Long Island Woman Writes Children's Book In Beloved Brother's Memory

SMITHTOWN, NY — A Smithtown woman overcoming the tragic death of her brother wrote a children's book that has since won awards.

Renée Greene Murphy began the process of writing "Your Heart's Voice" in 2018, but life took over and she shelved her project. Then her brother, Robert Greene, 33, of South Setauket, died in a car crash in May 2022, devastating her and her family.

"I could go on and on about my beautiful brother," Greene Murphy told Patch. "He was so special to everyone he met. They say you don’t know how liked you are until your funeral, and well, he was beyond loved throughout his life, but his funeral confirmed that times-100."

More than 500 people paid their respects to Robert, his sister said.

"He was adored to say the least because he had a magnetic energy about him," she said. "A lightness. Pure joy. People visited him at work throughout the pandemic just to see him and chat."

Greene Murphy resumed "Your Heart's Voice" six months after Robert's death. She dedicated her book to him, adding him as a main character to the story.

The book is available for purchase on Greene Murphy's website, as well as on Amazon or Barnes and Noble. The e-book is available on iTunes and Google Play.

The story follows Jade, a girl who has always had a voice in her heart telling her the right thing to do, but it was up to her to listen to it. She finally realized once she did listen to it that she made good choices, which, in turn, made her feel good about herself.

Jade is based on the author's own childhood experience.

"I have always used my intuition to help guide me throughout life," she said. "From a very young age I remember hearing this whisper often telling me the right thing to do. I noticed when I listened to it, I made the right choice. As I listened more to it, it grew stronger and I relied on it more as a calm presence that I was in the right direction or making a good choice. As I got older I realized it was, in fact, my intuition that was guiding me."

While some would call that inner voice one's conscience or intuition, Greene Murphy wanted children to understand the concept. So she came up with "your heart's voice." She realized that intuition and how to use it was an underwritten topic in children's books.

While Greene Murphy's own whisper inspired Jade, the character is a combination of her three children.

She has long brown hair like her oldest, Avery, green/blue eyes like her middle child, Eden, and is wearing green throughout the story like Sage. Jade is 11 years old, which is an angel number, meaning "the angels are with you when you see this number," Greene Murphy explained. Jade is a green gem which means "the jewel of the heavens, the stone of the heart."

Jade acts like a typical child who forgets to puts things away, doesn't clean up after herself, or doesn’t particularly enjoy eating her vegetables. But when she realizes she has a whispering voice in her heart that reminds her and guides her to make the right choices, she realizes it's helpful to listen to it. When she does, it creates independence and boosts her self esteem, which the author said is her aim for this book for all people, children especially.

Jade draws an angel for her Uncle Robert in her book while listening to her heart's voice. Robert is the one who explains to her that it's, in fact, her intuition.

"My book is very personalized to my family in every possible way," Greene Murphy said. "It’s a memorial to [Robert], and another way we can honor and remember and share his legacy with the world. We miss him beyond words and are still in shock to be honest."

Robert was the youngest of the four children and named after Greene Murphy's father.

"You never expect this to happen, especially when you’re so close," she said. "We will never ever be the same. But my book gives us a little peace and a little joy as we share with the public. We are so proud of him and love him dearly."

Robert's photograph is on page two in her dedication.

After Robert died, Greene Murphy found writing "therapeutic," giving her an outlet she "so desperately needed."

"Living in the town that my brother passed away in was and is incredibly difficult. Everyone here seems to have known him, as he was extremely popular and well known for being a bright light in this community while he devoted 11 years to working here at an Italian restaurant."

He maintained the job while commuting to Miami Beach for two years to live and come back weekly to work at the restaurant, Greene Murphy said. He shot videos for his YouTube channel, Crazy Bartender, on his Miami Brickell balcony. The family uploaded all videos to his channel for the public to view. Robert created gourmet signature cocktails, including The Fortunate, a chocolate martini named after his Italian mother, or the Peach Cobbler.

"Your Heart's Voice" has already won multiple awards.

"My book is a great accomplishment," Greene Murphy said. "I’m proud I wrote it, and that I listened to my heart’s voice, which told me to do so. I’m happy to be recognized by both the Family Choice Awards 2023, 2024 and the Mom’s choice awards. I hope my book helps children, adults of any demographic or population around the world, as we are all given the gift of intuition and it's meant to be used wisely to help us throughout life. However, there is a part of me, that is also incredibly saddened, as I feel my book would not be what it is exactly, if my brother wasn’t gone. It’s a hard paradox that i struggle with. But I know my brother would want me to proudly share it with the world and that’s what I intend to do."

Greene Murphy said she will be at the Holiday Boutique at the Smithtown Nursery School in Mills Hall at St. James Church at 2 p.m. Sunday to sell her book. She will also be at the Smithtown Landing Country Club with Just Be Children's book club for their story time reading in January.