Resting Warrior: A Memoir of Grief, Survival, and Becoming

This is the updated edition with a revised subtitle and refreshed cover. Resting Warrior is a memoir, told in prose and poetry that traces one woman’s journey through profound grief, identity loss, and the quiet rebuilding of a life transformed by trauma. Told in a voice both tender and unflinching, Ruthie’s story unfolds in poetic and narrative fragments—each a glimpse into survival, resilience, and ultimately, self-reclamation. Spanning early childhood wounds, the unspeakable loss of a best friend, the long vigil of a spouse's terminal illness, and her own battle with breast cancer, Ruthie charts a path through darkness toward renewal. The poems in Resting Warrior don’t just reflect her inner world—they are milestones of her becoming. Each verse echoes with raw honesty, while the memoir passages provide context, anchoring the emotion in lived experience. This collection speaks directly to those who have worn invisible armor for too long—those who have carried others and forgotten to carry themselves. In these pages, Ruthie invites readers into her chrysalis of transformation, offering not answers but solidarity: You’re not alone.