Never Better | All Things Considered

Never Better: All Things Considered (2007)

By Sally A. Connolly

Never Better has been named an award-winning finalist in the

Women’s Issues category of the National Best Books 2008 Awards,

sponsored by USA Book News.

Most women in the United States today live without a spouse. Not all of them,

however, have chosen to be members of this majority. In Never Better,

Ms. Connolly shares her acceptance of being single once again after the loss

of her husband of thirty-seven years. Her journey toward renewal both enlightens

and entertains, and she gives voice to the spirit for survival that lies deep within

the human psyche. Marie Cassidy, director of the Medord Family Network, says:

"Never Better is an inspiring book on the transition from loss to renewal."

PREFACE

INTRODUCTION

AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER

A Boy from Lawrence

A Teacher’s Gift

Surviving Widowhood: My First Year

It’s June in January

How Fickle Our Weather

Single Again, and Rediscovering Joy

My All-Time Favorite

FAMILY TIES

Hope and a High Risk Pregnancy

Marking a Milestone: One Pregnancy at a Time

With Goodness and Mercy

On the Path of Righteousness

THE SONG IS YOU

Sisters, Sisters

Lighting Up My Life

The Melody Lingers On

At Long Last Love

Shall We Dance

Memories Are Made of This

The One that Got Away

FRIENDLY PERSUASION

We’re All Winners

ABC’s of Success

A Better Life through Literacy

TIME ON MY HANDS

The Awakening

Home for the Holidays

Some Things Never Change

The Wonderful World of Technology

And the Song Plays On

How Sweet It Is

Lost at Sea: Gone, Fishing

Consumer Alert: Dangerous Magnetic Toys

Dangerous Toys Still for Sale

Another Bearer of Bad News

Lifting the Veil and Removing the Scars

You’ve Changed (Not)

Answering the Call to Duty

Wiping Out a Rumor

Leave the Driving to Me

What's for Dinner?

A PASSION FOR DECENCY

The Good Old Days

My Personal Lifeguard

In Loco Parentis

Safeguarding Our Students

Letter to the Editor: The Fetish Fair

Letter to the Editor: Preventing Partial Births

In the Beginning

EPILOGUE

APPENDIX A

APPENDIX B

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A Review by Laura Strathman Hulka, MyShelf.com

Ms. Connolly's technique in selecting to write out her grief and sorrow is not unique, but her approach and voice is. In a series of heartfelt and inspiring vignettes, she explores the varying aspects of widowhood and moving on with life thereafter.

This book is a perfect companion piece to her first book, A Boy from Lawrence - The Collected Writings of Eugene F. Connolly, which was reviewed here on Myshelf. Each entry is a look inside the experiences of Sally's emotional roller coaster, and bestows a touch of divine grace to the reader, for Sally Connolly’s faith is present in each word she writes. Even those without the roots and faith of Catholicism that Ms. Connolly embraces can learn from her experiences, and her viewpoint.

Certainly, the perspective that is presented in these scenes from her life is moving and inspiring. In addition, there is a strong sense of realism and verisimilitude in her work that transcends the spiritual or religious. The appeal here is not only to those widowed, but also to those in long-standing relationships, adult children who have lost a parent, and to those struggling to understand the loss of others.

The contents are presented in sections: "An Affair to Remember" (about the roots of her romance, marriage and widowing), "Family Ties," "The Song is You," "Friendly Persuasion," "Time on My Hands" and "A Passion for Decency." Each segment has a series of essays that can be read one at a time and savored, or read one after the other to get the full flavor of Sally and Gene's life together. She weaves the stories of her children, family and friends within, as well, giving the book the feeling of reading someone's private journal.

The Catholic in Sally is strong, and may be off-putting for those not reared within the confines of Catholic schools and religion. Yet her history as a retired school counselor and teacher is evident as well, for each word seems carefully chosen to express the emotions and sentiments that many of us feel, but can't articulate. In the writing of this work, Ms. Connolly gives our feelings and emotions validity, and allows us, through her experiences, to know that we are not alone in life, grief and sorrow. That alone is worth the price of admission! ENJOY!