Staying Alive: A Love Story [Paperback]

Laura B. Hayden (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 13, 2011

"Staying Alive: A Love Story" is a tale of hope and renewal that centers on the author's twelve-year exploration of mortality, after her 49-year-old husband's sudden death. Coupled with other losses in her life including one of her kidneys to cancer, the memoir digs deep through self-exploration and astute observations of the natural world as it chronicles her efforts to come to terms with grief and live a fully invested life, for herself and her two children. This vividly real story of lives reinvented ultimately speaks to human resilience and the power of love. In 1998 when the author's husband died, she was one of 700,000 widows in the U.S. In 2002 this number rose to 800,000, a sorry trend of the baby-boomer generation. A third of these widows are under 45. Most of this group was caring for young children, trying to stay afloat financially and emotionally. "Staying Alive" will inform, support, and encourage other widows and widowers or anyone who has lost a loved one.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Laura B. Hayden spent her childhood in Brooklyn, NY, and her teens in Enfield, CT, where she went on to teach high school and freelance for regional publications. She married, raised her daughter and son through her thirties and forties, and was widowed before she turned fifty. She completed her MFA in Writing at Western Connecticut State University in 2010. The author's previous writing has been published by The Hartford Courant, Northeast magazine, the Journal Inquirer, Connecticut Parent, Hartford Woman, and Imprint publications . Her essay, "Saved by the Belle" took first place in the First Annual Mark Twain Days Essay Contest on American Politics & Government, judged by Russell Baker, Garry Trudeau, and Joyce Chadwick-Joshua. Recently, her essay "Nesting" received an honorable mention from Connecticut Review, a journal published by the Connecticut State University system.

Product Details

• Paperback: 140 pages
• Publisher: Signalman Publishing (September 13, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1935991183
• ISBN-13: 978-1935991182
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #933,255 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Laura spent her childhood in Brooklyn, NY, and her teens in Enfield,
CT, where she went on to teach high school and freelance for regional
publications. She married, raised her daughter and son through
her thirties and forties, and was widowed before she turned fifty.
She completed her MFA in Writing at Western Connecticut State
University in 2010.

Laura's previous writing has been published by The Hartford
Courant, Northeast magazine, the Journal Inquirer, Connecticut
Parent, Hartford Woman, and Imprint publications . Her essay,
"Saved by the Belle" took first place in the First Annual Mark Twain
Days Essay Contest on American Politics & Government, judged
by Russell Baker, Garry Trudeau, and Joyce Chadwick-Joshua.
Recently, her essay "Nesting" received an honorable mention from
Connecticut Review, a journal published by the Connecticut State
University system.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A true love story, September 6, 2011

By 

Shannon - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Staying Alive: A Love Story (Kindle Edition)

Hayden's book takes the reader through the chambers of her heart and mind as she deals with the unexpected death of her husband, the father of a young family. The book is made up of essays that capture parts of her life as a child, with her husband and as a single mother of two children. Some of the stories will make you laugh, others will make you cry, but at the end it all comes full circle. I think it is wonderful that Hayden's children can one day share this book with their children and future generations so they can hear all about their family, especially their grandfather. I truly enjoyed reading Staying Alive.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great, touching story, September 5, 2011

By 

G. D. - See all my reviews

This review is from: Staying Alive: A Love Story (Kindle Edition)

After losing her husband at an early age, the author shares her memories of him in a way that lets the reader feel not only the pain that goes along with such a tragedy, but also insight into how she is able to bring her two children through the difficult times. With each chapter, new memories of their lives together are unfolded as she describes the man she loved, and the children she still has to raise, while looking for meaning in it all. I found myself crying at some parts, and laughing at others. I would recommend this book to anyone who has lost someone close, or is just looking for a good story about perseverance after a heartbreaking loss.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Poigant lessons on love and loss., December 23, 2011

By 

Shannon M Rosa (Northfield, CT) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Staying Alive: A Love Story (Paperback)

I'm very glad that I chose to read Hayden's beautifully written memoir. As an individual who has suffered a recent loss, I found Hayden's words to be comforting and thought provoking- both a mourning and a celebration of her beloved husband. Being a descendent of Italian immigrants who moved from NY to CT, it was easy for me to see myself and my family in her words. I felt very safe exploring my own loss through her world. This book is a worthwhile read for not only suffers of loss, but also parents of children, children of parents, and those who might like a glimpse into the life of someone reconciling the difficult parts of life with a deep spiritual connection. Pick up a copy.