Last One Standing: Surviving the Death and Loss of My Sibling, Coping with Grief and Mourning, and Becoming the Memory Keeper

Each of us will face loss in our lifetime. Each of us will grieve.

This is the story of sibling loss and becoming the last one left-but it speaks to anyone who grieves, and to anyone who longs to understand and support the grieving.

To lose a sibling is to lose part of yourself.

To be the last one standing is to carry what remains.

In Last One Standing, retired attorney and writer P. J. Johnson takes readers on a deeply personal yet universally relatable journey into the silence and quiet ache of losing her almost-twin sister and becoming the sole survivor of her immediate family. With honesty, warmth, and clarity, she explores the raw edges of grief and mourning, the unexpected weight of becoming the "memory keeper," and the resilience it takes to keep moving forward when the people who once defined her world are gone.

What does it feel like to lose a sibling-the one with whom you shared your childhood, your secrets, your history?

Every year, millions of adults lose a sibling-yet sibling grief is often called "the forgotten mourning," overlooked in a world that prioritizes other losses. This book shines a light on that hidden sorrow, giving it voice and validation.

How do you grieve when there's no one left who can say "I remember"?

And what happens when you become the last one left to carry your family's story?

Last One Standing is more than a warm and personal memoir-it's a companion for anyone navigating profound loss or for anyone who wants to understand and support a loved one going through grief and mourning. It also speaks to the last one left-the one who holds the memories, tells the stories, and keeps the flame of family history alive.

Inside you'll discover:

• • Facing grief with clarity - what grief is (and isn't), and why your feelings are normal, whatever they may be.
  • Practical resources for support - where to turn when you need or want guidance, connection, or help.
  • Healing rituals and self-care practices - gentle ways to create balance, care for yourself, and find comfort in daily life.
  • Gentle exercises and quiet reflections - prompts to help you understand your feelings, give them voice, and take steps toward healing.
  • Honoring and remembering - meaningful ways to preserve memories and carry your loved one forward.
  • Moving forward with intention - tools and suggestions to rebuild life with meaning, not by "moving on" but by moving forward.

✨ Part story, part guide, and part companion on this journey, Last One Standing reminds us that we are not alone-and that while loss may reshape us, it does not erase us. Let Last One Standing offer you comfort, recognition, support, and hope.

P. J. Johnson is a retired employment and civil rights attorney, former administrative law judge, and arbitrator. After decades in the legal field, she turned her focus to writing and publishing, still using her voice to inform and bring comfort to others navigating life's hardest passages. The author of Last One Standing, its companion Workbook and Journal, she is currently working on a forthcoming series celebrating African American women trailblazers and pioneers across various fields. P.J. intends to create more books that blend honesty and heart-works that help readers heal, reflect, and rediscover meaning. Her writings are designed to discover, inform, and enlighten-sharing stories that honor the past while inspiring the future.