"A very valuable and practical guide for any woman who has lost her husband due to an untimely death. Kristin Meekhof's journey is both inspiring and courageous and something we can all learn from." —Dr. Deepak Chopra An inspiring, accessible, and empowering guide for how to navigate the unique stresses and challenges of widowhood and create a hopeful future. When Kristin Meekhof lost her husband to cancer, she discovered what all widows learn: the moment you lose your partner, you must make crucial decisions that will impact the rest of your life. But where do you begin? This inspiring book shows grieving widows what to expect and how to deal with the challenges of losing a life partner. From immediate issues like finances, estates and medical bills to long-term hurdles such as single parenthood, being a widow in the workplace and navigating social situations by yourself, this book guides widows through the tumultuous and painful first five years to a more hopeful future.

Sixteen women from all walks of life share their stories of widowhood in this “wonderful collection of ‘life after loss’ experiences” (Natalie Treadwell, founder of Food for Life). When author and life coach Mary Francis found herself widowed at fifty, she turned to other widows for support, understanding, and answers. Now she shares some of the stories that helped her find a new beginning for herself in The Sisterhood of Widows. This powerful book of healing contains sixteen true stories from women who reflect on their lives after the death of their husbands. These women, whose husbands died from accidents, cancer, heart attacks, and even suicide, share their stories openly and honestly. Every widow handles loss differently, yet there is a common bond they share that makes them part of a sisterhood. And each widow’s story provides guidance and insight into the journey of perseverance through grief.

A comprehensive, sensitive guide for dealing with the emotional and practical issues of the first two years of widowhood.

Helping widows and widowers learn how to cope with the grief of losing their helpmate, their lover, and perhaps their financial provider, this guide shows them how to find continued meaning in life when doing so seems difficult. Bereaved spouses will find advice on when and how to dispose of their mate's belongings, dealing with their children, and redefining their role with friends and family. Suggestions are provided for elderly mourners, young widows and widowers, unmarried lovers, and same-sex partners. The information and comfort offered apply to individuals whose spouse died recently or long ago.

“Healthy Healing will not only guide you through your grief—it will literally save your life. It is about time we have a book that doesn’t leave the body behind after loss.” — Christina Rasmussen, author of Second Firsts: Live, Laugh and Love Again “I have never seen the road to ‘everything is going to be okay’ more clearly than in the pages of this book. It’s not just a call to action. It’s a call to life. Steinke takes your hand from page one and doesn’t let it go.” — Laura Munson, New York Times bestselling author of This Is Not the Story You Think It Is and founder of Haven Writing Retreats “Healthy Healing gives life to the notion that there can be beauty in the places that feel broken...get moving to a healthier life of hope and healing...become a living legacy in a way that really honors our loved ones.” — Bonnie Carroll, President and Founder of Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors and 2015 Recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom “Michelle is a living example of her wise guidance on the power of endorphins and exercise to heal and empower your journey. May it propel you on your walk into a bright, renewed future full of unlimited possibility. Life changing from the inside out!” — Carolyn Moor, Founding Director at Modern Widows Club “If you are even remotely considering changing your lifestyle, and/or are struggling with grief, pick up this book. Not only will your body thank you, but in times of loss, your heart and soul will thank you.” — Girl Well Read “Practical, relatable, and life-affirming, Healthy Healing is a valuable resource for any grieving person. Michelle has not only found her own path through unthinkable tragedy, but she has created a roadmap for people facing any of life’s challenges.” — Michele Neff Hernandez, Founder and Executive Director, Soaring Spirits International

A practical and emotional guide for the young widow

With her signature warmth, hilarity, and tendency to overshare, Leslie Gray Streeter gives us real talk about love, loss, grief, and healing in your own way that "will make you laugh and cry, sometimes on the same page" (James Patterson). Leslie Gray Streeter is not cut out for widowhood. She's not ready for hushed rooms and pitying looks. She is not ready to stand graveside, dabbing her eyes in a classy black hat. If she had her way she'd wear her favorite curve-hugging leopard print dress to Scott's funeral; he loved her in that dress! But, here she is, having lost her soulmate to a sudden heart attack, totally unsure of how to navigate her new widow lifestyle. ("New widow lifestyle." Sounds like something you'd find products for on daytime TV, like comfy track suits and compression socks. Wait, is a widow even allowed to make jokes?) Looking at widowhood through the prism of race, mixed marriage, and aging, Black Widow redefines the stages of grief, from coffin shopping to day-drinking, to being a grown-ass woman crying for your mommy, to breaking up and making up with God, to facing the fact that life goes on even after the death of the person you were supposed to live it with. While she stumbles toward an uncertain future as a single mother raising a baby with her own widowed mother (plot twist!), Leslie looks back on her love story with Scott, recounting their journey through racism, religious differences, and persistent confusion about what kugel is. Will she find the strength to finish the most important thing that she and Scott started? Tender, true, and endearingly hilarious, Black Widow is a story about the power of love, and how the only guide book for recovery is the one you write yourself.