Inspired by real events, This Sure Thing captures a boy's persistence after the death of his younger brother.

The boy imagines what life would be like if his brother were still alive. Days might be filled with football, laughter, and video games! His brother might discover the trick candles on his birthday cake! Despite all he wonders, the boy knows one thing for sure: his brother is no longer here, but the love he has for him still is. In sharing this unfading love with others, and writing notes to his deceased brother, the boy discovers both meaning and connection on his grief journey.

This Sure Thing, through a heartfelt, first-person narrative, encourages youth to continue to live the love they have for their person no longer here.

About the Author

Sarah Mayfield struggled to find informed grief services for her son, Bradley, after the death of his brother, Elliot. Today, Sarah’s passion is supporting bereaved youth and families while promoting grief awareness.  

Sarah is a Compassionate Bereavement Care™ Certified Provider, is Certified in Thanatology (Association for Death Education and Counseling) and has been a Nationally Certified Counselor since 2007. She earned both a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Counselor Education from the University of Virginia.  

In her previous nine years as an elementary school counselor, Sarah loved reading picture books aloud to classes on the carpet. It was through the students’ reactions to these books that she discovered a passion for an earnest message packaged in a confident, rewarding rhythm.

Personally, Sarah finds joy in upcycling forsaken furniture, getting lost in the plants (and weeds) of her yard, dancing unapologetically in the kitchen with her husband and kids, and remembering the motto, “Love never fails.”