Carole Brody Fleet Happily EVEN After
Additionally, Ms. Fleet and Widows Wear Stilettos, Inc., have formed the Widows Wear Stilettos’ First Month Foundation; a non-profit foundation that will endeavor to offer financial assistance to the widowed community immediately post-loss and assist with the purchase of grave markers / headstones for those who cannot afford to do so; as well as provide scholarships to the annual Camp Widow International Conferences sponsored by the Soaring Spirits Loss Foundation.
We had the privilege to ask Ms. Carole Brody some healing insights to help understand the realms of loss, grief and how to find the way to recovery.
Omtimes: Where did the names “Happily EVEN After…” and “Widows Wear Stilettos…” come from?
Carole: The title, “Happily EVEN After…” was borne of the creative vision of my wonderful editor, Brenda Knight at Viva Editions. She immediately saw that the book is designed to help anyone dealing with spousal or partner loss find their new life and eventually live “happily even after” the devastation of loss. I could not have come up with any title that would better encompass what “Happily EVEN After…” is all about.
“Widows Wear Stilettos…” was the result of one particular moment during my own late husband’s funeral; though I certainly didn’t know it at the time. The name has since become synonymous with conveying hope, help and optimism during what is likely one of the most profoundly difficult times that anyone can experience. If nothing else, the title and the name generally brings a smile to many who likely haven’t smiled in a very long time.
Omtimes: What makes “Happily EVEN After…”different from all of the other “grief” books, CD’s, etc.?
Carole: First, the book is the only one of its kind in the genre. Written in reader-friendly, easy-to-reference question/answer format, all of the questions contained in “Happily EVEN After…” are excerpted from actual letters and postings written to Widows Wear Stilettos by real widows. The answers to the questions are the actual replies that I have provided to the authors of the letters and postings; along with additional commentary and personal anecdotes.
Secondly, “Happily EVEN After…” not only addresses issues and topics that many other books in the genre do not, all of the answers are contained in one book. Further, since many of the questions selected are the more commonly asked questions by those who are themselves widowed or by those who surround the bereaved, readers will likely find answers to most of the questions that they have as well. These questions deal with everything from how to face the holidays; to coping with relatives who fancy themselves financial wizards; to the “rules” of dating and a wide-ranging variety of subjects in between. “Happily EVEN After…” also addresses some of the most heart wrenchingly difficult issues that many who are widowed face; such as:
