Laughing in a Waterfall is a mother’s story of her daughter’s life and death and their continuing relationship. At age 5, Nina met her friend Kirsten. Thirteen years later, both girls were killed in a car accident. Nina’s foundation for life was formed by the five years her family spent living in Camphill Village Minnesota, a rural intentional community including adults with development disabilities, and by her education using the Waldorf approach. In letters exchanged with her friends, and in excerpts from her journal, Nina’s own words reveal her rich inner life and become a source of wonder for her parents.

After the accident in New York State, where Nina and Kirsten were attending a Waldorf high school, the support of the community in holding a home vigil for the girls gave Marianne courage to face her unfathomable loss. Back in Minnesota, with a teenager and young child still at home, and a dying mother 500 miles away, Marianne’s own spiritual resources came to her aid in transcending her grief.

This poignant memoir offers insights into how to create a new culture around the sacred threshold of death and keep a living connection to those on the other side.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

“This book is obviously so much more than a story about death, grief and the threshold, it weaves in the essentials of what feeds us as humans…”

Sheryl Grassie, Minneapolis, MN

“The simple and lovely style with which Marianne evokes the mood of such a profound journey reminds us that there is nothing more important than to remember we are always in the presence of the spiritual world, if we would only see!”

Kim Chotzen, Viroqua, WI

“Marianne Dietzel opens her heart in this genuine accounting of her profound grief following her daughter’s death.  Marianne’s decision to share her thoughtful process through her writing is a gift to us all.  Indeed, it appears her daughter Nina lives on in these pages, bringing insight into the mystery of life, death, and the power of transformative grief.”

Shawn Johnson, Ph.D., Marriage and Family Therapist

“Laughing in a Waterfall brings to the world the conscious caring of oneself and one’s family, and, certainly, a loved one who has passed on beyond death! The blessing of Rudolf Steiner’s work and his spiritual legacy shine through the author’s experience as she grappled with the mega-transformation of the loss of her daughter, Nina in a car accident in 1996.

The seeds of this book took root long ago and gradually found their proper channel to express that which is nearly inexpressible–the soul’s journey of deepest loss. Along with her personal experience, Marianne shares the techniques she used that helped carry her through those darkest of days, which helped infuse greater and greater light as she slowly and almost imperceptibly drew back into life. At the same time the soul work that Marianne and her husband Dennis engaged in had at its basis the truth of the undying connection between us and our loved ones, between us and love. By nurturing and enlivening that, Marianne re-created her relationship to Nina in a way that is both immediate and continuing. This then defines a paradox of death begetting life, of loss begetting love and of presence suffusing absence.

Marianne’s story weaves together the impermanent nature of life, with its worldly joys and sorrows, with that which is beyond and transcendental. It ultimately challenges the reader to feel and experience life more deeply, to be open to its tears, losses, revelations and laughter!”

Pat Hogan, Author of Alison’s Gift, The Song of a Thousand Hearts Opening

“Thanks for writing this book.  I will be recommending it to several coworkers who, in turn, are likely to recommend it as a resource to grieving families.  I admire both your willingness and ability to articulate the pain, joys, and uncertainties you have experienced through this loss.  The intentional way that Nina remains alive for you and the practical path you provide for others experiencing loss are inspiring.”

Dean Fox, MD FACP, Medical Director, St. Mary’s Hospice and Palliative Care, Duluth, MN