Introduction
THE ENCHANTED BIRDS OF PARADISE ISLAND was written in 1978, a few
months after my first-born son, Jon, died of Sudden Infant Death
Syndrome.
While writing the story was part of my grief process, it was almost an
involuntary act. It seemed to flow out of me and is presented here
virtually without change. I loved the story at once and later
commissioned the beautiful illustrations. I have dedicated it to
my son’s mother, Adrienne.
Almost 30 years have passed since, but the words still express what I
was feeling and thinking at the time. I learned so much from my
son. His life was truly a gift. Many people and experiences
helped me to come to the place where I could express in words through
this story some of what I came to understand during that time.
It seems to me that through meditation and time spent alone in nature I
was prepared for the entire process of becoming a parent and losing a
child. Without that preparation the story would surely not have
been written and the lessons learned. All of if was a gift.
Life is a gift. I hope reading it will in some way be a gift to
you.