And Life Comes Back: A Wife's Story of Love, Loss, and Hope Reclaimed

by Tricia Lott Williford

“Now I know that every single day, the best and the worst, only lasts for twenty-four hours.”
—Tricia Lott Williford, And Life Comes Back
 
When your life falls apart—through a death, a lost relationship, a diagnosis—you want more than anything to know that your pain has a purpose. And that beyond your pain, a new day awaits.
 
Tricia Lott Williford discovered this in a few tragic hours when her thirty-five-year-old husband died unexpectedly. In And Life Comes Back, she writes with soaring prose about her tender, brave journey as a widow with two young boys in the agonizing days and months that followed his death.
 
And Life Comes Back documents the tenacity of love, the exquisite transience of each moment, and the laughter that comes even in loss. This traveler’s guide to finding new life after setbacks offers no easy answers or glib spiritual maxims but instead draws you into your own story and the hope that waits for you even now.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Christian Non Fiction, Faith, Grief, Biography, Christian

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Dana F · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the honor and privilege of reading this book before it's release. Put this on your To-Read list and pick-up your own copy on February 18th. You will NOT be disappointed.

Tricia Lott Williford uses her own heartbreaking story to witness to us all about God's healing grace. The book depicts her life with her loving husband and two small sons, chronicles his tragic death, and carries the reader to the depths of her ensuing depression. Through it all it is evident that Tricia was willing to trust in the Lord, place herself and her children in His care, make sense of their new life through scripture, and write it all down to share with her readers. This book is one woman's beautifully written testimony of her journey to deep sadness and back to hope for a new tomorrow.

[Laura Mcbride · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every moment I spent reading this book felt like sacred time. Tricia Lott Williford pens out the words of her story with a gentle voice that is also filled with the raw emotions wrapped up in loss and grief. Her talent and passion for writing offer God's mercy poured out through her as His lavish love and healing. Hope is found in walking through the darkest days, admitting doubt, raging against the pain, and yet continually seeking God’s grace in the midst of it all. Tricia’s story is told with honesty, sass, intentionality and an obvious longing to vulnerably share her journey so that others may find hope in theirs.

[Polly Lott · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say? My new all-time favorite nonfiction. :)

[Jan Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful love story that ended way too soon leaving the author spinning into a state of serious depression. But, she will show you how life does come back as this young author pens her words into a precious story as she and her two young sons move forward. You will be enthralled.

[Amy Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a poetic, raw encounter with death and the family it leaves behind. An absolute must read.

[Shannah Hogue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the book in a single day…quite a feat when you realize that I have four preschoolers and never get to read more than a few paragraphs, much less a whole book.

But this book is one of the few that must be read entirely. You must know the end. You have to see where the journey leads. It cannot be read in fits and starts. This journey is hard and long and God-filled. It will leave you sobbing for breath and will steal your breath away at the beauty of all that God is and how he stands guard over the brokenhearted.

The book is And Life Comes Back by Tricia Lott Williford.

It is the story of the sudden death of her young, healthy husband. It is the tale of her entrance into widowhood at age 31 and the journey she makes, with her two young sons, through the valley and towards what lies beyond it.

For the sake of full disclosure, you will not get through these pages without tears. Even if you are not, right now, in deep grief, you will mourn with her. Married readers will face their own fears as you sit beside her while her husband of ten years dies and then as she tries to find a new life without him. Parents will weep along with her as she must recount her husband's last moments to his two young sons and learn to parent all alone.

Williford's words are deep and raw. They call the reader to walk with her, to observe her grief, and to be better prepared for the moment when each of us must also start down a similar path. She does not offer answers or platitudes. She does not offer cliches and not all of what she has to say will sit easy with you. But they are true. And they are real.

And for someone who is walking a road of deep grief, Tricia Lott Williford's words may be just the ones to offer a life preserver. Because even as we walk the road of her loss, she does not wallow there. In every page, there is hope. In each chapter, there is God, showing up, giving generously, holding her family together when all darkness seems to be swallowing them up.

And Life Comes Back is not an easy read. It is deeply painful and full of grief. But it is whole and offers the promise of healing, healing that comes in part right now and healing that will only be complete on the other side of death's strange door. It is hard to read, but it is well worth the time to walk with Tricia on her journey of grief.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

[Brittany Daugherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will grip you at the start and it won't let you go until long after the last words. It will break your heart, make you laugh, and remind you that there is hope in moving forward in treacherous situations. A page turner.

[Amy Wiggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I lost my husband 15 months ago to cancer. As a young widow, my story does not connect with those around me. You can feel lost and lonely. I found deep connection with Tricia’s book. I felt seen through many shared experiences and feelings. I highly recommend to anyone who has lost someone close to them!

[Misty Nordyke · Rating 5 out of 5]

And Life Comes Back is a book written about Tricia's husband's unexpected death at the age of 35.
Now a widow and a mother of two little boys, she now has to struggle with life ahead.

Tricia,like anyone dealing with a death, when it feels as if your world has fallen apart wants to know if your pain has a purpose, if your faith matters, and after the hurt will a new day await?

In this book Tricia tells about her days after her husband's death and how she got through those agonizing times, through journaling, prayers, family, her two boys, and friends.
Most of all she knows that her husband would want his "Baby Girl" to heal and live.

While reading this book, I asked myself how would I grieve and could I go on if I lost my husband? My heart went out to her and her pain and loss.
She opened her heart to her readers and let them follow along with her through her struggles and healing. Most of all she lets her readers know that laughter and life can come after a loss.

** I received this complimentary book from Blogging For Books for my honest review and opinion. **

[Monet The Book Sniffing Unicorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

Compelling. Heart-wrenching. Inspirational. Endearing. Honest. Admirable.

Those are just some of the words that come to mind after finishing this remarkable true story.

I've never read a book that had me laughing at the beginning of the page, sharing the joy with Tricia and her sons as if I were part of the family, to sobbing and feeling real empathy for the great loss her family suffered at the end of the page.

As a Christian, this book really stood out as a challenge and example of unconditional Faith that I can relate to, as well as every other human. What to do when you lose something so important in your life. How does one simply move forward? Her raw emotion, honest take on life, and tenacious feelings takes readers on a journey they won't soon forget. This is a book that will touch peoples souls.

The writing was engaging and flawless, the author and her family so love-able, and the story unforgettable. I cherished every page of this book.

Easily 5/5 stars!

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was honored to be given an advanced copy of Tricia Lott Williford's And Life Comes Back. I have been a follower of Tricia's blog for several years. You can always count on Tricia for being honest, authentic, heart-felt, and God-centered.

Tricia's first book (hopefully of many) did not stray from these descriptions, and for this, I was thankful. Throughout the book, Tricia does a phenomenal job in describing her thoughts, emotions, and feelings. I felt like I was on her journey of life with her. There was laughter, sadness, and joy. Tricia shows that it's OK to have questions and ask "Why?", even as a Christian. It's OK to not have all the answers. It's OK to live day-by-day.

Tricia uses a tragedy to share God's faithfulness. I highly recommend this book. You will not regret picking it up. You may, however, have trouble putting it down.

[Maureen Alden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love Tricia's writing, her openness in sharing such difficult times, God as her source of strength, with honesty and humility and even humor.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up on clearance at Mardel's for $1. It's a very personal account written by a women who very suddenly lost her husband. He died within a day of getting sick with the flu. He had his spleen removed as a child due to a sledding accident. Having no spleen caused his body to become unable to fight off infection due to the flu and he became septic and died suddenly at home. This book walks you through Tricia's feelings, thoughts and experiences before, during and after his death. Some very raw, real insight into the heart of a grieving young mother and widow. It's amazing to see the wisdom and strength of her reactions and emotions, especially how she was supported by her Tuesdays group of friends that met on Wednesdays and how she carried on mothering, guiding, nurturing and helping her sons deal with their own loss and feelings of grief and their questions about their dad. Since I own this book, I turned down many pages to signal there is something I want to re-read and remember on those pages. I pray that this will help me to be more empathetic to those that I meet that are also grieving the death of a loved one.

[Andrea Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book God knew I needed to read

My daughter in law lost her baby during delivery two weeks ago. How could this happen? A perfect little girl -the first one after all boys.. my first granddaughter. Her light never got to shine. She never got a dash only one date. Now I am watching my son and his wife grieve as I am grieving.. How do they get through this? How can I help them? Help me understand how, Thank you Tricia for bravely sharing your journey. You made it through- my prayer is we will too.

[Bronwyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The subject of this book is healing from the sadness that comes with grief and loss. Even so, it's an uplifting story written with beautiful descriptions of the beauty that remains in the author's life. I especially enjoyed reading about the adorable young sons, Tucker and Tyler, and how they coped with their loss and how they helped their mom (the author) live with joy again. This book is good for the heart, wherever anyone is in their life's journey.

[Tonyia Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing how she was able to remember such detail of this tragic loss.

[Austina Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for writing, Tricia.

[Mindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Raw and real, this memoir allows you to step inside grief and have a front row seat to the healing process.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could have easily cried reading this, but I was reading it at work, so had to fight it.

[Sharla Bakker · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite non-fiction read.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an inspiring story. An amazing author.

[Maddie Borowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow, just wow. never read strength this powerful

[Gloria E Meunier · Rating 4 out of 5]

I so appreciate the kind advice as given through the author's support group.

[Beth Strand · Rating 5 out of 5]

“And Life Comes Back” Shares a Young Widow’s Journey with Touching Honesty
Tricia Lott Williford was living her life. Mother of two, wife of a husband she loved, writer and editor. Living with all the normal ups and downs until a night just before Christmas which would plunge her into a journey she never wanted to take…the walk through widowhood. What’s unusual and touching about this memoir is the stunning level of honesty Tricia shares. She doesn’t hold back on the grief, the anger, the sense of betrayal. She doesn’t portray Christian grief as a placid acceptance of God’s will. She takes off the mask for us and gives us an honest portrait of what it is like to lose the life you loved and find yourself walking through parenting alone. Tricia doesn’t wallow, just presents an honest portrait of grief. In doing so, her writing allows the reader to enter into not just the grief but the healing. By the time you finish this book, you’ll find yourself with a renewed sense of hope and purpose. Her words are simple yet powerful, faithful even as she shares her fears and doubts, and honest. No matter what loss you are walking through, “And Life Comes Back” will be a comfort. Just as Tricia found her way back from loss, so will you. If you aren’t in a season of loss, this is a great book about what that season can look like for someone else and help you be better prepared to help a friend in their time of grief.
I give “And Life Comes Back” my highest recommendation. This would also make a great book club or reading group book.
This book was provided for me for this review by the publisher. The opinions, however, are entirely my own!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in 2 sittings, and yes I cried. I loved how honest she was in telling her story. I enjoyed her writing style. Her story is amazing and heartbreaking at the same time. Her faithfulness in the midst of tragedy was unbelievable.

That being said, I was expecting more anger at God- if I were in this situation I would have some! She seemed to go from the initial shock of her husband's death, and yes there was grieving, but she didn't seem to question or blame God. She seemed to immediately cling to Him and never contemplated turning away from her faith. Maybe she is just more steadfast than I would be. Also, it didn't really explain her young boys' initial reaction- how do you tell your children that their daddy is dead, and how can they understand this? I know they seemed to process it more as they got older, but I was just wondering about that.

That being said, I would recommend this book and plan to pass this along to a woman I know who also lost her husband suddenly.


I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review. http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/bloggi...

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[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Filled with raw emotions and tear jerking moments this book is a wonderfully sad and yet a beautiful read. Tricia lost her husband unexpectedly at the age of 35, nothing could have prepared her for the ache that came from his passing away and in this book she shares her raw emotions and honest thoughts with the readers giving them a small glimpse of the grief she went through and the daily struggle of trying to pick the pieces back up. Even being a Christian did not stop Tricia from asking why her, but she learned that God was faithful and was with her every step of the way.

I highly recommend this read,I cannot even imagine the grief there would be in the loss of a spouse, but for anyone who has lost someone this would be a great reminder that they are not alone.

I received a copy of this in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Mary Kenyon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't read this book in a public place, like I did. I am sure other library patrons wondered at my tears. Tricia is a beautiful writer. As a fellow widow I can identify with so much of her story. But you don't need to be mourning someone to be drawn into Tricia's story. This is a painfully honest portrayal of loss, hope, and renewal that won't disappoint. I've read a lot of "widow" books in the two years since my husband's death and have been sorely disappointed by some of the author's lifestyle choices after loss. Tricia, your husband would be proud of how you have handled yourself. I believe he is smiling down on you today.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the moment you start to read, "And Life Comes Back", you feel the everyday real life, the love, the heartache that Tricia has gone through, the daily hardships of being on your own with people depending on you. In the way she has documented her days, feelings, the day to day trials and and the strength in God. My heart ached and smiled through out her story of her life at point in time. I would recommend it to anyone, gives an insight of how one feels and deals with tragedy. Thank you Tricia for sharing this monumental moment in your life.

[Francie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've met the author. I've heard her speak at our church quite a few times. I've been captivated by her story from the first time I learned of it. So young to have lost her husband in her arms 2 days before Christmas with 2 small boys down the hall. Tricia's story of grief and her continuing road on recovery is real and she speaks of it so beautifully. My favorite character was Stan. He spoke bold truth into her heart. Words that we should remember to say to grieving friends instead of fluff. It is ok to be sad, and it is ok recover your own way in your own time.

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you need a break from ficiton (however beloved it is) this is the book to read. Because every line of it is true. True in both the factual sense, and true in that it will resonate with you if you have ever suffered loss, known deep sorrow, or have walked through a valley so dark you didn't (or don't) know if you'd see the other side. This girl lets people IN. Take the journey. Even if you're in your own hellish dark, borrow her flashlight for a few hours and see where it goes.