Shelly M. Sharp
I’m Shelly Sharp, the creator of Project Legacy: Let Me Tell You About My Child. In December 2021, my daughters Shannon and Destiny died just 23 days apart. As I tried to find my way through that loss, I felt a deep need to gather the stories, photographs, familiar words, and everyday details that belonged to their lives.
I wanted those stories and memories together in one place so that, on the extremely difficult days, I could open the book, flip through the pages, and feel my daughters closer to me again. I also wanted someone opening those pages years from now to have the opportunity to know them through the memories of the people who loved them.
That need became Project Legacy.
Why this work matters to me.
I created Project Legacy for parents who want somewhere to tell their child’s story, whether their child was very young or well into adulthood. The prompts offer a starting place for memories while leaving room for each parent’s own words, photographs, and experiences.
I also founded Broken Hearts–Grief Support for Parents and Grandparents, a local grief support group in Erie, Pennsylvania, for parents and grandparents whose child or grandchild has died. Creating a space where we can say our children’s names, share their stories, and speak honestly about our grief is work I hold close to my heart.
My hope is that this book becomes a treasured part of your family’s story—a place where your child’s life can continue to be known through the memories you preserve.
Through Project Legacy and Broken Hearts, I hope to give parents a place to share their children’s stories and preserve the memories that help them feel closer. Both grew from my love for Shannon and Destiny, and from knowing how much it matters to have our children’s lives remembered.
and there will always be more to tell about the life you love.