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My Grief Is Not Like Yours: Learning to Live after Unimaginable Loss—A Daughter's Journey
A daughter's heartbreaking and tragic story of losing her parents—and hope for those walking their own journey through grief.
Theo Boyd had always been close to her parents. Her father was a Texas peanut farmer, rancher, and preacher; her mother, deaf from a young age, was the glue that held them all together. Then one summer day in 2019, everything changed when Theo’s mother died in a tragic accident on their family farm. As Theo began to process this loss, her marriage started to unravel, adding another painful layer to her grief.
Meanwhile, Theo continued to care for her father who was shaken to his core by the tragedy. Nothing could erase the agony he felt from losing his love and soulmate of over fifty years, and one night he chose to escape his pain by ending his life. Theo suddenly had to learn to live without the two people who were her constant love and support—her parents.
In My Grief Is Not Like Yours, Theo gives an unforgettable account of how quickly life can turn to grief. Beautifully woven, this book is threaded with memories and raw emotions that are seldom discussed. Theo shows readers how she endured the unimaginable. She walks beside anyone navigating through their grief, helping them feel less alone and guiding them to hope and healing.
“We are all unique, in life and in death. We are born, we live, we die, and we grieve, but my grief is not like yours.�
—Theo Boyd
Theo Boyd had always been close to her parents. Her father was a Texas peanut farmer, rancher, and preacher; her mother, deaf from a young age, was the glue that held them all together. Then one summer day in 2019, everything changed when Theo’s mother died in a tragic accident on their family farm. As Theo began to process this loss, her marriage started to unravel, adding another painful layer to her grief.
Meanwhile, Theo continued to care for her father who was shaken to his core by the tragedy. Nothing could erase the agony he felt from losing his love and soulmate of over fifty years, and one night he chose to escape his pain by ending his life. Theo suddenly had to learn to live without the two people who were her constant love and support—her parents.
In My Grief Is Not Like Yours, Theo gives an unforgettable account of how quickly life can turn to grief. Beautifully woven, this book is threaded with memories and raw emotions that are seldom discussed. Theo shows readers how she endured the unimaginable. She walks beside anyone navigating through their grief, helping them feel less alone and guiding them to hope and healing.
“We are all unique, in life and in death. We are born, we live, we die, and we grieve, but my grief is not like yours.�
—Theo Boyd
271 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 9, 2023
17 people are currently reading
7,678 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
May 20, 2024
As someone who still has both of her parents but has been surrounded by death for my entire life, this book was magnificent in noticing that my grief isn’t singular but that how I cope is. I’ve seen tragic death first hand, I’ve seen peaceful passing, and I’ve seen the long drawn out deaths following extensive cancer battles. I know death. But I never knew it enough to acknowledge it’s just life and we’re all just trying to get by.
This book was gifted to me as a part of a Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ Giveaway and I am going to cherish this book and share it with my family.
This book was gifted to me as a part of a Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ Giveaway and I am going to cherish this book and share it with my family.
April 26, 2025
What a tragically beautiful memoir. Theo Boyd walks us through grieving her parents after they both suffered separate, horrible deaths. She also discusses her divorce and the grief that can be felt from a loss of relationship. Ms. Boyd's writing is so beautiful and easily brought tears to my eyes.Ìý This book is for anyone suffering through grief. While you get to learn about growing up in a peanut farm in Texas, you also get to feel the sense of a warm hug you didn't know you needed and hear reassurance about losing a loved one. The author mentions her beliefs in God and religion, which something I do not relate to. Despite the disconnection on that part only, I would say this touched me deeply and I would recommend this book to everyone.
July 12, 2024
I thought this was a very clever book about grief that is like no other I have read. I will be recommending this to people in my life. This is the book I needed to read at the time.
September 13, 2024
I liked the book but I kinda thought it was about a child daughter cuz I have been looking for a grief\loss book about a child, but overall it was a really good book I could relate to it most of the time, 4 stars! (:
December 17, 2024
Having recently lost my Dad, this book gave me all the feels. Everyone's grief is different, even if it's for the same person
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September 11, 2024a beautiful remembrance and a good resource
May 30, 2024
I found this book unexpectedly at a local bookstore, but it came at a time that I so desperately needed it. Reading through the raw emotions of grief, was like having a friend speak directly to the hurting places of heart. Whether recently grieving or knowing someone that is struggling with grief, this will be a book that I share widely!
December 2, 2023
My Grief Is Not Like Yours: Learning to Live After Unimaginable Loss, A Daughter’s Story� by Theo Boyd is a heartbreaking story that, while truly so terrible for the author, will also show any reader that there is a lot of hope out there for others dealing with grief. This story, such a very personal one for the author, should be read by those dealing with their own grief who are looking for a situation or person who can help guide them through this journey and hopefully heal. Once you pick it up and start reading, I can assure you that you will not want to put it back down until you are finished.
“My Grief Is Not Like Yours� is the story of Theo Boyd, a woman who was always very close to her parents, from her childhood and on up into being an adult. Theo grew up in Texas with a father who was a peanut farmer and preacher. Her mother, although completely deaf, was a woman of strength who kept their family together through whatever life brought. In 2019, however, this family fell apart when Theo’s mother was killed in a horrible accident. As the author is attempting to work through her own grief over losing her mother, she also must take care of her father who completely falls apart after losing the love of his life. As hard as Theo tries to help her father, nothing works, and he eventually takes his own life. Now this amazing woman must deal with not losing just one parent but both parents, people who were always there for her and supporting her. This situation, to me, is just inconceivable.
Theo Boyd has given readers an inspiring and very honest look into how she personally dealt with an indescribable tragedy. The writing is poignant, honest, and very courageous. There were times when I was crying buckets as I read her story and other times when I was actually smiling. It is definitely a whirlwind of emotions as the pages are turned and one that, in the end, brings the reader to a place of absolute hope and belief that they can come out the other end of the grief process whole and able to go forward.
“My Grief Is Not Like Yours,� as this title shows us, is a memoir that honestly shows how no two people will grieve the same. I think that is the greatest wisdom shown in the story. While anyone can learn from Theo’s story it is at the end, a story that is hers alone, but one that will show others there is hope no matter how you personally handle your grief. In these pages I felt that all of us are allowed to learn, to accept, and to feel that there is someone else on our side who understands that while they cannot take away your grief, they can recognize it and will walk along beside you as you follow your own path.
Theo Boyd has given all readers a chance to move forward with this book. “My Grief Is Not Like Yours� is a story that shows there is always hope but it is not a simple or short process. Everyone must navigate it in their own time and their own way. I thank the author for being brave enough to put her story down on paper and share it with everyone. It took a lot of courage, and the result is so very worth it. I would highly recommend this book to all. 5 Stars!
“My Grief Is Not Like Yours� is the story of Theo Boyd, a woman who was always very close to her parents, from her childhood and on up into being an adult. Theo grew up in Texas with a father who was a peanut farmer and preacher. Her mother, although completely deaf, was a woman of strength who kept their family together through whatever life brought. In 2019, however, this family fell apart when Theo’s mother was killed in a horrible accident. As the author is attempting to work through her own grief over losing her mother, she also must take care of her father who completely falls apart after losing the love of his life. As hard as Theo tries to help her father, nothing works, and he eventually takes his own life. Now this amazing woman must deal with not losing just one parent but both parents, people who were always there for her and supporting her. This situation, to me, is just inconceivable.
Theo Boyd has given readers an inspiring and very honest look into how she personally dealt with an indescribable tragedy. The writing is poignant, honest, and very courageous. There were times when I was crying buckets as I read her story and other times when I was actually smiling. It is definitely a whirlwind of emotions as the pages are turned and one that, in the end, brings the reader to a place of absolute hope and belief that they can come out the other end of the grief process whole and able to go forward.
“My Grief Is Not Like Yours,� as this title shows us, is a memoir that honestly shows how no two people will grieve the same. I think that is the greatest wisdom shown in the story. While anyone can learn from Theo’s story it is at the end, a story that is hers alone, but one that will show others there is hope no matter how you personally handle your grief. In these pages I felt that all of us are allowed to learn, to accept, and to feel that there is someone else on our side who understands that while they cannot take away your grief, they can recognize it and will walk along beside you as you follow your own path.
Theo Boyd has given all readers a chance to move forward with this book. “My Grief Is Not Like Yours� is a story that shows there is always hope but it is not a simple or short process. Everyone must navigate it in their own time and their own way. I thank the author for being brave enough to put her story down on paper and share it with everyone. It took a lot of courage, and the result is so very worth it. I would highly recommend this book to all. 5 Stars!
April 26, 2024
I read about this book through a grief website and went into it knowing it was a personal account and not necessarily anything that would be considered self-help. As someone who has also gone through a series of unfortunate events, I sometimes wonder if anyone other than me and my immediate circle considers my loss/grief any different than your average loss. That being said, I can see how putting traumatic events and memories of our loved ones to paper can serve as a form of therapy (as it did for the author).
May 12, 2023
“Sometimes, the very thing that people are trying to discourage you from doing or talking about is the very thing you need to exist. Don’t be afraid to be strong. Don’t be afraid to talk about them.
Keep them alive with your memories.�- Theo Boyd
Grief is painful and tricky and for the person going through it, it can feel like it’s never going to get any better. Theo Boyd wrote My Grief is Not Like Yours during an unexpectedly tragic and painful time in her life. Rather than curling up in a ball and giving up, she put pen to paper and started writing. Her memoir brings the reader into her world; the pain, the love, the memories as only a daughter can write about her beloved parents. Parents who were everything to their daughter, pillars in a small community, people of strong faith. What are you to do when the unexpected happens, when tragedy sneaks in, when your life falls apart? This deeply personal and heartfelt journey definitely tugs at the heart strings. I laughed and cried and honestly, I felt hope.
“Your faith can lead you on the discovery diet. You will pray again. You will eat again. You will love again. You won’t be looking for it. It will find you and grab you, leaving you breathless. Be open to it. Let hope grab you. Let hope take your breath away. It will be the best thing you have felt in a long time.Ìýâ€�
This book is a great resource for anyone experiencing the loss of a loved one. While we don’t all experience grief the same way, we are all bonded together in our shared pain. I plan to keep several copies to give to those I love that are experiencing grief. Do yourself a favor and get a copy too- you will not be disappointed.
May 18, 2023
My Grief Is Not Like Yours
By
Theo Boyd
Review:
Theo Boyd's "My Grief is Not Like Yours" is a daughter's journey. In June 2019, Theo was happy, had supporting parents, a successful husband, a good career, etc. On July 29, 2019, tragic events happened in her life that left her without hope, without purpose and without direction.
Three tragic events changed her life. Her mother was killed in an accident on their farm. Her marriage crumbled when she was grieving and her Dad was in so much pain that he ended his life. Theo's time with her mother when she bought her a new phone and taught her how to text inspired me to do something for my parents. Theo's mom was deaf from a young age. This made Theo learn patience, humility, compassion, etc.
After reading this book, I could say that the title couldn't have been better than this. The story is well paced and I appreciate Theo's courage in sharing her personal journey with all of us. Those who are on a rollercoaster ride of grief-driven emotions would feel that they aren't alone. Go ahead with this book without any second thoughts. The author has used lucid language in this book so the readers could follow her journey easily.
Rating: 5/5
By
Theo Boyd
Review:
Theo Boyd's "My Grief is Not Like Yours" is a daughter's journey. In June 2019, Theo was happy, had supporting parents, a successful husband, a good career, etc. On July 29, 2019, tragic events happened in her life that left her without hope, without purpose and without direction.
Three tragic events changed her life. Her mother was killed in an accident on their farm. Her marriage crumbled when she was grieving and her Dad was in so much pain that he ended his life. Theo's time with her mother when she bought her a new phone and taught her how to text inspired me to do something for my parents. Theo's mom was deaf from a young age. This made Theo learn patience, humility, compassion, etc.
After reading this book, I could say that the title couldn't have been better than this. The story is well paced and I appreciate Theo's courage in sharing her personal journey with all of us. Those who are on a rollercoaster ride of grief-driven emotions would feel that they aren't alone. Go ahead with this book without any second thoughts. The author has used lucid language in this book so the readers could follow her journey easily.
Rating: 5/5
May 18, 2023
"My Grief is Not Like Yours" written by the author Theo Boyd is a must read. In this book, the author has shared about her unimaginable loss and how she learned to live after it. Theo Boyd has always been close to her parents. Once, when her father was in the driver seat of his tractor, his feet accidentally slipped from the clutch and the tractor ran over her mother Sue.
Sue lost her life. Theo's father kept on blaming himself. He was unable to bear the pain of loss of his wife so he had taken his own life. Theo's world turned upside down when she lost the two most important people in her life. Her journey is heartbreaking and yet inspiring at the same time. The way she has described the moments she spent with her parents made me feel how close she was to them.
Theo's journey is an inspiration to everyone. Through this book, the author is giving hope to others that even after the greater tragedies of life, one can learn to live. The author is assuring others through her story that they aren't alone in their grief. Theo is guiding the readers towards healing. This book is written well and I had a great time reading it.
Sue lost her life. Theo's father kept on blaming himself. He was unable to bear the pain of loss of his wife so he had taken his own life. Theo's world turned upside down when she lost the two most important people in her life. Her journey is heartbreaking and yet inspiring at the same time. The way she has described the moments she spent with her parents made me feel how close she was to them.
Theo's journey is an inspiration to everyone. Through this book, the author is giving hope to others that even after the greater tragedies of life, one can learn to live. The author is assuring others through her story that they aren't alone in their grief. Theo is guiding the readers towards healing. This book is written well and I had a great time reading it.
May 18, 2023
In her book 'My Grief Is Not Like Yours', the author has expressed her raw emotions from the day she lost her mother. The loss of her mother was just the beginning of tragedies in Theo's life. What happened in the next three years was something Theo couldn't have imagined in her wildest dreams. In June 2022, her father ended her life. Her marriage was ending. This wasn't enough. The therapist who helped her to grieve the loss of her mother also passed away.
Losing so many loved ones could break the person entirely. I appreciate Theo for standing up again. She is an inspiration to others. Her story gives hope to those who are going through difficult times in their life. Even though we are in dark times at some point in life, we can always find joy again.
This book is written well by the author. It is an emotional read and you may be able to relate Theo's story to your loss. Theo's story has inspired me to be compassionate and help those who are having bad times in life. This story inspired me to have an empathetic heart. Add it to your tbr.
Losing so many loved ones could break the person entirely. I appreciate Theo for standing up again. She is an inspiration to others. Her story gives hope to those who are going through difficult times in their life. Even though we are in dark times at some point in life, we can always find joy again.
This book is written well by the author. It is an emotional read and you may be able to relate Theo's story to your loss. Theo's story has inspired me to be compassionate and help those who are having bad times in life. This story inspired me to have an empathetic heart. Add it to your tbr.
May 9, 2023
“By sharing, we belong, and by belonging we can share.� —Theo Boyd, My Grief Is Not Like Yours
As the title suggests, no two people grieve the same way. Yet I find it interesting how in reading one’s account of their grief, another can find healing. Their experiences are not the same, yet they have a connection. I think that’s beautiful.
In this memoir, Theo does not hold back. Her vulnerability is palpable on every page. I found nuggets of wisdom in every chapter and have my annotations to prove it. With her words, I laughed, I cried, and I found my own healing as I remembered walking through grief in my own life. I hope others that read this book experience the same.
Our grief should never be a story we hide. Though uncomfortable, we shouldn’t shy away from talking about it or listening to our loved ones as they process their own. Theo shows the power of speaking up about the very real and raw moments we each have or must inevitably face in our lives.
As the title suggests, no two people grieve the same way. Yet I find it interesting how in reading one’s account of their grief, another can find healing. Their experiences are not the same, yet they have a connection. I think that’s beautiful.
In this memoir, Theo does not hold back. Her vulnerability is palpable on every page. I found nuggets of wisdom in every chapter and have my annotations to prove it. With her words, I laughed, I cried, and I found my own healing as I remembered walking through grief in my own life. I hope others that read this book experience the same.
Our grief should never be a story we hide. Though uncomfortable, we shouldn’t shy away from talking about it or listening to our loved ones as they process their own. Theo shows the power of speaking up about the very real and raw moments we each have or must inevitably face in our lives.
September 12, 2024
I really enjoyed this book, as it was just what I needed to read after my Mother's unexpected passing. I picked it during a giveaway because I was in a down/confused sort of mood, not knowing what to expect. I found it enlightening, and liked how the suggestions at the end of the chapters made sense. It showed how to do some of the suggestions like the list about your loved one. I also found it reassuring that everyone grieves in a different way, and we all take different amounts of time to get there. Ms. Boyd did a service to those of us who are grieving and not necessarily knowing what that's supposed to look like, because my grief is not like yours. I would recommend this book to those who have lost a love one as it was reassuring to me, and helped fill the void when I had questions/thoughts that I couldn't ask the one person I'd always turned to when something unexpected has happened, my Mom.
December 19, 2024
i watched theo write this book in the upstairs corner of overflow almost every day for so long. if i had known that this was what she was writing i would have given her all of her trio plates for free. knowing the people and places that theo talks about was gut wrenching, but it was beautiful to have a glimpse into what was happening in the lives of people i was surrounded by at this same time. i often talk about hill county in a not so positive light, but reading this just reminded me how lucky i’ve been to grow up in such a small place with such a loving community. i am so glad that some of the same people that have loved me and my loved ones so well have loved theo when she needed them too. beautiful.
August 3, 2024
Thanks to the publisher sending a copy through a Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ giveaway.
Unfortunately, I was underwhelmed. The book seems to be part exploration of complicated grief, part memoir, and part tribute. Those content areas are weirdly mashed together and several times the jump was so abrupt I thought I'd accidentally skipped a page.
I was also a bit put off at the tone of some type of competitive loss/grief - "my loss/grief is harder than yours, you couldn't understand."
I have no doubt that it was good for the author to get her thoughts and feelings on paper, but it is just not worthy of a published book (imho).
Unfortunately, I was underwhelmed. The book seems to be part exploration of complicated grief, part memoir, and part tribute. Those content areas are weirdly mashed together and several times the jump was so abrupt I thought I'd accidentally skipped a page.
I was also a bit put off at the tone of some type of competitive loss/grief - "my loss/grief is harder than yours, you couldn't understand."
I have no doubt that it was good for the author to get her thoughts and feelings on paper, but it is just not worthy of a published book (imho).
April 25, 2024
Enjoyed this read. She’s processing the grief of traumatically losing both parents, and she expresses that beautifully. Some practical tips and a lot of life experiences. Overall I enjoy reading about people’s grief journeys, so I enjoyed it. But it’s real heavy.
December 30, 2024
Although both of my parents are still alive I could very much relate to the grief as well as the post loss experiences with the people in our lives. Having lost a daughter nearly 16-years ago I found that I still made a connection to the book.
July 2, 2023
Good book about grief.
March 6, 2024
It’s not how much ground we lose; it’s how we get up from the ground and keep walking forward.
July 4, 2024
I recently lost both of my parents 2 years apart.
I can relate.
Thanks to Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ and the author for my signed copy.
I can relate.
Thanks to Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ and the author for my signed copy.
August 21, 2024
I found Theo Boyd's stories of her parents death compelling but in trying to merge that with a self-help book for some one experiencing the death of love one just didn't work for me.
September 30, 2024
i really connected with this book. she explores the linear dynamics of grief and how it spreads over time.
October 6, 2024
Wow, the heartbreak this woman went through, can’t imagine. I felt the same feeling in my grief experience. Great book excellent writing. Was so good I finished in less than a week.
December 28, 2024
It was better than expected but more of a memoir, don’t really expect a self help manual
April 16, 2024
Finished update: I would have never been ready to read this book early on in my grief journey. It was one of those divine intervention moments when the right book found it's way to me when I needed it. Boyd wrote in a way that I felt like I was in her world and a part of the family. Overall, there's so much of the grief journey I've been unable to put words, for that, thank you.
Not even three whole chapters in yet and I feel sooooo incredibly validated. Finally, after several years, there's words that match the feelings I felt early on in my grief journey after both of my parents died in 2016 and 2017. This book is wrecking me in the worst and best ways possible.
Not even three whole chapters in yet and I feel sooooo incredibly validated. Finally, after several years, there's words that match the feelings I felt early on in my grief journey after both of my parents died in 2016 and 2017. This book is wrecking me in the worst and best ways possible.
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