From Grandmother to Author: Dorit Kiperwas Kashman’s My Dad Lives in Heaven Comforts the Young and Old

Finding Comfort Through Connection: “My Dad Lives in Heaven”

Losing someone you love is never easy, especially for children who might not fully understand what’s happening. Dorit Kiperwas Kashman’s heartfelt children’s book, My Dad Lives in Heaven, tenderly approaches this delicate subject, offering gentle guidance and emotional support to families experiencing grief. Grounded in Dorit’s personal story, this moving narrative resonates with readers of all ages.

A Tender Journey from Heartache to Healing

At the center of this touching tale is Liam, a young boy overwhelmed by sadness after losing his father. Liam’s genuine, raw emotions capture what so many children feel during such a profound loss. Dorit, who is Liam’s grandmother, compassionately steps in to help guide him through his grief. She doesn’t provide easy answers; instead, she offers understanding, kindness, and a new way for Liam to feel close to his dad again.

The story gently explores Liam’s initial confusion and sorrow. When Liam cries out, desperately missing his father, his grandmother listens patiently and comforts him with tenderness and empathy. Through their interactions, Liam discovers a beautiful and comforting realization—his dad is still with him, just in a different way.

A Real-Life Inspiration

The emotional depth of My Dad Lives in Heaven comes directly from Dorit’s own life. After tragically losing her younger son in 2015, Dorit saw firsthand how deeply her grandsons—aged eight, six, and only one and a half at the time—struggled with grief. She recognized the need for a comforting yet honest resource to help them cope. Drawing on her holistic approach and compassionate nature, she penned this heartfelt story as a way to reassure her grandchildren that love transcends physical separation.

Her sincere portrayal of family bonds, resilience, and emotional honesty offers a valuable lesson: connection doesn’t end with death; it simply evolves. Dorit’s approach emphasizes emotional openness, compassion, and hope, making her book an invaluable tool for families navigating loss together.

Accessible and Inclusive Comfort

One standout feature of Dorit’s work is its inclusive and multicultural approach. Reflecting her own diverse background—born in Argentina, having lived in Israel and the United States, and now residing in Southern California—Dorit ensures her book can comfort families across various cultures and languages. Available in English, Spanish, and Hebrew, My Dad Lives in Heaven warmly extends a supportive hand to families around the world facing similar challenges.

This multilingual accessibility demonstrates Dorit’s thoughtful dedication to supporting as many grieving children and families as possible. No matter their cultural background, readers will find in her book a compassionate companion on their journey through grief.

Dorit’s Loving Legacy

Dorit Kiperwas Kashman is more than just an author; she’s a devoted grandmother, a creative storyteller, and a compassionate advocate for emotional healing. Her diverse personal experiences—as a mother, grandmother, gardener, knitter, reader, and cook—add richness and depth to her storytelling. These elements bring authenticity and warmth to the pages of her touching book.

Published on Father’s Day in 2024, My Dad Lives in Heaven is a meaningful tribute to Dorit’s son and an enduring gift to grieving families everywhere. Dorit’s approach is deeply empathetic, weaving her personal pain into a universal message of hope, resilience, and continued connection.

A Valuable Resource for All Ages

Though specifically created for children between four and eight years old, My Dad Lives in Heaven holds significant emotional value for adults as well. The story’s gentle narrative and heartfelt insights help readers of any age navigate their own feelings of grief, sadness, and longing. Parents and caregivers will appreciate the thoughtful, supportive guidance this book provides in discussing loss with children.

Ultimately, Dorit’s book stands as a beautiful reminder that, although grief can be overwhelming, our bonds with loved ones endure in new and meaningful ways. In My Dad Lives in Heaven, Dorit offers a powerful and comforting message to all readers—that love persists beyond loss, offering comfort, peace, and enduring connection.

We had the privilege of interviewing the author. Here are excerpts from the interview:

Thank you so much for joining us today! Please tell us about your Book. 

The book is a true story about my three grandsons ages, 8, 6 & 1.5, their father/my son who passed away and me, a mother and grandmother who tried to help her little grandkids, especially the youngest after they lost their dad (my son). 

It’s about coping with grieving and loss for kids and their families. 

It’s to give comfort while showing an encouraging approach to staying connected with a loved one after they passed away, learning to stay connected in a different way. 

The hero of my story is a little boy who found this special way with the help of her grandmother’s holistic approach. 

The story is defined for kids ages 4/5 to 8, but it can also be appropriate for adults going through grief and sadness after losing a loved one. 

What are the strategies that helped you become successful in your journey?

The grandma (me) used her holistic and spiritual (nonreligious) approach to teach her little grandson how to stay connected with his dad, just in a different way…

Any message for our readers

Grieving after the loss of a parent at an early age is painful and difficult to cope with, but we can still stay connected with them in a different way than the way we were used to before they left us and find comfort and peace. 

Thank you so much, Dorit, for taking the time to speak with us. We wish you all the best for your journey ahead!