Jennifer Love Hewitt, a renowned actress and producer, still vividly recalls the heart-wrenching moment when she learned of her mother's passing. In her new book, "Inheriting Magic: My Journey Through Grief, Joy, Celebration, and Making Every Day Magical", she shares this deeply personal experience.

Discovering the Magic in Grief and Joy

Learning of the Diagnosis

In June 2012, Hewitt was invited to attend a TV festival in Monaco. Her mother, Pat, had been diagnosed with cancer in February and had undergone surgery and chemotherapy. They had a wonderful time in Monaco before, and this time Hewitt was hesitant to leave. They decided to plan a cancer-free party before she left, which gave them hope during those difficult times. Before taking off, Hewitt sent her mother a picture of herself holding champagne, and her mother responded with a picture in a silly rainbow wig filter. It was a perfect moment.However, this was the last exchange she had with her mother. After landing in Monaco, she turned on her phone and saw missed calls from an unknown number. Her mother's friend left a message saying her mother had a rough night and was in the hospital. Hewitt knew deep down that she shouldn't have left and would never forgive herself.

The Waiting and the Fear

As she tried to get more information, the hours passed slowly. Her brother was on his way to Los Angeles, but she couldn't get a flight out until the next morning. Her mother was in a coma, and the doctors gave her a 20 percent chance of survival. It felt like a nightmare, and she desperately wanted to wake up. She was planning their biggest party yet, and this couldn't be happening. Finally, she was able to get the next flight out and made it home, but it was too late. She never got the chance to say goodbye.She walked out of her mother's front door full of hope and laughter, but now she could barely enter as her mother was gone. Her whole life changed, and she changed too.

Processing Grief and Finding Magic

In the process of dealing with her grief, Hewitt realized that she and her mother weren't supposed to say goodbye. They were supposed to be laughing, planning parties, and looking forward to the joy they would bring. That's what they loved to do, and in their last moment together, that's what they did. They planned an amazing party. Through grief, Hewitt found herself as a wife, a mommy, a magic-maker, and a "Holiday Junkie".Now, in her new book, Hewitt is sharing her grief journey with readers and spreading the message of finding joy. "Inheriting Magic" encourages turning "sorrow to celebration" and looking for ways to bring light into our lives.Today, Hewitt is celebrating new joys in life. She is successful in her TV drama "9-1-1" as 911 dispatcher Maddie Han. Her daughter, Autumn, 10, recently earned her SAG card after acting with her. Her whole family, including Autumn, husband Brian Hallisay, 46, and sons Atticus, 9, and Aidan, 3, also appear in her new Lifetime Christmas movie, "The Holiday Junkie", out on December 14.Jennifer Love Hewitt's story is a reminder that even in the face of great loss, we can find magic and continue to live life to the fullest.