Crying Over The Litter Box: Surviving the Death of My Son

Raw Account of a Mother's Loss to Suicide: A Journey Through Grief's Unpredictable Waves, Challenging Stigmas, and Advocating Mental Health Awareness.

In the heart-wrenching memoir, Crying Over The Litter Box, Dom Cooper bares her soul, sharing her personal and deeply affecting journey through grief following the tragic loss of her youngest son, Grayson, to suicide. This isn't a typical grief book penned by therapists or experts, but a brutally honest narrative from a mother navigating the turbulent waters of unimaginable loss.

Dom's unflinching, yet humorous style is filled with raw honesty, detailing her experiences with the unbearable pain, anger, and isolation that many grief books tend to shy away from. She reveals the harsh reality of societal stigmas surrounding teen suicide and the judgment that follows, throwing light on a side of grief seldom acknowledged.

Dom structures her account around the five stages of grief-Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance-based on Elizabeth Kler-Ross's model. Yet, she challenges this conventional idea, presenting grief as an unpredictable, messy, and individual journey. She expands on the concept of loss, stating it's not just about death, but also about losing relationships, identity, stability, and even faith in humanity.

Crying Over The Litter Box is more than just a book; it's Dom's resolute battle to find a way forward amidst the chaos. She candidly discusses the strain on her relationships, her near loss of her marriage and oldest son, and her struggle to regain a sense of self. Now, as a keynote speaker on suicide awareness, Dom uses her story to help break the stigma associated with suicide and grief, advocating for open conversations about mental health.

This book isn't about providing easy answers or quick fixes. It's about honesty, validation, and the reassurance that survival-while painful-is possible. Dom's journey serves as a testament that healing is attainable, even in the darkest moments. Crying Over The Litter Box is a compelling read for anyone seeking to understand the raw and real side of grief and loss, offering solace that no one is alone in their pain.