My Daddy’s Crescent Smile is an illustrated children’s book that explores grief, remembrance, emotional expression, and the connection that continues after loss. Written by Shayla Michelle and Mike Reaves Jr., it gives children, and the adults who love them, a tender way to name big feelings and hold on to the people they miss.
Around the book, WestBone built a healing-centered experience that turns a story into a shared moment. Through storytelling, reflection, creativity, and facilitated conversation, it supports emotional wellness for youth, families, and caregivers, and makes hard conversations about grief feel welcoming instead of clinical.
Reflection → Expression → Healing
A narrative journey through laughter, tension, and revelation told in vignettes that feel both personal and universal.
A guided reading that opens space for feelings and memory.
A guided reading that opens space for feelings and memory.
A guided reading that opens space for feelings and memory.
A guided reading that opens space for feelings and memory.
A guided reading that opens space for feelings and memory.
A guided reading that opens space for feelings and memory.
A guided reading that opens space for feelings and memory.
A guided reading that opens space for feelings and memory.
Cobbler & Conversation is a free community gathering where peach cobbler becomes a conduit for honest conversation about grief, mental health, and healing. Grounded in the themes of My Daddy’s Crescent Smile and held alongside mental health professionals and community voices, it blends storytelling, facilitated discussion, and reflection into a warm, welcoming space. People leave feeling more connected, more hopeful, and closer to the support they need.
We shaped this experience to meet people where they are. Each edition holds the same tender core but fits the room, the need, and the moment.
We still hope
A film screening and dialogue exploring resilience, faith, and justice.
Hospital edition
Gentle bedside-friendly support for young patients and their families.
School edition
Classroom programming that opens space for grief and emotional wellness.
Conference edition
A keynote-style experience for professional audiences and care networks.
After attending, participants reported feeling more hopeful and more connected, greater comfort talking about grief, and new awareness of support resources.
Production stills and behind-the-scenes moments capturing the warmth and intimacy of the performance.
How the show created connection and belonging for those in the room.
Grief can be heavy, and you do not have to carry it by yourself. If you or someone you love needs support, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers free help, available any time by call or text. NAMI Minnesota can also connect you and your family with mental health resources.
