'Their lives were going to make a difference': Book explores mother's journey after losing children
Two Alberta authors are hoping their book can help raise awareness of domestic violence in Canada and help prevent future tragedies, like the one that prompted them to write the book.
Gross Misconduct: Hitting From Behind was written by Tracy Stark and her therapist Sandra Young Kolbuc.
The book chronicles Stark’s experience through divorce, custody battle and the murder of her children by their biological father in 2016.
“We’re telling the story and all the emotion that comes with it and all the wonder of people who were there to support Tracy and to try and make a difference, not just in building more women’s shelters, but in changing the culture of violence,” said Kolbuc.
“It is a very hard read, it’s very raw, it takes you on a journey… when I found the boys… murdered by their father and then the journey I went on with my boys,” added Stark.
“A lot of the readers, they’ve told me they can… they feel my pain, they lived the exact same life I lived and I feel like it’s a bible, people are going to read it and hope to god that their outcome is a lot better than mine.”
In 2019, Stark approached Kolbuc to co-author the book and it released in February.
“We’d have to take breaks because we were dealing with some really vivid memories… we had to work through that… and I think through that whole process we were really able to work well together to bring this story into the world,” said Kolbuc.
On Saturday and Sunday the pair are at Wolfe Cadillac, meeting readers and supporters and signing books.
“It’s a gratifying emotion, meeting so many people. I told myself I wasn’t going to cry at all and I’ve cried three times,” said Stark. “It’s just so nice to see the support and the support that’s been with us pretty much since the boys died.
“I just want to thank everybody that’s walked our path with us since day one and never left our side, I’m here because of you.”
The book also touches on what it calls failures in Canada’s legal systems that need to eb addressed to protect women and children.
“There were systems that failed her and naturally we want people in positions of influence to look at these laws and look at these procedures and policies,” said Kolbuc. “We want women and the men who love them to stand up and say there needs to be a change and for this to happen we want people to start having conversations.
“Tracy made a promise to her boys that their lives were going to make a difference, the day they died she made that promise to them.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza’s vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as ceasefire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife’s edge.
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.
Putin begins his fifth term as president, more in control of Russia than ever
Vladimir Putin began his fifth term Tuesday as Russian leader at a glittering Kremlin inauguration, setting out on another six years in office after destroying his political opponents, launching a devastating war in Ukraine and concentrating all power in his hands.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.