Local author looks to heal hearts

Everyone reaches a time in their life when they could use a helping hand. Trout Creek resident and Montana native Susan Sweatman knows this all too well, and she is willing to lend that hand.

Sweatman has recently released her first book, "Healing for Your Heart: One Poem at a Time." The compilation of poems was written by Sweatman over a 47-year period ranging from 1970 to 2017. The poems are aimed at providing support, through "God's healing touch," to women who have experienced a journey of trauma after having an abortion.

For more than 20 years Sweatman has provided counseling to women who have struggled with the choice to have an abortion, so she is well rehearsed on the topic. Many of her poems are based off real life experiences she has encountered through her time with clients.

She wants to make it clear that her book is a "life experience book, not a political agenda book," and she does not condemn women for making the choice to have an abortion. She understands that women may have felt that an abortion was the best option at that time. What she does want is for women to know they have someone they can turn to for support, and that her poems may help ease the pain.

Dec. 2, Sweatman will be signing her book of poems at 1-4 p.m. at Garden of Read'n in Missoula. Dec. 9, she will be available at Trout Creek Christmas Tea at the Lakeside Resort in Trout Creek. Lastly, her presence will be made at Linda's Gifts in Thompson Falls on Dec. 16, noon to 3 p.m. For each book purchased at Linda's Gifts, the purchaser will receive a chance to win a $25 gift certificate.

Sweatman gave much kudos to Sandy Compton of Blue Creek Press.

"I never planned on writing a book, but Sandy was just excellent at moving me toward publishing this book," she stated. She expressed that Compton had much to do with getting this book in print through his encouragement and knowledge.

Statistics show that one in three women have at least one abortion before the age of 45. With numbers like this, Sweatman knows that she is doing the right thing by bringing a light to the distresses surrounding abortion recovery and helping to heal abortion related wounds. She currently assists women in Sandpoint and Sanders County with counseling services.

Sweatman can be contacted at (406) 827-8787 for more information on her book of poems or for assistance.