Banged-Up Heart: Dancing with Love and Loss

In this memoir, Shirley shares her short relationship with her husband John. After healing from Joe’s death, her first husband, Shirley travels to Raleigh, North Carolina for Christmas. She hopes to meet up with an old friend of Joe’s to see if they are compatible. Things do not go according to her plan. Instead she meets her friend’s brother-in-law, John.

They begin emailing each other and make plans for John to visit her in Virginia. Their’s is a world wind courtship. John has a rare form of blood cancer and his health is a big part of their story. She goes into detail about his care and treatments. The story is touching but sad. At times, I had to take breaks from reading because it was too emotional. Shirley and John lived life to the best of their ability for the time they had.

This book made me look at the relationship I have with my husband. I do not want to waste a moment of what life has to offer. Shirley’s writing is very personal. She shows that you can live with a Banged-Up Heart.