The Tender Scar: Life After the Death of a Spouse

Written by a former physician and recent widower, this warmly practical book guides the bereaved through the grief process and explains how to live after the death of a spouse.

Customer Reviews:

Exceptional

By Godwin G. Dixon - April 30, 2007

I so appreciated this book and found it to be very, very helpful and insightful. I have given it to several others who lost spouses and each has thanked me and gotten additional copies for their family. My f-law gave a copy to his daughter so she would understand what he was going through following the death of my m-law.

It is now part of the resource library for Faith Hospice in Dallas to help spouses who have lost loved ones. Good for surviving spouse AND those around them trying to help and understand their grief.

"Telling It Like It Is"

By Dan L. Griffin - July 31, 2006

Dr. Mabry waited long enough to gain some perspective before he took in hand to share the journey from grief to wholeness. He left enough bread crumbs of hope along that path to help any who come behind him in the numbness of sorrow and pain. His practical suggestions about what to do on special days shared with the lost loved one, the clothes that must be dealt with, and the way one can face the future without the guilt of being "unfaithful" the lost spouse will be of invaluable worth to all who walk alone for the first time. Any sufferer who struggles to regain one's balance will find "The Tender Scar" to speak with the authority of experience.

Practical, compassion-filled

By Jan Coleman - June 19, 2006

I met Richard at a writers' conference, and sat beside him for several days in a fiction workshop where we shared our love for writing and some of our painful backstories. (While we both love fiction and storytelling, God has us writing from our losses, at least for right now.)

When he asked me to look at an advance copy of this book, I said yes (when I usually hesitate because authors get so many requests) because of the depth and compassion I saw in him, as well as talent with words.

Though I've not experienced the same loss, I found this book a refreshing read, one I'll recommend. When it comes to grieving for a spouse, no healing journey is the same, but Richard offers illustrations from his own walk through grief and practical encouragement like changing your way of thinking. Especially about finding yourself single in a world made for couples. He talks about expanding your horizons, exploring your options, facing holidays and being open to a second... read more