After Bonnie Merryfield's husband of forty-four years died, she channeled her grief by interviewing thirty-four widows, incorporating their stories and hers to write
So Now You're a Widow: Tips, Advice, and Stories from Widows to Widows
. The book's insights resonated with so many readers that she has followed it with
The Ultimate Widower's Guide: Advice from Men
.
Merryfield interviewed twenty-one men who had been widowed in their forties to eighties, whose relationships had extended from under one to over six decades, and who had been widowed for varying lengths of time. Their stories provide advice, empathy, and encouragement on twenty-four topics including: finding inner strength, grieving, possible changes in family dynamics, handling finances, and choosing how and when to move through loss.
The book contains brief backgrounds of the men interviewed, a checklist for notifications, changes, and cancellations, and a journal section relating to each chapter's topic.
The Ultimate Widower's Guide
easily adapts as a study guide for bereavement and grief support groups.