How to Be a Family  by  Tricia Lott Williford chronicles her life in raising two young boys after the tragic death of her husband.  If you want to have the background and read the account of his death you can click here .  Tricia gives this caveat to the account of her husband’s death:

My husband died on the morning of December 23, 2010. The following is my personal account of his final hours, the story I must write. Please be advised, these paragraphs are graphic, detailed, personal, and mine. Read with caution, respect, and care.

This is a heart felt story written with authenticity, humor, and lessons learned in the crucible of life.  She understands the perspective of a single parent and honestly faces the challenges of parenting, “Parenting is a marathon, not a sprint, and one must measure it in decades, not days”  (p. 26).

She shares her struggles as a young mom, “The hardest thing I’ve ever done is learning to live and be happy again after Daddy died” (p. 93).   She provides however, humorous anecdotes throughout the book.  One of my favorite was when she was explaining that she writes for an adult audience and she accidentally told a roofer that she writes adult novels (p. 143).

As she chronicles the life of a widow raising two young boys she provides hope in the midst of the challenges.  “And then I am reminded that I am not their only parent.  Their Creator knows their hearts.  Their Counselor knows their worries.  Their Father holds them close.  I am their mom.  l  And I am not alone”  (p. 29).

Adversity can be a great teacher if we keep our eyes on God.  Tricia writes, “I used to think I was half.  Then I learned I’ve been whole all along” (p. 183).  The Apostle James writes of this lesson,

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various  trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.  (James 1:2-4)

You may think this book is specifically for single moms but I highly recommend this book for anyone who knows a single mom.  It will give you an appreciation for the challenges they face.  My mother was widowed when I was seven and my daughter was recently widowed with five children so I have a heart for the unique challenges that single moms face.  (I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review).

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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