It Is What It Is: A Widow's Journey of Seeking Solace Through Faith, Family, and Friends
by Maura McGee
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An intimate memoir of love, loss, and enduring grief.
Maura McGee's life turned upside down when, in the span of months, she found herself facing both the sudden loss of her mother and her husband Dave's shocking diagnosis of a rare and aggressive cancer. With six young kids, Maura and Dave were at a loss, unsure of how to move forward in the wake of this devastating news. In the throes of pain and fear, they had to relearn how to exist in a new reality as Dave battled this unforgiving disease and Maura confronted the fact that she may become a widow sooner than she ever thought possible. Dave, Maura, and their children were thankfully supported by their community, allowing them to find brief moments of happiness and acceptance of what was to come.
About two years after the diagnosis, Maura became a young widow and single mother, losing her childhood sweetheart the day after celebrating his forty-fifth birthday. As Maura would soon learn, motherhood pauses for no tragedy, but through faith, love, and support, she found the strength she needed to persevere. Because of Dave's example and their experience, Maura and her kids now try to pay forward the kindness and support shown to their family-encouraging Maura to finally share her inspiring journey of devastating loss and transformative resilience with the hope that it might offer a helping hand to those in need.
What began as an exercise in journaling to deal with her own grief, combined with timely social media posts and emails, turned into a beautiful recounting of her family's journey. It Is What It Is offers a vulnerable look into the painful world of grief and how one widow turned to her faith, family, and friends to help her move forward, one step at a time.
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Book Details
- ISBN
- 9781966786177
- Binding
- Paperback
- Authors
- Maura McGee
- Publisher
- Ballast Books
- Published Date
- August 19, 2025
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 312
- Physical Info
- 8.5 in L x 5.5 in W (0.8 lb)
A powerful and inspiring story of love, loss, and unwavering faith. The love Maura has for her husband is a powerful testimony to what marriage can and should be—a bond built on faith, love, and unwavering commitment.Her journey of being chosen to endure grief again and again while raising six children without the love of her life is a remarkable testimony of strength and devotion. Even in his absence, his faith and love live on through their family... and many, many signs. This book is both heartbreaking and hope-filled—a reminder that love and faith can carry us through even the deepest grief.
This book made me want to be a better wife and mother!!! Oh my it was so real, raw, honest, and perfect! Thank you for sharing your journey with us. Even though I am not a widow, I still learned so much!
I read this in one day. It's a touching memoir that anyone can enjoy and learn from, especially helpful for those dealing with cancer in their family as I am. Heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time. It's an authentic depiction of the every day as well as long-term impacts of terminal illnesses.
This book is incredible. I couldn’t put it down. It hit me hard because a friend of mine is battling pancreatic cancer and I kept thinking about what her spouse is dealing with like Maura was. When I finished it I just sat for awhile in silence and am feeling that whatever life throws my way I will remember to think “It is what it is” and deal with it with my faith in God. Beautifully written book.
I woke this morning at 5am and finished this book in 3rd sitting. Moving account of the personal and family journey after loss strikes taking a mother and then husband of the author leaving her with 6 kids to raise on her own. This book taught me about life in ways I never expected and gave me new insights into the loss of my own wife just over a year ago. Now, I confess, this is a story about my extended family and I lived it from a distance. There were many periods of tears while reading but also times of joy and, for me, grief as well. But going on the ride was well worth the effort for me psychically and spiritually, don't often get that from a book.
