Description

Is grief a dial we adjust gradually, or a sudden switch flipped without warning? In fact, it is both.

Over a devastating span of six brief weeks in 2022, Betsy Thibaut Stephenson experienced unimaginable loss: the suicide of her son, the passing of her mother-in-law from dementia, and the loss of their beloved family dog to cancer. Rather than allowing grief to overwhelm her entirely, Betsy courageously chose to confront these tragedies directly, embracing grief as an unwelcome yet lasting presence accompanying her through a dramatically altered life.

Blackbird is Betsy’s candid memoir, written openly and in real-time as she navigates overwhelming despair. With honesty and raw authenticity, she explores the intense emotional, physical, and spiritual toll brought by profound grief. By courageously addressing the fears and stigma surrounding loss, Betsy’s powerful narrative encourages essential conversations around mental health, emotional resilience during grieving, and creating meaningful pathways toward healing.