Widows' Words

What do you say when you really don’t know what to say? Sometimes it’s better to say nothing at all. Your presence, your love and a hug are sometimes more than enough.

I received this book recently from my friend, Anne (who also happens to be the author). Following her husband’s death, she was often frustrated by the things people said and much of what she read in “grief” books. As a result, she asked several widows (myself included) to participate with her in sharing our experiences with others. As Anne says in her introduction, “In those first few weeks of barely being able to breathe, of grief that overwhelmed me, of new fears and uncertainty, I found a ray of hope in the words of other widows…I wanted to share my experience with other widows, to help them gain that sense of ‘you are not alone’ in those first few awful months or whenever they need encouragement. That is how Widows’ Words was born…I have taken ten statements that people often make to a widow and gathered different widows’ words and thoughts on each topic.”

Each chapter includes insights and experiences from Anne’s life, as well as from several other widows. She has included photographs and scripture throughout the book that also minister to the soul. This would have been a wonderful book to have had right after Alan died, but even now it comforts my heart in those lonely days that still come. If you are a recent widow, or know someone who is, or would even like to be prepared to comfort someone you know when the time comes (and it will come), I would highly recommend this book. To find more information, read excerpts or place an order, go to http://www.trafford.com/05-1102.