In this honest and touching book about her first year of widowhood, author Susan Beer explores the moments of heartache, fear, anger, grief, and, later, awareness and courage that she experienced after her husband's sudden passing.
Each insightful essay in Move on Without Me captures Susan's emotional exploration and addresses the power and strength of a woman to move forward during a time of enormous life change. She discusses such topics as the importance of expressing gratitude, managing friendships and handling regret.
With sensitivity, Susan raises questions that many women have been asking for years such as, what does it mean to be a "widow?" How do I come to terms with the past, the present, and the future?
Move on Without Me is a refreshing, inspiring book that offers hope and encourages the reader to find her own answers. It is a welcome companion for any widow seeking to embrace life again, and it is also a helpful guide for anyone who is divorced, separated, or trying to come to terms with the loss of a partner.
Message from Andrew, My Husband xv
Acknowledgments xvii
Author's Note xxi
Preface-Balbir Mathur xxiii
This was Him: Andrew, My Husband xxvii
The Beginning & the End
Move on Without Me 3
The Stage
Chapter 1 The Worst Day of My Life 7
Winter
Chapter 2 Winter's Reality 11
Chapter 3 Decisions
The Most Difficult One 13
Chapter 4 One Step After Another
Decisions! Decisions! 15
Chapter 5 Assaulted by Thoughts & No Sleep
My Writing Begins 17
Chapter 6 His Journey Ends
Celebrating Him 19
Chapter 7 Grieving
The Truth is, I Never Left You 21
Chapter 8 My Journey Begins
Mine Alone 23
Chapter 9 I am a Widow
No More Pillow Talk 25
Chapter 10 Widow-Hood
Pray, not Prey ... Why a Hood 27
Chapter 11 He is Here ... Guarding & Guiding Me
My Guardian Angel 29
Chapter 12 I Knew I was on the Right Track
My Desk Fit to a "T" 31
Chapter 13 His Estate
Patience & Time 33
Chapter 14 The Final Straw
Star Passed, Too! 35
Chapter 15 My Reality 37
Spring
Chapter 16 Spring's Awakening 41
Chapter 17 Walking My Line
One Step after Another 43
Chapter 18 Mount Vesuvius Erupts
Dump Day 45
Chapter 19 Surfacing, Taking a Deep Breath
Digesting & Forgiving 47
Chapter 20 Hatching
Get Up! Get Dressed! Get Out! 49
Chapter 21 Forget Him? Never!
But, What about Me? 51
Chapter 22 True Friends
The Gifts of Grace & Makeup 53
Chapter 23 Don't Judge Me, Please
My Cartier Watch, His Gift to Me 55
Chapter 24 Sticks & Stones
The Impact of Words 57
Chapter 25 Friendship, Now ...
Who's a Keeper? 59
Chapter 26 Tomorrow ... is Just a Day Away
The Sun will Come Out 63
Summer
Chapter 27 Summer's Warmth 67
Chapter 28 Take-off
Ducks are Lining Up 69
Chapter 29 Keep on Writing
Three Simple Words 73
Chapter 30 Lonely versus Alone
There is a Difference 75
Chapter 31 Needy is Normal
Crazed No More 77
Chapter 32 TNT, The Power of a Woman
Turtles & Tigers 79
Chapter 33 My First Date
Nothing Made it Easier 81
Chapter 34 Dating
Available Men Only, Please 83
Chapter 35 There is Nothing Like a Smile
Tall & Handsome on 74th Street 85
Chapter 36 Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow
En Route 87
Chapter 37 Guidance-That Little Extra Push
The Power of Being Positive 89
Chapter 38 Leaping Gracefully On
Finding My Way 91
Autumn
Chapter 39 Autumn 95
Chapter 40 I Am
Joy-My Middle Name 97
Chapter 41 Regrets
Yes! I am Human 99
Chapter 42 Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda
Promises! Promises! 101
Chapter 43 Holidays, Like Memories, Continue On
Christmas Now 103
Chapter 44 Gratitude & Growth
...with Abundant Hope for the Future 105
Chapter 45 411 Information, Please
In Your Heart 109
Chapter 46 Forever in My Heart
Never Forgotten 111
Chapter 47 Moving On...I Have No Choice!
Everything Ventured, Everything Gained 113
Chapter 48 Year's End
I am Moving On 115
Chapter 49 I am Single, My Husband has Passed
The Fit is Right 117
Chapter 50 My Year of Reflection 119
The Closing
You Can Deal with Loss, Too!
Yes, You can! 123
This is Me, Now! 127
Overview
In this honest and touching book about her first year of widowhood, author Susan Beer explores the moments of heartache, fear, anger, grief, and, later, awareness and courage that she experienced after her husband's sudden passing.
Each insightful essay in Move on Without Me captures Susan's emotional exploration and addresses the power and strength of a woman to move forward during a time of enormous life change. She discusses such topics as ...