Skip to main content
Customer Review
Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2024
It’s important to know you don’t have to be young or hot for this book to be invaluable.
I ordered this because I’m a widow and it was recommended. I ordered more for all of my girlfriends who are not widows. It is a short read with value on every page. It gives non widows information about how to help, what to say and what not to say or do. So helpful any time someone you care about is going through grief.
Unlike so many books about grief and widowhood, this one doesn’t feel too heavy, but addresses heavy topics none the less. It is her writing style that makes the impossibly difficult topic approachable.
For this of us who are widows, the advice and insight I found the most helpful (and wish I’d read years ago when I was a new widow) was about responses to people while you are in the throes of grief. As someone whose momma always made sure we knew the value of a thank you note, I struggled with all the ones I SHOULD have written. The guilt ate me up. I even had one person ask if I’d written thank you notes to those who donated to the scholarship fund that was set up in my husband’s name. I felt shame at having to say “no”. Nora helps to alleviate that kind of guilt and shame. Not that years of programming will suddenly disappear, but you’ll certainly understand why you can’t bring yourself to pull out a notecard and pen to offer your appreciation. Hopefully you will see the need to give yourself grace, as she suggests.
Because it is a short read, I feel like it might be something a new widow can digest, even if in small chunks. I will add this to any card, care package or food delivery for new widows. Her words will have the power to make someone experiencing the loss of their spouse not feel alone, crazy or like they’re doing it wrong.
I ordered this because I’m a widow and it was recommended. I ordered more for all of my girlfriends who are not widows. It is a short read with value on every page. It gives non widows information about how to help, what to say and what not to say or do. So helpful any time someone you care about is going through grief.
Unlike so many books about grief and widowhood, this one doesn’t feel too heavy, but addresses heavy topics none the less. It is her writing style that makes the impossibly difficult topic approachable.
For this of us who are widows, the advice and insight I found the most helpful (and wish I’d read years ago when I was a new widow) was about responses to people while you are in the throes of grief. As someone whose momma always made sure we knew the value of a thank you note, I struggled with all the ones I SHOULD have written. The guilt ate me up. I even had one person ask if I’d written thank you notes to those who donated to the scholarship fund that was set up in my husband’s name. I felt shame at having to say “no”. Nora helps to alleviate that kind of guilt and shame. Not that years of programming will suddenly disappear, but you’ll certainly understand why you can’t bring yourself to pull out a notecard and pen to offer your appreciation. Hopefully you will see the need to give yourself grace, as she suggests.
Because it is a short read, I feel like it might be something a new widow can digest, even if in small chunks. I will add this to any card, care package or food delivery for new widows. Her words will have the power to make someone experiencing the loss of their spouse not feel alone, crazy or like they’re doing it wrong.
