Posted by Corinne Edwards on April 24, 2001 at 10:56:13:
Are you seeing anyone?
Tremendous strides have been made in this century, yet a secret fear prevails among women: that we are somehow deficient without a man. We are apologetic to our families for still being single...we give reasons and excuses to our friends (there’s nobody out there) ..and we put pieces of our life on hold until “he” comes along.
Reflections from a Woman Alone opens just after the death of Corinne Edward’s husband - but this is a book on renewal, not grieving. He had suffered for years and his passing on came almost as a relief. She is sad, misses him and is disoriented - and is surprised at the pressure from well-meaning friends, clients and family - to replace him - to find a man - almost immediately. The prologue poem sets the tone - “You only get a minute/the stone has not been set/before you hear the question/Are you seeing someone yet?”
This book is about women. Single women who could be any age - and perhaps also be mothers, friends, credit card jugglers, carpoolers, entrepreneurs, lovers, workers, gardeners, even grandmothers. Corinne Edwards welcomes you into this world in an unapologetic memoir - without a single whine, crumb of self-pity and with great wit. She allows the reader to eavesdrop through letters and poems on her most intimate thoughts, fears, regrets, hilarious experiences - even plastic surgery and a new love. It is a voyage from loss to rebirth - from confusion to harmony - and finally to awareness of true, feminine power...the intuitive, inborn genius to cherish and to love.
Reflections from a Woman Alone prompted one reader to say, “I thought you had been reading my mail.” This is an affirming and wholly redemptive book that has something to say to all women - many of whom are certain to find some of their “mail” here.
... I cannot remember being so moved. This book is a wonderful gift and your life will be enriched by reading it . . . this is the truth of how real people live real life. Don’t pass this by. If peering into the soul of another is a conversation with God – and it is – that is what you are about to have here. You will not soon forget what has been revealed to you.
NEALE DONALD WALSCH, author of Conversations With God