Editorial Reviews from Amazon.com
Book Description
A true story of a young widow's account of survival after her husband is killed in a major airplane crash.
A lifesaver!,
Reviewer: Kimberly Fisher from San Diego, CA
When my husband passed away I thought I would never be able to go on. I wish this book existed 3 years ago. It would have been so helpful. I found myself captivated with the words in this book and through my own tears, I found purpose.
This book gave me a sense that it was OK that I miss my husband so much and it also gave me the courage to go on with my own life. Thank you for writing this book. The only fault I found in it was that it didn't exist 3 years ago. I think this would have helped me to see that my life did not end with my husband's
Above all-Remember-LIFE IS GOOD
Reviewer: A reader from Toms River, NJ
On August 9, 2000, my husband was tragically killed in a mid air collision over northern Burlington County in New Jersey. He was on a routine business trip with 6 others plus the 2 pilots. The small plane he was in collided mid air with another small plane carrying a student pilot and his instructor. For ten and a half months I searched the bookstores looking for something to validate my feelings and help me to understand that I was not going crazy. Then a friend sent me this book and as I read it I felt that I was reading my own story. I identified with all of the feelings of the author--the shock, the sweet numbness that didn't last long enough, the fear, the anger, the despair, the confusion, and the loneliness. Reading this book not only validated my feelings but also gave me hope. One of the lines states that when they said there were no survivors they were wrong. We are the survivors. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has lost a love one suddenly or tragically. In fact it would be helpful to anyone who has experienced any loss of a loved one--anyone who is desperately trying to pick up the pieces and continue to live. The book gives us hope and reminds us that LIFE IS GOOD. It tells us that the most respect we can give the memory of our loved one is to know that because of their love, their strength will carry us through. As a Hospice nurse for many years I thought I knew all there was about death dying and grieving. How wrong I was. If you are struggling with the loss of someone you loved more than life, you MUST read this book. In fact I would say it is IMPERATIVE that you read this book. My thanks to this author who has helped me more than words can say.
Finally, a book to help me heal.
Reviewer: Lori Ortiz-Murdoch from Rio Rancho, NM United States
Joanne has written a book that every widow needs to read. I have searched for this type of book ever since I became tragically widowed on May 8, 2000.
This book will help any widow with all of their feelings. Knowing we are not alone in the pain and thoughts we endure is a critical part of healing. This book will take you from the moment Joanne found out her husband had been tragically killed in a plane crash to the day she realized she can go on and be happy again. This process is different, yet the same for every widow, especially those who have lost their spouse without warning.
Reading about her feelings and pain from the first night and how she could not cry when she initially found out were so familiar to me. (The tears came quickly as we all know) She then goes on through each emotion she endured for her and her two teenage children.
Until I read Joanne's book, I was not sure I would be okay. Now I know I will and I can be happy again. I also know that I am not crazy for the different emotions I have felt. Like the times I have just wanted to end my life thinking the pain was to great. Joanne shares her every thought without holding back. This is what all widows needed to hear from another widow. I was able to connect with everything she wrote. This book captivated me. I read it in one setting and am getting ready to read it again.
My only regret is that this book was not published earlier. If you have become a "Widow without Warning" or know someone who has, PLEASE take the time to read this book. I would have paid thousands of dollars for this.
Full of Inspiration!
Reviewer: A reader from Pittsburgh, PA United States
I found Mrs Shortley-Lalonde's book about her journey through widowhood to be sad, yet inspirational! Never did I expect to close a book about losing a loved one in such a tragic way with a smile!
This book is wonderfully written, easy to follow, and Joanne Shortley-Lalonde knows how to pull the reader in and keep him/her interested in her story.
This book is a must have for those who have lost a loved one and are looking for validation and some light at the end of the tunnel. It is also a must have for those who take their loved ones for granted.
I read this book cover to cover in one sitting and have recommended it to everyone I know. Wonderful job writing!
Book Description
A true story of a young widow's account of survival after her husband is killed in a major airplane crash.
A lifesaver!,
Reviewer: Kimberly Fisher from San Diego, CA
When my husband passed away I thought I would never be able to go on. I wish this book existed 3 years ago. It would have been so helpful. I found myself captivated with the words in this book and through my own tears, I found purpose.
This book gave me a sense that it was OK that I miss my husband so much and it also gave me the courage to go on with my own life. Thank you for writing this book. The only fault I found in it was that it didn't exist 3 years ago. I think this would have helped me to see that my life did not end with my husband's
Above all-Remember-LIFE IS GOOD
Reviewer: A reader from Toms River, NJ
On August 9, 2000, my husband was tragically killed in a mid air collision over northern Burlington County in New Jersey. He was on a routine business trip with 6 others plus the 2 pilots. The small plane he was in collided mid air with another small plane carrying a student pilot and his instructor. For ten and a half months I searched the bookstores looking for something to validate my feelings and help me to understand that I was not going crazy. Then a friend sent me this book and as I read it I felt that I was reading my own story. I identified with all of the feelings of the author--the shock, the sweet numbness that didn't last long enough, the fear, the anger, the despair, the confusion, and the loneliness. Reading this book not only validated my feelings but also gave me hope. One of the lines states that when they said there were no survivors they were wrong. We are the survivors. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has lost a love one suddenly or tragically. In fact it would be helpful to anyone who has experienced any loss of a loved one--anyone who is desperately trying to pick up the pieces and continue to live. The book gives us hope and reminds us that LIFE IS GOOD. It tells us that the most respect we can give the memory of our loved one is to know that because of their love, their strength will carry us through. As a Hospice nurse for many years I thought I knew all there was about death dying and grieving. How wrong I was. If you are struggling with the loss of someone you loved more than life, you MUST read this book. In fact I would say it is IMPERATIVE that you read this book. My thanks to this author who has helped me more than words can say.
Finally, a book to help me heal.
Reviewer: Lori Ortiz-Murdoch from Rio Rancho, NM United States
Joanne has written a book that every widow needs to read. I have searched for this type of book ever since I became tragically widowed on May 8, 2000.
This book will help any widow with all of their feelings. Knowing we are not alone in the pain and thoughts we endure is a critical part of healing. This book will take you from the moment Joanne found out her husband had been tragically killed in a plane crash to the day she realized she can go on and be happy again. This process is different, yet the same for every widow, especially those who have lost their spouse without warning.
Reading about her feelings and pain from the first night and how she could not cry when she initially found out were so familiar to me. (The tears came quickly as we all know) She then goes on through each emotion she endured for her and her two teenage children.
Until I read Joanne's book, I was not sure I would be okay. Now I know I will and I can be happy again. I also know that I am not crazy for the different emotions I have felt. Like the times I have just wanted to end my life thinking the pain was to great. Joanne shares her every thought without holding back. This is what all widows needed to hear from another widow. I was able to connect with everything she wrote. This book captivated me. I read it in one setting and am getting ready to read it again.
My only regret is that this book was not published earlier. If you have become a "Widow without Warning" or know someone who has, PLEASE take the time to read this book. I would have paid thousands of dollars for this.
Full of Inspiration!
Reviewer: A reader from Pittsburgh, PA United States
I found Mrs Shortley-Lalonde's book about her journey through widowhood to be sad, yet inspirational! Never did I expect to close a book about losing a loved one in such a tragic way with a smile!
This book is wonderfully written, easy to follow, and Joanne Shortley-Lalonde knows how to pull the reader in and keep him/her interested in her story.
This book is a must have for those who have lost a loved one and are looking for validation and some light at the end of the tunnel. It is also a must have for those who take their loved ones for granted.
I read this book cover to cover in one sitting and have recommended it to everyone I know. Wonderful job writing!