Introducing Love, Mom a children’s book written and illustrated by two sisters:
Jalyn Scott and Allison Scott Westman.

 
 
 

Love, Mom is a childhood grief resource. All who read Love, Mom will gain a new perspective on grief and loss. In the book, a child reads the hypothetical letters of his mother as she watches over him after her passing. These letters serve to recognize and validate the child's feelings in moments of life that are challenging without a parent. As the child navigates these experiences, he develops tools to process the feelings associated with these significant moments. Love, Mom is a necessary and hopeful book that acknowledges the realities and emotions of loss and living life with grief.

Grief is an ongoing journey that teaches us more about the realities we face within our lives daily, which is evidenced through the experiences of the young boy in our book. Our hope is that Love, Mom can further the conversation surrounding the topic of grief and loss, as well as be affirming and comforting to those walking through grief and loss similar to our own. We are thankful for that undeniably holy moment in Gallup, New Mexico in July 2021, where the ideas of this book were first formed. We are thankful for a mom who championed us in all of our passions, who we desperately wish we could share this moment with. We are eager to share with you the rawness, vulnerability, and compassion that Love, Mom portrays.

 

Meet the Team

Jalyn Scott &
Allison Westman

Jalyn and Allison are sisters from West Texas and both graduates of Abilene Christian University. Through their experience of the loss of their mother as young teenagers, they seek to draw awareness to the conversation of loss and grief, as well as offer comfort and support to others who are in similar circumstances.

 
 
 
 

  • Author

    Jalyn has lived in Abilene, Texas since kindergarten, and graduated from Abilene Christian University with a B.S. in communication sciences and disorders. She plans to further her education at ACU, pursuing a master’s degree in speech-language pathology. Some of her favorite things/hobbies include writing, singing, taking walks, Grey’s Anatomy, shaken espresso, and cuddling her boston terrier and sheepadoodle pups, Rudy and Jules!

    Her role in bringing ‘Love, Mom’ to life included writing the first draft of the manuscript, collaborating with Allison to create the vision of the illustrations, and maintaining communication with our publishing team at Mascot Kids. She is hopeful that ‘Love, Mom’ can continue a more open dialogue about the feelings and experiences associated with losing someone.

 
 
 

  • Co-Author and Illustrator

    Allison grew up in Abilene and graduated from Abilene Christian University with a B.A. in biology and a minor in art. Full time, Allison is an administrative assistant for the youth and family ministries at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, and has her own wedding planning and coordinating business called Wedded by Westman. She is a jack of all trades! She is married to her high school sweetheart, Josh Westman, and they live in Abilene with their two precious pups Oakley and Tucker. Some of her favorite things/hobbies include creating literally anything, hosting get togethers with friends and family, a good target run, taking care of her dogs, and coffee!

    Her role in bringing ‘Love, Mom’ to life included piecing together the angle we took with our prompt (the letter theme), collaborating with Jalyn on rhyme and rhythm, and illustrating ‘Love, Mom’ from cover to cover! Allison is hopeful that ‘Love, Mom’ will provide the permission for a child to experience the authentic feelings such as sadness and hardship, but also the joy, love, and memories that come with remembering a parent they’ve lost.

Hear more about our story and how
Love, Mom came to be.

 

“We all have ways we like to feel connected to loved ones we’ve lost. Sometimes that’s through writing a letter, visiting a graveside, or taking a drive while listening to their favorite song. Talking can at times can be difficult, especially when the only one you want to talk to is no longer with you. Lean into your hard days. Sitting in your grief and allowing yourself to feel sad for a day does not make you weak. Often, that is the only way we feel close to those we’ve lost, and that’s perfectly okay”

— Jalyn Scott