FERGUS – Local author Emily Quint has released a tell-all memoir entitled My Sunflower Soul.
Quint’s memoir reveals her story of resilience, exploring past traumas such as childhood anxiety, disordered eating, cancer, abuse, sexual assault and pregnancy loss.
“In just 30 years I have been through so much and I think I was carrying a lot of that in silence,” said Quint.
“People knew bits and pieces, but rarely did anyone know the full story.”
Quint’s memoir is a testament to the power of “facing the sun,” a theme that is explored in the very title of the memoir.
“No matter how dark the night is, every morning the sunflower turns to face the sun. And so sunflowers have always symbolized hope to me, as well as light,” Quint told the Advertiser.
“And even when there is no sun, sunflowers will turn to face each other, and that’s really how I see my healing. It’s not always about chasing the light alone, but about leaning on others in the dark.”
Quint says she wrote the book to send the message that “no matter what you’re going through, you’re not alone” and she hopes to show those experiencing trauma they can “emerge on the other side.”
When the book was first published in April, Quint said she experienced some panic.
“When it first published, I kind of had a moment of, ‘Oh my gosh,’ because it is so vulnerable,” she said. “I’m sharing some really hard truths about my life. There’s times when I’ve been harmed and I’ve harmed others; no one’s perfect.”
However, panic soon turned into gratitude as friends, family and strangers began to share their appreciation for her vulnerability.
“All my fears when it first published, they’ve now faded away because the response has been so heartwarming,” said Quint.
Now a Master of Social Work student, she said she strives to offer therapy and support to “folks who are navigating hardship.”
“Even the most shattered hearts can grow gardens,” said Quint.
“I think even in the darkest soil, something beautiful can bloom.”
Quint’s memoir can be purchased online at emilyfindshealing.com/my-sunflower-soul, or at Magic Pebble book store in Elora.
