Susan Loch can now add 'published author' to her name.
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The Mollymook resident will officially launch her book, Jessica's Gift, at Mollymook Reserve on Sunday.
While it's only her name with author credits, Susan knows she didn't write the book alone - she was guided by her beautiful daughter Jessica.
Jessica was tragically killed on March 21, 2011 when she lost control of her car just south of Wandandian and collided with a tree. She was just 19-years-old.
Jessica's Gift has been more than five years in the making and shares the story of Jessica's life and Susan's journey towards healing.
Susan said there's no doubt in her mind Jessica, who dreamed of becoming a journalist herself, helped pen the powerful book.
"There was one time in particular when I'd just written the words 'whirlpool of darkness' and I felt this message from my left hand side telling me to just pick up the pencil with my right hand and write the word 'maelstrom'," she said.
"I had no idea what this word meant but I found out it means 'a powerful whirlpool in the sea or a river' and it was just right. She helped me write this, there's not a doubt."
While the pain will never be gone, Susan is a different person today. After her daughter's death she could no longer work in the two jobs she'd previously held.
She moved to Sydney and spent the next four years working part-time in office administration, while travelling back home weekly to care for her teenage sons Nathan and Dylan and husband Brad.
Navigating her overwhelming grief has been a long road.
She recalls walking into a Compassionate Friends support group for parents who'd lost their children and thinking she must be in the wrong room.
"There was 24 other mums laughing and chatting in there and I couldn't see how that could ever be me," she said.
Fortunately, today she's there. She has a job she loves at Ulladulla Children's Centre and said she gets out of bed every day smiling - something she once thought would never happen again.
She still feels Jessica's presence often. Just this week one of Jessica's many friends reached out.
After losing her own brother in 2012, she thanked Susan for writing a book that will help her own mum navigate her all-consuming grief.
While she hopes Jessica's Gift will provide comfort and inspiration to others, Susan said it's her story alone.
"We all get out of the fog in different ways and this is my story; it's not Brad's or Nathan's or Dylan's. We're all individuals but we all have the power to change and be happy and we deserve it," she said.
She made a special mention to her husband Brad for supporting her through the many long nights of writing, taking over the endless household jobs so she could bring her book to life.
Jess would have turned 30 next year. Birthdays, Christmases and anniversaries will never be the same without the vivacious, kind and outgoing young woman but the family plan to celebrate her special day at 'Little Hawaii' behind the Mollymook Golf course - a place Jess loved to spend time at.
The book launch will be held Sunday, November 22 at Mollymook Reserve near the Surf Club from 11am and everyone is welcome to head along.
There will be a smoking ceremony by Aboriginal elder Noel Butler starting at 11am. A donation bucket for BeyondBlue will be available.
Jessica's Gift will be available for purchase at the launch, or by contacting Susan Loch at susanloch.author@gmail.com