Confessions of a Mediocre Widow: Or, How I Lost My Husband and My Sanity

Catherine Tidd

Jan 2014 · Sourcebooks, Inc.

About this ebook

I spent my 11th wedding anniversary planning my husband's funeral. If I could just figure out how to make that rhyme, it would be the beginning of a great country song.

Involuntarily single. That's the true story of where Catherine Tidd found herself just three weeks after turning thirty-one. With three children under six years old, no fix-it skills, no clue how to live life as a widow and coping with grief after the death of her spouse, Catherine couldn't help but be a little exasperated with her dead husband for leaving her to deal with life on her own.

Catherine found herself in charge of her life in a way she never wanted to be, in a way that would have most of us reeling and numb. But she soon realized that when you call the shots, you can make pedicures one of the stages of grief—and that moving forward might be more fun in a new sports car. Her honest Confessions of a Mediocre Widow is not your typical book on grief and loss of a spouse, but rather a glimpse into the heartbreaking and sometimes humorous world of a young woman who learns that overcoming grief and healing after loss is possible, and that you can find joy in an unexpected life.

Praise for Confessions of a Mediocre Widow:

"Heartfelt and surprisingly humorous memoir...an ultimately uplifting story, and thanks to Tidd's keen sense of humor her tale never becomes maudlin...Widowers and other readers will find inspiration and useful advice in her candid story." —Publishers Weekly

"This was the only helpful book that I have read about becoming and being a widow. I found myself laughing and listening to Tidd as I would listen to a friend telling her story; she has a voice that is compelling, a story that is real and a book that is an invaluable addition to grief memoirs. " —Bitter/Sweet

"With wit and good humor, Tidd looks back on the time immediately following her husband's death with charming self-deprecation at her seeming inability to be a good widow. Through this, she shows readers that there is no "right way" to grieve. " —Library Journal

Ratings and reviews

The trials and life experiences of a young Widow. I found myself amazed repeatedly of the similar ways we choose to grieve, from pedicures, retail therapy, buying a sports car to remodeling the house. This book came in my path at the time I needed it most. Living through my first year as a 42yr old Widow with 2 older children this book helps me realize that I'm not crazy, that others are out there that can't cope with life some days or weeks and that's okay. Thank you Catherine for sharing.

So many reasons to read this book. Its great! Just the for real journey of being a widow.

About the author

Catherine Tidd is a widow, mother, and the founder of theWiddahood.com. She is a contributing author to several anthologies focusing on grief and renewal and a writer for The Denver Post’s Mile High Mamas. Originally from Louisiana, Catherine currently lives in Colorado.