And the Sun Came Up by Mary Grace Johnson: A Story of Childhood Grief, Faith, and Healing

In this episode of My Friend Writes Podcast, I’m sitting down with Mary Grace Johnson, author of And the Sun Came Up: A True Story of Grief and Hope.Mary shares the story behind her faith-based children’s book inspired by the loss of her father in a tragic farm accident when she was just eight years old. Together, we talk about childhood grief, anxiety, healing, family, faith, and the unexpected ways writing can help us process the stories we carry for years.We also discuss:• writing through grief and trauma• imposter syndrome and the fear of sharing your story• faith and emotional healing• creating children’s books that offer hope• how loss shapes identity over time• why every person’s story mattersThis conversation is honest, gentle, and deeply encouraging for writers, readers, parents, and anyone walking through loss or healing.If you’ve ever wondered whether your story could help someone else feel less alone, I think this episode will stay with you.