For 10 years, Jeba Pandian was just pretending, acting like everything was okay when really, she couldn't escape her darkest moment.
"It's the one thing parents aren't supposed to do," Jeba said. "[Parents are] not supposed to bury your child. And we did."
In 2007, Jeba's first child, Isabella, was born nearly four months early.
She died just five days later.
"It was a dark hole," she said.
Jeba tried to find closure, but couldn't until her youngest daughter, born two years later, started asking questions.
"Because she's my sister and I didn't get to know her," said Jeba's daughter, Sophia Pandian. "And I was really lonely and I figured if I knew more about my sister I said I wouldn't feel so lonely."
Specifically, 9-year-old Sophia wanted to know what Isabella was up to in heaven.
Jeba suggested the best way to get answers was to draw pictures of angels. Sophia drew more than 20 pictures and Jeba wrote a story to go with them, which they eventually published into a book.
In it, Sophia imagined all the normal things her sister would be doing, like dishes, and also the not so normal. She drew a picture of Isabella sword fighting while holding a cat on her head.
Jeba says the pictures may be silly, but they brought change.
"I thought I was doing it for Sophia," Jeba said. "But, turned out, I was really doing it for myself."
Part of the reason Jeba had so much trouble moving on was that she feared Isabella's life had no purpose. When, in reality, she still has so much to give.
"Because those people may have lost somebody they love too," Sophia said. "And maybe the book will help them."
"It gave her purpose," Jeba added. "So we're ok."
Certainly, a story worth sharing.
For more information on “My Sister is My Guardian Angel” or to order, visit www.myangelbooks.com. Use the code “WFAA” for a discount ($2 off).