Carmel Resident Shared Experience in Grief Anthology
Jolie Hackworth wrote an essay for a new book dedicated to processing loss and finding healing.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Military
Jolie Hackworth of Carmel has contributed an essay to Hogan Hilling's book, Let's Talk Grief: Breaking the Silence and Healing With Grace, Peace and Harmony. The anthology includes stories from 28 different contributors navigating the complexities of mourning.
Why it matters
The book serves as a resource for those seeking to share their experiences and assist in their personal healing processes following significant loss. Hackworth provided her insight after connecting with the author through an online search for her late son's family.
The anthology Let's Talk Grief: Breaking the Silence and Healing With Grace, Peace and Harmony features 28 distinct contributors. Jolie Hackworth contributed a piece titled Overcoming the Guilt and Moving Forward With Life.
The players
Jolie Hackworth
She is a resident of Carmel who authored an essay for the anthology to process the death of her son.
Hogan Hilling
He is an author and the publisher of Let's Talk Grief and the previous book Preston's Charm.
Jonathon Michael Hackworth
He was a sergeant in the U.S. Army who died at the age of 21.
The details
Jolie Hackworth was prompted to contribute after Hogan Hilling discovered a photograph of her son, Sergeant Jonathon Michael Hackworth, in a memorial display at Fort Bragg, N.C. Her son served in the U.S. Army and passed away at age 21, and he previously served in the same company as Preston Bagley, who died in an accident in 2019.
Timeline
Preston Bagley died in an automobile accident in 2019.
Jonathon Michael Hackworth died on April 12, 2020.
The article was published on October 10, 2026.
Political Context
This project follows the pattern set by the publication of Preston's Charm, continuing the author's work in exploring themes of grief. Some critics argue that such anthologies may struggle to provide cohesive clinical guidance compared to professional bereavement services.
Readers struggling with grief may find the anthology a useful tool for personal processing and finding shared experiences. The inclusion of personal narratives from military families offers a specific perspective on navigating loss and the long-term impact on survivors.
The takeaway
Sharing personal stories can be a powerful component of the healing journey for those grieving a sudden or traumatic loss. Implementing creative outlets or therapy-focused activities can assist individuals in moving forward while honoring the memory of their loved ones.
What happens next
Jolie Hackworth plans to complete therapy work training for her golden retriever, Finley.
Further reading
For more context on how military families navigate service-related losses, visit the Military section.
More information
Learn more about the project by visiting the information about Hilling and his travels page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Current Publishing.
