“This book is for any parent, grandparent, or caregiver helping a child process change, separation, or grief. Love Stays reminds us that even when people leave, love and God’s presence remain. Let it be a tool for healing conversations and moments of closeness.”

 There once was a little boy named Alex.
 He was just one year old, full of giggles and wonder.
 He lived with his Mama in a cozy, warm house full of hugs, toys, and the smell of homemade soup.
 Alex and Mama were the best team ever.

 One day, Mama’s friend Duoduo Dada came to live with them.
 He smiled, told silly jokes, and sometimes helped cook dinner.
Alex didn’t know it then, but Mama loved Duoduo Dada very much.

And Duoduo Dada loved us very much, too!

 But after a while, things started to change.
 Duoduo Dada stopped smiling as much.
 He stopped playing.
And one day, Duoduo Dada left.

Mama was quiet. Sometimes, when she thought Alex wasn’t looking, she cried. One time, Alex saw her and said, “Mama, I’ll tie Duoduo Dada down and his Black Tesla! So he can’t leave you again!”

Mama gave him a big hug and said softly,
 “Oh, baby… thank you for loving me so much.
 But we can’t hold people down, even if we love them.
Letting someone go, even when it hurts, can be a kind of love too.”

“Sometimes people leave, and that’s part of life.
 But even when they go, love stays in our hearts.
 We can cry, and that’s okay.
We can miss them, and still go on.”