The grief was still sharp following the death of her husband of 40 years. Widowhood was hard and giving up seemed like a solution. Then the phone rang. When Clare's son heard her voice, something moved him to say in the sternest of tones, "Mother, get off the couch. Get off the couch now." That was the moment of decision. Rising to her feet she knew that she was making the choice. "I choose life."

It wasn't easy but just as awkwardly as a child's first steps, she slowly moved forward and let grief be her teacher. Ups and downs were part of the journey, but it was through writing these personal essays that Clare rediscovered peace as she found her true voice.