No one should have to go through what author Tré Miller Rodríguez went through at her age. At 34, she tragically loses her husband to a heart attack while he is in bed next to her. This true story is her detailed, raw and brutally honest look at how she tries to cope with the grief of his loss in the months afterwards – it hurts, it is not always pretty but it is how she makes do.
Tré has already lived enough tragedy for one life. She has experienced life deeply – both its good and its bad. At 18 she gave up her daughter soon after birth for adoption. At 19 her only sibling died in a car crash.
Travel helps give her some distance, some emotional perspective from her loss – places like Cuba (her husband’s homeland) and Brazil help break her out of the cocoon of grief.
But life works in mysterious ways. Just emerging from the emotional roller coaster she has been on since her husband died – her daughter reaches out to her on Facebook. This is the highlight of the read – a joyful at long last reunification of mother and daughter.
A memoir such as this makes one reflect on and cherish the most important things in life especially those you love and clearly distinguish them from just the “fun things” in life – but hopefully combining the two – and treasuring them both.
Reflecting on the emotional power of this book – one also realizes how important the power of ‘now’ is. If there is an underlying message weaved throughout the details of this story, it is that life is impermanent – grasp onto the important fleeting moments of permanence. Do things you want to do now with those you love.
Spot-on review. I read this book in one day, could not put it down.