Heartbroken: Healing from the Loss of a Spouse

by Gary Roe

He was your love. She was your partner. Now your heart is broken.

What do you do with all the pain, confusion, and anger? What will life be like? Who are you now?

Your heart needs answers. Heartbroken can help.
Bestselling author, hospice chaplain and grief specialist Gary Roe has walked with hundreds of spouses through this painful valley. From their stories he has composed this incredibly practical work that will touch your heart and comfort your soul.

In this deeply personal, easy-to-read book, you will learn the following:
- How to better manage the up and down, roller-coaster emotions of grief.
- How to manage being misunderstood and navigate all the relationship changes that occur with the loss of a mate.
- How to think about and face the future with hope.

As you read, you will discover that you are far from alone, you’re not crazy, and that you will make it through this.

The loss of a husband or wife is traumatic. Healing from loss is challenging. Open this book, and let the healing continue.

Genres: Grief, Nonfiction

207 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 20, 2015

About the author

Hi. My name is Gary.

My story began with a childhood of sexual abuse and numerous other losses. When my life began to unravel as a teen, another family took me in and changed the trajectory of my life. My healing journey began.

Eager to help others heal and grow, my heart turned outward. Over the next three decades, I served as a campus minister, a church-planting missionary in Japan, an entrepreneur in Hawaii, and a pastor. I'm currently work as a writer, speaker, and hospice chaplain.

After walking through deep valleys with thousands of people, I can say the following with confidence:

• We've all been wounded
• Healing isn't for sissies
• We’re all designed for impact
• The world needs us
• We must heal

I'm here to help. I'm no guru or master of anything. I'm a fellow struggler. I still bear the scars of my wounds. I grieve, get anxious, worry, and battle fear regularly. But I'm healing, and I'm growing.

Stop by my website. Drop me an email. I’d love to hear from you.

Reviews

[William Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loss and grief

Every couple needs to read this book BEFORE loosing someone they love. I am not going to say it will make things easier, but a little preparation is better than none. You can never be fully prepared for the loss of a spouse. Weather the loss is sudden or prolonged, every loss is different and difficult and unique.
Remember, breathe.

[Karla Knighton-Beatty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear Gary,
I am in the process of reading your book "Heartbroken- Healing From the Loss of a Spouse" and cannot find the words to say how much I appreciate the quality and content of this heart-warming, true-to-life book. Charles, my beloved husband of 27 years died on April 3, 2019. He had been paralyzed from the neck down since 1991. Although each day he lived was a gift, we knew that at any time during those 28 years, he could have passed on. We had an amazing life together.GOD blessed us in so many ways. Charles' death has left a hole in my heart that I did not think I would ever survive from. Then I found your book, and I can honestly say that it has changed my life. Every single page represents something that I am going through. It is as though our love story is written on these pages. I feel so much better knowing that I am not alone and that some of the things I am experiencing are real and not just figments of my imagination. I am receiving so much comfort and joy each time I read an entry. A dear family friend just lost his wife last night and I am going to make sure that he has a copy of your book. It should be on the reading list for any classes, groups or organizations that focus on grief. Thank you so very much for writing such a poignant, life-affirming book!
Sincerely,
Karla L. Knighton-Beatty
Ypsilanti, MI

[Sylvia Stock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a great book! Myself an author and master coach in the emotional coaching for Alzheimer's arena, I too need to accept the loss of my spouse to that disease. and write the third book to help others. Little did I expect such an impact after his passing. I know of the "grieving process" but Gary's book far exceeds the standard approach to dealing with the loss of a spouse. I read in an evening and part of a sleepless night and gained amazing inspiration plus gave myself permission to grieve how best suits me. If you are, or know someone grieving from the loss of a spouse, this book for me is a MUST!

[C Lerch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very helpful in that it addresses a lot of the thoughts and emotions that surface during grieving but one never gives voice to. The chapters are tiny one page readings, great for one day at a time when its difficult to think about anything else. The devotional style helps focus and gives a direction that might have been overlooked because the grief is sometimes so heavy. The book has really helped me as I have been walking through the grieving process. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is hurting or in need of help while grieving. During this time of COVID there arent a lot of places to turn. This book can be one of those places.

[Lynette McCombs]

With short, reflective, and genuine entries, this book shares the real-life words and thoughts of others who have gone through the process of having lost a loved one. It pointedly reminds the grieving spouse that they are not alone and there are countless others who are also grieving the loss in a thousand different ways. It is not a step-by-step recovery format, but rather, a genuine heartfelt sharing of the journey from the earliest stages on toward the ability to begin moving forward. Reflections, verses, and places to journal add a personal element as one walks through grief.

[Dorothy Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Today is four months of my husband's passing. I miss him so much. I just finished reading Heartbroken, Healing from the Loss of a Spouse. Anyone grieving the loss of a Spouse this book is for you, it helped me understand that it was ok to grieve, I'm having a hard time I wake up during the night hearing my husband asking for me to help him off the floor. Reading this book helped me understand a lot of what I am going through.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. I read this book about a month after my husband passed unexpectedly, and I found solace in hearing stories of others who lost their life partners. It’s a dark time, when you don’t know anyone who understands your pain and I couldn’t find the words myself to describe the pain I was feeling. What I couldn’t describe, the widows and widowers in this book could. It was cathartic to read this and just cry.

[Jeanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone who has lost a love needs this book

This should be a book handed out to widows/widowers upon leaving the funeral. I've had many losses in my life but none compared to this, losing the love of my life. I highlighted more than half the book while reading and will return to this book every few months, probably to find things I highlighted might not be so important but other new things I'm sure will need highlighting.

[Jj · Rating 5 out of 5]

This will be a great comfort to anyone bereaved but especially if your partner was a soulmate. Gary addresses all the secret little concerns you have that you think are unique to just you. He also gently leads you through the pain and bewilderment you feel stuck in at present. This book is your best friend at this time.

[Deana P Clay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book after my dad did, following the passing of my mom. He said that it would give me insight into what he is going through. I’m grateful to have a glimpse into his grieving process and how I can help support him. The author does a great job in allowing the voices of grief to encourage others.

[Debi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very insightful with all the losses in my life in a short this book helped me understand the grief process of losing a spouse I lost my husband of 8 months and the my ex committed suicide. It is hard Thanks again Gary

[J.F. Ridgley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you. I needed this

He gets this...really
And hes right. Greiving hurts. Its hard. The compassion here has helped me deal with losing my hubby. It will help you...when you need help

[Phyllis Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the topics, touched on alot of emotions. I wish it would of spoke on more of the regrets and harder issues such as suicide, cheating/doubled lives...another same sex relationship prior to death

[MARGIE KRUEGER · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book helped me a lot to hear what others were feeling.

[Susan Nohelty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book that helped me understand the grief I was experiencing after my husband’s death.

[Lesley Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource filled with grieving tips that help with the loss of a spouse...

[Rachel Minske · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will be reading this one again. Great book that helps you know you aren't crazy. You aren't alone. And, you're going to make it.

[E Bedard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book to bring comfort after losing a spouse.

[Judy Stark]

My husband passed away 6 months ago. It's been an extremely difficult time. A friend of mine knew about Heartbroken and sent me a copy. This book has truly helped. It made me understand that there isn't a time limit on grief and what I'm feeling is completely normal. It's comforting to read how other widows/widowers are feeling and how they deal with their grief.
A woman I know just lost her husband a few weeks ago. I sent her a copy of Heartbroken, I hope it can bring her some comfort also.
I definitely recommend reading this book or sending it to someone who is grieving their spouse.

[Nellie Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

How Can I Survive The Loss of My Soulmate?

Our heart will always ache when our spouse is "taken" from us. We had so much left to do!
We are devastated. After the initial shock, reality "sets in". So many decisions to make. We are on an "emotional roller-coaster." We have to grieve in a way that will ultimately bring healing. A new perspective. I have personally been on this "grief journey" since April 26,2013. I have finally come to the realization that "I have to Live." That "God left me here for a reason."
After 35 years of marriage...losing my first & only love...it has truly been a long, heart wrenching journey. The words in this book not only come from Gary Roe, but many others who have experienced the loss of their spouse. The author, Gary Roe has experienced many losses in his life. His heart is set on helping others. I am so thankful for the "help" I have received not only from this book, but the many other resources he has made available to help us on our Journey. Thank You Gary Roe for your devotion to provide these resources for broken hearts

[Russ · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I lost my wife in 2013 I didn't know which way to turn. So many of the things I was going through, I found in this book.

[Karen Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Losing a spouse changes EVERYTHING! This book helps the one left behind see that they are not alone in their feelings.