Tana Sommer-belin

The Widow and the Bear Tana Sommer-belin

Lara, a 57-year-old artist in Southern California, is stunned by the sudden death of her husband. Launched unwillingly on that most difficult of journeys -- the first year of widowhood -- Lara faces loneliness, anxiety, and the inevitability of change. Caring for aging parents, and watching a beloved daughter move out into the world, Lara needs a companion in her own struggle, and finds one in a most unlikely place. Henri is a stuffed bear, a gift from Lara's daughter. He has a heart of gold, a gourmet's taste for honey, and a wisdom that belies his size. He is a listener, a comforter, and a reminder to Lara to appreciate her own life every day. This is the story of that year's journey, and Lara's discoveries about resilience and the enduring power of love.