, NY