Toward Peace: Prayers for the Widowed

The first part of the title, "Toward Peace", is not descriptive enough. I found this book before 1980 and have given it to many family members and friends. The short, practical suggestions are appropriate for the bereaved. I've seen books that were overwhelmingly long and too general. I regret the book was out of print for a long while but is now available as a standard book form with a binder (instead of the saddle stapled format). I recently gave a widowed friend a copy several months after her husband's demise. She was grateful to receive it, as she is very lonely. People seem to stay away after sending an overwhelming number of condolences within the first month. There is too much generalized blather and never the real help with ALL the many details of surviving. "Prayers" covers some mundane chores: disposal of clothing; insurance claims, etc.. It covers loneliness; coping with meaningful dates like anniversary dates; the first Thanksgiving and Christmas as a single person, etc..
The author, now deceased, wrote another excellent book that Franciscan press has back in print. "Toward acceptance" is for persons have a long term illness and/or disability. The author had multiple sclerosis when she was unexpectedly widowed. My friend is permanently crippled by her back condition.

Having lost my beloved husband, a friend gave me this book. Since then I have shared it with a few other people. Even after 9 years I fine myself looking at my copy of the book and find it healing. I am currently gives this to members of my parish who have lost their spouse. It is a very real book on the feeling one has after loosing your partner . It help me greatly that is why I wish to share it with other people who are experiencing a lost.

Most helpful resource I've found for myself and friends on becoming widowed.

Gave to a grieving friend prayers touched her heart