Table of Contents
Praise for Happily Even After
What a comfort to know that while no one wants to need it, there is a book that will help widows in a unique, compassionate, and contemporary way. Encouraging a smile while tackling tough subjects and providing necessary support and education, this book will be invaluable to those so badly in need.
Lee Woodruff,
contributor to CBS This Morning and New York Times
bestselling author of In an Instant and Perfectly Imperfect
Learning to live happily after the experience of devastating loss is among the most important lessons that can ever be taught. Carole Brody Fleet not only teaches this lesson, she dares to answer the questions that many are afraid to ask, wrapped in warmth and hope for a brighter future.
Marci Shimoff,
New York Times bestselling co-author of Chicken Soup for the Womans Soul
and author of Love for No Reason; featured teacher in The Secret; host of
Happy for No Reason (PBS)
Yes, even after the loss of a beloved, when all seems bleak and hopeless, it is possible to find your way out of despair. Filled with compassionate understanding, practical guidance, and honest reassurance that a meaningful life awaits, Happily Even After is a worthy companion for your journey.
Judy Ford,
author of Every Day Love: The Delicate Art of Caring for Each Other
Chock-full of personal questions and powerful answers, Happily Even After is full of compassionate and heart-healing advice. With a wisdom garnered from experience, Carole Brody Fleets comforting, hand-held approach will help you move through the anguish of being half and into the life-inspiring solace of feeling whole again.
Lori Bryant-Woolridge,
author of The Power of WOW: A Guide to Unleashing the Confident, Sexy You
Not just another grief book. I like this because it has spunk and because it is practical and not preachy. Carole Brody Fleets lists of things that can wait for a while and of things that cant wait can be put to immediate use, for example. Her suggestions for establishing a routine are healthy. And since emotions do not go away, it is important not to skip any steps in healing. I also like the authors assurances that everyone is unique, that you are in charge, and that if you cant find it, then create it. Caroles idea about celebrating Valentines Day anyway shows the sort of creativity that she encourages. Happily Even After offers a strong list of referrals and itself is a powerful guide to navigating a tough course. Carole has written what I consider the widows bible. She shows us the way to good grief, and I will be recommending this book for years to come.
Linda Hawes Clever, MD,
author of The Fatigue Prescription
Its all in herethe emotions, the financial details, the scream you want to scream, and the hand you want to holdall served up with the kindness and humor that can make a gal feel a lot less alone.
Lenore Skenazy,
syndicated columnist and author of Free-Range Kids
The author of Widows Wear Stilettos has done it again! Happily Even After fills a critical gap that aims to support the widowed mother, thereby supporting her children. By speaking honestly and from experience, Carole Brody Fleet conveys her respect and understanding of the uncharted territory of widowhood. This book is a beacon of hope in a sea of darkness. A true survivors survival guide.
Jill Starishevsky,
author of My Body Belongs to Me and co-author of A Tiny Step Forward:
Providing Children a Positive Way to Cope with Grief
Bravo to Carole Brody Fleet! As a young widow with five children, I feel connected to Happily Even After. Each chapter gives voice to the different scenarios that a widow encounters. This book is a heartfelt and concrete road map that can guide widows through an emotionally challenging and chaotic time.
Charlene Khaghan,
co-author of A Tiny Step Forward: Providing Children
a Positive Way to Cope with Grief
authors note
All suggestions regarding medical, financial, and legal subject matter are based upon the information, belief, and personal opinions of Carole Brody Fleet and Widows Wear Stilettos, Inc. only and should not be construed as directed advice. The ideas, suggestions, and procedures contained in this book are not intended as a substitute for expert assistance. Any application of the recommendations set forth in this book is at the readers discretion and sole risk.
The questions contained in the book are excerpted in part or in sum from actual letters and/or message board postings written to the author at and through www.widowswearstilettos.com. All clearly distinguishing or identifying factors have been eliminated to protect the privacy of those who submitted the correspondence contained herein. Correspondence has been edited in the interest of space. Bracketed additions to questions have been made for the sole purposes of privacy protection, continuity, grammar, and/or subject matter clarification.
All letters and postings contained herein are the exclusive property of the author and Widows Wear Stilettos, Inc. and are subject to all copyright protections therein. The answers to the questions contained herein are the actual answers to the questions asked and are authored entirely by Carole Brody Fleet. Answers may be augmented for the purposes of continuity, elaboration and references to other areas of the book, or to other reference sources and materials.
dedication
This book is lovingly dedicated to:
All of the courageous widows, widowers, and their loved ones, whose letters
and postings comprise this book and who so willingly shared their thoughts,
trials, and experiences. Though you may not realize it, you are helping countless
people in their grief recovery and I salute your spirit, your generosity, and your
selflessness in giving of yourselves.
My mother, Eilene,
who believed that Widows Wear Stilettos was possible;
my incredible daughters, Kendall Leah and Michelle Louise,
who made my dreams believable;
and to my husband, Dave Stansbury,
who helped those dreams become do-able.
Thank you all for putting up with ridiculous schedules, more cold leftovers than
hot meals; and for celebrating the triumphs, helping me through the challenges,
being my sparkle, and for simply loving me.
The four of you are my heroes and I love you all so much.
My father, Elvin Clink Clinkenbeard, of blessed memory.
February 2, 1923May 23, 2001
Daddy, time tempers the rawness of pain, but never the missing of your presence
with us, or the hole in our hearts left by your absence. I miss you and I love you.
And, as always, to the late Michael Alan Fleet, Sr., of blessed memory.
July 21, 1945December 19, 2000
May our work and our continued mission always be to your honor, your legacy,
and to the fulfillment of your final wishes that our journey and experience
together as a family would serve to help others in need. With my love forever.
foreword