A book with heart

Brian Bell had always wanted to write a book.

Certainly, the late Manitoba Crown attorney would have had stories, having taken on some of the province’s most notorious cases.

But the story he ended up writing was the story of his heart.

Grampie’s Heart, a children’s book written by grandfather to grandchildren, was self-published posthumously after Bell died from pancreatic cancer in January. He was 66.

Bell was diagnosed with cancer just months before, in August, says Beth Bell, Brian’s wife. By October, it was determined it was pancreatic cancer.

“At that point, he knew he had a very short time to live because it was quite advanced,” Beth says.

And so, they prioritized what mattered, and decided to spend that precious time with their people. Bell was a very hands-on grandfather, Beth says, despite the fact all of their grandchildren live in Toronto.

“He really yearned for this close relationship with his grandchildren and, even though we were far away, we just made it happen,” Beth says.

In his final months, Bell’s thoughts turned to how he might be remembered by those he loved.

“He said, you know, my kids will have lots and lots of memories, they’re older, but all these grandkids — how many memories will they have? He said, ‘I want to do something that will allow me to live on,’” Beth says, her voice breaking with emotion.

And so, he decided to write them a book.

Grampie’s Heart, which was self-published via FriesenPress, follows Grampie throughout his life as his heart grows bigger and bigger, making room for his parents, his pets, Beth, his kids and his grandkids.

When Grampie dies, his love lives on as Super Sparkly Magic Glitter, which was inspired by his eldest granddaughter, Bridget, and her love of all things sparkly.

All four of their grandchildren are in the book, including baby Daphne, who was born after Grampie died.

“The kids were all here for Christmas, of course, and before he died in January, and he just looked at (our son) David and (his wife) Sara and said, ‘I need a name for that baby you’re carrying before you leave, because I need it for the book.’

“And so they picked Daphne’s name while they were here at Christmas.”

Bell never got to see the finished book but he did get to see some of the illustrations. The family sent pictures to Canadian illustrator Jocelyne Frank, who Beth says did an amazing job capturing the likeness of everybody.

“The kids can see themselves in all of the characters.”

Other kids might see themselves in the characters, too. Originally, Beth thought they might just print a limited run of the book, just for family. But FriesenPress suggested publishing it more widely, thinking it might help children navigate grief over losing a grandparent, which is often the first major loss in a child’s life.

“I talked to Brian and he said, ‘Well, why not? If another family can benefit, that would be great. If it sells, great. And if it doesn’t sell, well, that’s OK too, because we never set out on this journey for it to be a bestseller,’” Beth says.

The Bells’ children cried when they read it, Beth says.

“The book still sits at the bedside of my two oldest grandchildren. I was just there, and I said to my oldest granddaughter, Bridget, ‘Do you read Grampie’s Heart?’ and she goes, ‘Daddy reads it to me, and he cries every time.’”

Bell also wrote birthday cards for the grandkids, a card for every year right up until their 18th birthdays.

“He poured hours of tears and many boxes of Kleenexes into writing the birthday cards for the grandchildren,” Beth says. “My husband had a very dry sense of humour, so the birthday cards are really funny.”

And so far, the book has done what Bell hoped it might.

“It’s brought up a lot of good conversations with the kids, and it allows us to share memories because Grampie was very silly,” she says. “For me, it just captures his spirit.”

Grampie’s Heart is available online as well as at Chapter’s Polo Park.

jen.zoratti@winnipegfreepress.com