I am a Mama, a Nana, a retired midwife, poet, and writer who finds solace in thought-provoking prose. Writing became my refuge during a time of immense grief after losing the love of my life. Although I never planned to write a book, the encouragement from friends and the realization of a unique perspective inspired me to share my journey.

In my quest to find relatable stories of grief, I couldn't find a book that followed someone's grief journey in "real time" from the very moment their loved one passed away. Determined to fill this void, I decided to split my book into two parts. The first year recounts the raw and painful emotions, the dark thoughts, and the physical agony as I grappled with the reality of his absence. Intertwined are poignant and humorous anecdotes from our life together, raising a family when we were young ourselves.

Being a midwife, I draw parallels between grief and birth, two sacred moments representing immense joy and immeasurable pain. It struck me that society openly discusses birth, but we tend to keep death and grief shrouded in silence, leaving many to suffer alone. As I share my unfiltered grief journey, I offer a glimmer of hope to others experiencing loss, navigating a culture unsure of how to respond.

Throughout the memoir, I blend humorous and poignant memories, allowing readers to join me on my healing journey as it unfolds in real time. The support from strangers contrasts the abandonment I felt from some friends who struggled to handle my prolonged grief. But my children became my anchors, and their love helped me find my way back into the light.

As you read this book, you'll come to know the key figures who played a crucial role in my healing process, as well as the moments of love, life, and loss we shared as the Curtis Clan. While I cherish time spent with my family in Texas, writing this memoir has been an essential part of my healing journey. I'm forever grateful to those who stood by me, and I hope that sharing my story will resonate with others on their own paths of grief and healing.

Darlene Curtis