During an evening TV news broadcast this past winter, I watched a story about a man whose wife had just been killed. What inspirited me to write this book was this statement: "Everything I go through now, I'll have to go through without my wife" (paraphrased). I didn't even know the man personally, but I had the overwhelming desire to reach out an empathetic hand to him and reassure him he'd make it. The result was an elaborate "you can do it" letter. The major challenges and opportunities are examined through 13 chapters: The sudden absence of Mom, the responsibilities of Dad, remembering Mom, long-term effects of discipline, strong communications skills, support from friends and family, time management, lasting work ethic, spiritual grounding in the home and community, putting sex in its place, the need for Dads to continue living, how the first 11 chapters equip you for tragedy, and hope of the future. While not a textbook or manual, the chapters are laid out with a common foundation, anecdotes, spirituality and poetry. Experiences that have caused tears of laughter and heartbreak, quotes from the best source available, the Bible, and poetry that expresses the thoughts of the current subject.
