The Tender Scar: Life After the Death of a Spouse [Paperback]

Richard L. Mabry (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 30, 2006

Written by a former physician and recent widower, this warmly practical book guides the bereaved through the grief process and explains how to live after the death of a spouse. (20060501)

Editorial Reviews

Review

The Tender Scar should be purchased and given to anyone you care about who has lost a spouse. It offers valid, genuine help that well-meaning friends often cannot provide. It also gives the contact information for support groups. This is also a very valuable book for all pastors, counselors, ministers, and chaplains who so often deal with death issues. (Rev. Austin Miles Agape Press 20070101)

"The Tender Scar should be bought and given to anyone you care about who has lost a spouse. It offers valid, genuine help that well-meaning friends often cannot provide. It also gives the contact information for support groups. This is also a very valuable book for all pastors, counselors, ministers and chaplains who so often deal with death issues. Reading this book will compel you to rethink how important your husband, wife or companion is. It will spur you to make every minute count with your spouse even if it means turning off your favorite program in order to pay full attention to a soul mate who at that moment wants to talk." (Rev. Austin Miles americandaily.com 20061204)

After reading this book, the grieving widow or widoweróindeed anyone suffering the sting of a loved ones' deathóin left with the assurance that, although the scar left behind is tender, healing is possible. (Dan Griffin Baptist Standard 20070101)

He understands how gut-wrenching holidays and other social events can be without your loved one. If you've lost your spouse, get this book. If you know someone who recently lost a spouse, give this book (but first read it yourselfóit will make you a better friend to the grief-stricken). (Sue Kline DJ Picks 20070201)

After reading this book, the grieving widow or widoweróindeed anyone suffering the sting of a loved ones' deathóin left with the assurance that, although the scar left behind is tender, healing is possible. (Dan Griffin Baptist Standard )

He understands how gut-wrenching holidays and other social events can be without your loved one. If you've lost your spouse, get this book. If you know someone who recently lost a spouse, give this book (but first read it yourselfóit will make you a better friend to the grief-stricken). (Sue Kline DJ Picks )

Thank goodness. The author of The Tender Scar has the ability to put into words his deepest feelings of when his wife of many years suffered a stroke and never recovered . . . . Richard Mabry, the author, was a teaching physician for 35 years but he knew he must share his grief with others such as his pastor, friends and family members. Not only did he keep a near daily journal of his feelings, he shared them word for word by means of e-mail. Each of the 26 chapters includes a verbatim copy of his e-mail to either his children or closest friends and he includes with each a Bible reference and a prayer . . . . I thoroughly appreciated this book and I recommend family members of all ages to read it, particularly members of the older generations. I further recommend that it be placed in our church library to be accessible for all to read. (Gene Ludtke The Lamplighter )

From the Back Cover

Offering hope and healing for the broken-hearted, The Tender Scar addresses the heart-wrenching pain of loosing a spouse. Using journal entries written after the death of his wife, Dr. Richard Mabry uses his own journey as a stepping-stone to a practical discussion of the grief process, offering help on such topics as:

• Finding a support group
• Resigning your commission
• Combating funeral flashbacks
• Reviewing the souvenirs of a lifetime
• Facing holidays
• Remembering an anniversary

He connects with the reader in a way that makes them say, “Yes, I feel that way,” and “That might work for me—maybe I should try it.” He shares the emotions and situations he encountered, and acknowledges his own mistakes as well as his hard-won victories.

“These are powerful words won in the conflict between heartbreak and healing. They are authoritative inasmuch as Dr. Mabry speaks from the trench and not the pulpit.”

—Dr. Dan L. Griffin
Pastor of Christ Fellowship Baptist Church
  Arlington, Texas

Richard L. Mabry, MD, has a background that includes more than thirty-five years of medical practice, both as a private practitioner and a professor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. He has authored three best-selling medical textbooks and edited two others. A deacon at his home church, Richard has taught several Bible courses and Sunday School classes over the years. Though now retired, he is still in great demand as a speaker and teacher both in the United States and abroad.

(20061204)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Kregel Publications; 2nd edition (March 30, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0825433401
• ISBN-13: 978-0825433405
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #183,536 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #24 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Health, Mind & Body > Death & Grief > Grief & Bereavement
  • #44 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Relationships > Love & Loss

More About the Author

I'm a retired physician, who got into non-medical writing after the death of my first wife with my book, THE TENDER SCAR: LIFE AFTER THE DEATH OF A SPOUSE. I'm gratified that it continues to help those who have lost a loved one.

From that point, I moved into writing fiction. Thus far I've had four novels of medical suspense published: CODE BLUE, MEDICAL ERROR, DIAGNOSIS DEATH, and LETHAL REMEDY. The second and third books listed were named finalists for the ACFW Carol Award and Romantic Times' Best Inspirational Novel respectively.

My next book, due out in early 2013 from Thomas Nelson Publishers, carries the working title of STRESS TEST. I hope you'll watch for it.

I currently serve as Vice-President of the American Christian Fiction Writers and am a proud member of the International Thriller Writers.

When I'm not writing, I'm busy being a husband and grandfather, working on my golf game, and doing the hundred-and-one other things that retired people do. I'm busier now than I ever was while in practice--and loving it.