Book
Starting From Scratch When You're Single Again
Author
Sharon M. Knudson and Mary Fran Heitzman
The Review
Single again...whether it is due to a death or a divorce―and whether you initiated the divorce or it caught you by surprise―being
single "again" after being married is like being thrown into the deep end of the pool when you can barely doggy paddle. Most of the
time you feel like you are in over your head, drowning, floundering, and barely able to breath. You live minute by minute. You live in
a state of grief and shock. You grieve for what could have been or should have been. You question God. You question yourself. You
question your future. Everything is uncertain. And until you actually have to go through it, you really don't know how you'll feel or
react or how you'll handle it―and you certainly can't tell someone else who is going through it that you "know how they feel," because
you don't. I have lived it. I do know what it feels like. And my story is similar to the stories of the women in this book. I truly
wish I'd have had this book to read when I was first "single again" because it would have made me feel less lonely, less alone in what I
was going through.
Starting From Scratch...When You're Single Again is a collection of firsthand stories of 23 other women who have been through it,
too. Each story lays bare the fears, insecurities, anger, and grief each woman experienced. If you're "single again," reading these
stories will assure you that you are not alone and that all of your feelings are perfectly normal. But even better, each story will
give you hope, because each of these women learned how to cope. They came through the stages of grief and went on to have good lives
afterward. Some of them remarried. Some of them didn't. Some of them even lost a second or third spouse. In that way, many of the
stories vary. But the common thread woven throughout all of the stories is hope and faith. God got them through this difficult,
sometimes absolutely horrendous and almost unbearable, time in their lives. Really, like any other grief, that is the only way.
Through it. You can't go around it, much as we'd like to. You have to go through it. And knowing God is right there with you is
often the only thing that enables you to do that. These stories clearly demonstrate that. If you're "single again," you'll relate
to many of the feelings and emotions these women experienced.
In addition to the stories, this book is filled with scripture references, verses, and encouragement from the women who have lived the
stories--and that's incredibly helpful! The scripture references alone provide a foundation for hope and for getting through each day.
The tips from the women are genuine and often very practical. The stories are uplifting.
Personally, not being a particularly avid cook or baker, the "from scratch," cooking analogies, and recipes were rather lost on me. I
think I would have enjoyed the book without them, although I really did like the "A Pinch of Salt" bits of advice (Guiding Principles)
and the follow-up ("With a Cherry on Top") on where each woman was now in her life. The recipes I pretty much just skimmed past. From
my perspective, the book could simply have been called Starting Over...When You're Single Again. The reality of the stories, the
scripture references, and the heartfelt purpose behind the book―to help other "single again" women was the substance of the book.
I found the stories honest, forthright, and helpful. As someone who has been divorced and also dealt with the death of a former spouse,
I could relate to many of these stories. But more than anything, I could relate to the need to cling to God for comfort, peace,
understanding, wisdom, provision for me and my family's physical and financial needs, and the assurance that I was not really alone
after all. And I, like many of these women, found that it was in the sharing of my feelings, the experiencing of and expressing of my
grief, and the getting down onto my knees when I had nowhere else to go that I also found healing. Prayer, reading the Bible―or
other Christian books focusing on God's love for me, understanding of me, and compassion for me despite my sinfulness and sometimes
ungrateful attitude...helped get me through it. Starting from Scratch...When You're Single Again is one of those books that will
help you get through it, too.
Order Starting From Scratch When You're Single Again today!
About The Author:
Tina L. Miller is an author, editor, and photographer who lives in Merrill, Wisconsin. You may contact her via either of
her websites: PhotographyByTina.com or TinaLMiller.com
* This article is available for your publication, for a F-E-E.
This article may NOT be reprinted without monetary compensation and written permission from the author.
For reprint rights or comments/questions about this article, please contact the author.
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