A man’s grief is different.
All grief carries a loneliness, but there is a particular loneliness for men.
In times of loss, men are asked, “How is your wife? Your family? Your kids?”
Rarely does someone come shoulder-to-shoulder to grieve alongside a man.
There is a lovely little book called “The Way Men Heal” by Thomas Golden that was a beautiful affirmation of what we already know. Men and women grieve differently. It talks clearly about how men often process their grief through work and action.
Women tend to be emotive, need more community, and need to talk more about their grief.
Men often grieve in a silent DOING of something that is meaningful for them as they process their grief.
When I wrote A Thousand Pounds, I was thinking of grieving men too.
I was careful to not allow the language or the cover to be too feminine. I wanted men to feel like this book is for them too.
In describing my grief, I use analogies around things like battles, athletics, and amputations.
There have been a handful of men that have been on our early reader teams and they, too, have found profound comfort, meaning, and companionship in what they read.
The quote in the image was one that was particularly striking for one of the men on the launch team.
If you know a man who is grieving… A Thousand Pounds is for him too.
To the men who are grieving. I see you.
To the fathers missing children today, and to children missing their fathers--I see you and honor your sorrow.
A Thousand Pounds. Now available in paperback, hardcover, or kindle editions. Audiobook coming soon.