“Welcome to your WOW (Wife Of a Widower) and GOW (Girlfriend Of a Widower) home on the web! Whether you are dating a widower or are married to one, your life has changed dramatically. Not surprisingly, the life of a WOW or GOW is unlike any other. This site was created with you in mind…for support, encouragement, advice, sympathy, and sisterhood.

Please register for my WOW/GOW MESSAGE BOARD! Here you will be free to interact with other WOWs and GOWs (including myself!), ask questions, and otherwise share your joy as well as your angst with people who can relate! Your registration e-mail address automatically registers you for my monthly WOW/GOW NEWSLETTER as well! The newsletter is jammed packed with information, advice, and news you can use! Widowers are also welcome to join! Hope to see you all there!” ` Julie Donner Andersen

“A survivor's guide for wives of widowers, written by the ultimate insider!”

Sensitively written by Julie Donner Andersen, a WOW herself, the book is a clear and honest portrayal of the roller coaster ride of emotional ups and downs that most new WOWs endure. It includes reassuring quotes from fellow WOWs who validate Ms. Andersen’s research. The author also empathetically describes the heart of a widower and how the WOW can relate compassionately to his grief issues while at the same time, protecting her own sense of security, self worth, and dignity.

Best of all, "Past: Perfect! Present: Tense!" offers valuable and sensible advice about how to deal with WOW-related issues in marriage, such as what to expect and how to deal with guilt feelings, grief triggers, living with the past, interpersonal relationships with the late wife’s family and with the rest of society, becoming a WOW stepmother, and setting personal WOW boundaries. The chapter called "Embracing The Late Wife" is both compelling and moving. There is also a funny yet informative chapter devoted to how society can best approach a WOW, what to say and do in her presence, and what not to say and do.

Here’s what others are saying about “PAST: Perfect! PRESENT: Tense! Insights From One Woman’s Journey As The Wife of a Widower”:

"Past: Perfect! Present: Tense! Insights From One Woman's Journey as the Wife of a Widower" (by Julie Donner Andersen) is wise, insightful and candid; a clear and captivating look at the unique and challenging life of a "WOW" (Wife Of a Widower).. With honesty, grace and clarity, Mrs. Andersen offers a welcomed companion for the often misunderstood and amazingly courageous wife of a widower.

~Karon Goodman, author of The Stepmom's Guide to Simplifying Your Life

“This book is a "must-have" for all GOWs and WOWs, and is an excellent resource for counsellors, clergy and anyone else looking to expand their areas of empathy.”

~Susan Law Corpany, author of Brotherly Love, Unfinished Business and Push On

" Many self-help books have a stiff style with the author obviously lacking personal experience. This book is a welcome relief. As a therapist I would and have recommended it to other wives of widowers."

~Raymond Mark R.D., B.S.W., H.B.A. Psychotherapist/Clinic Director, Ontario, Canada

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