Category Archives: Grief and Loss

THE THIRTY-YEAR GENOCIDE

Posted on March 26, 2020 by Dawn Essegian Lajeunesse

I feel like I just struck gold in the research for my historical fiction! I have amassed so many articles and books and photos and interviews. Still, I felt my mental picture of the time frame when Armenians were subjected … Continue reading →

Posted in Armenians, Christians, Genocide, Grief and Loss, historical fiction, History | Tagged Armenian genocide, Christians, Greek deportations, Kurds, Massacres, Muslim nation, Ottoman Turks | Leave a comment

BIRTH OF AN ARMENIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY

Posted on March 2, 2020 by Dawn Essegian Lajeunesse

I grew up in a community of Armenians. Every block within a 4-5 block diameter contained multiple Armenian families, and at the center of it was the church. The groundbreaking for the first church was celebrated by the entire congregation. … Continue reading →

Posted in Armenians, Church, Community, Genocide, Grief and Loss, Immigrants, Resilience | Tagged Armenians, Church, Genocide, Memorials | Leave a comment

THE ARMENIAN TAPESTRY

Posted on July 12, 2019 by Dawn Essegian Lajeunesse

A-no’o-nus Dawn Essegian Lajeunesse. Hal’/lee a-me-ree-ga-tsee yem. Hos yem. My name is Dawn Essegian Lajeunesse. I am Armenian American. I am here. It has been a while since I have posted about my Armenian book project. Happily, that is because … Continue reading →

Posted in Armenians, family, Genocide, Grief and Loss, Immigrants, Resilience, Strength, survival | Tagged Armenians, families, Immigrants, Relationships, Resilience, Strength | 4 Comments

HANG ON TO THE HOPE!

Posted on June 29, 2019 by Dawn Essegian Lajeunesse

I don’t often post any book reviews. But one just released by a friend of mine caused me to make an exception. It’s a fast read, but don’t be surprised to find yourself going back and re-reading parts that touched … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Books, Grief and Loss, Writing | Tagged Book review, grief, loss | Leave a comment

ARMENIAN STRENGTH AND RESILIENCE

Posted on March 9, 2019 by Dawn Essegian Lajeunesse

HA’/EE YEM! A-ME-REE-GA-TSEE YEM! I am Armenian! I am American! [Scenes From the Armenian genocide (shaded due to graphic nature): Left-bodies prior to burning; Top right-public hangings; Bottom right-refugees boarding lifeboats at Smyrna] An internet video search of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Armenians, Genocide, Grief and Loss, Resilience, Strength, Uncategorized | Tagged Armenians, Genocide | Leave a comment

LOSS CAN STRENGTHEN YOUR WRITING

Posted on June 9, 2017 by Dawn Essegian Lajeunesse

IN MEMORY OF NALA Decades after high school and college, my husband and I were packing up to move to our “dream house.” (Hint: that was four homes ago, which tells you dreams are not always what you think they … Continue reading →

Posted in Grief and Loss, Uncategorized, Writing | Tagged Emotion, grief, loss, writing | 4 Comments

KIRKUS REVIEW OF STAR CATCHING

Posted on October 26, 2016 by Dawn Essegian Lajeunesse

My Kirkus review of STAR CATCHING arrived yesterday. While close to two-thirds was a summary of the story line, it closed with the following review (the excerpt follows the Kirkus policy for excerpts: “…Young Sarah is an appealing, memorable character … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Books, Grief and Loss, Star Catching, Women's Fiction, Writing | Tagged authors, Book Launch, Book reviews, Books, Characters, Kirkus, writing | Leave a comment

STAR CATCHING’S IMMINENT ARRIVAL!

Posted on October 23, 2016 by Dawn Essegian Lajeunesse

Do you believe that our departed loved ones watch over us from up there among the stars? October 25th is a sad day for me every year. On October 25, 1972 Paul, the man I expected to spend the rest … Continue reading →

Posted in Autumn Colors, Blogs, Book Signings, Books, Grief and Loss, In Her Mother's Shoes, Star Catching, Women's Fiction, Writing | Tagged Autumn Colors, Blogs, Book Release, Books, family, Grief and Loss, In Her Mother's Shoes, novel, Relationships, Star Catching, women's fiction, writing, YA | 1 Comment

COUNTDOWN TO LAUNCH!

Posted on October 9, 2016 by Dawn Essegian Lajeunesse

Three…two…one…LIFT OFF! In less than one month my newest novel, Star Catching, will make its debut! Early copies will go out to friends and editors who helped make it what it is: A family struck by tragedy is forced to … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogs, Book Sales, Book Signings, Books, Grief and Loss, Self Publishing, Writing | Tagged Book Launch, Books, Dawn Lajeunesse, family, friends, novel, Relationships, Star Catching | 2 Comments

STAR CATCHING

Posted on September 5, 2016 by Dawn Essegian Lajeunesse

Way back in March, when we were trying hard to say good-bye to winter and welcome the warmer months, I announced the completion of my third novel. The title then was Gram and Me. Fast forward past spring and summer, after … Continue reading →