About the Book of Stories

 

ORIGIN STORY

When my husband, Brad, died, it wasn't flowers or food that I wanted.

It was stories.

I wanted people to tell me their own stories of Brad. Like that time in high school when he had a coke can tossed at his face, leaving the tiny scar above his lip. Or the hours he and his college roommate wasted trying to one-up each other playing Madden Football. Or the hilarious — and somewhat inappropriate — relationship advice he gave to friends after their engagement.

I created the Book of Stories for selfish reasons — simply, I wanted more stories of Brad. But since putting this out into the world, I’ve had the honor of getting a tiny glimpse into the life of the person you’ve lost. People have created books for:

  • The young kids who will grow up without their dad.

  • The friend who is getting married without her brother.

  • The mom in hospice who wants to hear her impact before she dies.

  • The hockey legend whose team is still sharing stories, 50 years later.

  • The widow who just wants to hear more about her husband.

Each story — from the toasts, to the tributes, to the hilarious inside jokes — brings your person to life on the page. Each story, another acknowledgment that your person lived.

There really is no better gift to honor a person you lost than the gift of stories.

 

About the Founder

In addition to creating the Book of Stories, Dana is the Founder of the Forced Joy Project, an organization that supports those who have lost loved ones. She helps grievers connect as they navigate the complexities of life after loss in her online membership program, the Forced Joy Club. She is the co-founder of Widows in the Wild and facilitates retreats both at home and abroad. She shares her experience and lessons on loss, in her Substack, I’m Fine (& Other Lies).

Despite her fair amount of grief, including a cancer diagnosis of her own, the death of her husband Brad, and the loss of her dad, Dana lives a joyful life along the shores of Northern Michigan. Her free time is spent hiking with her dog, year-round dips in the lake, and hunting for the perfect Leland Blue stone. When she’s not introverting at home, she and her partner enjoy traveling to far-off destinations around the world.

Dana is currently working on a book to capture her own stories.

 

THANK YOU

Thank you to the community of the Forced Joy Project for financially and emotionally supporting the growth of Book of Stories. This platform wouldn’t exist without you. And a special shout out to:

  • The Brandts — Patti, Conor, Kyle, and Amanda

  • Amy Gabrielle

  • Evan & Alanna Hamme

  • Candis Lee

  • The entire #FrostPack

  • Nathan Hamme

  • Lisa Jackson

  • Susanna & Joel Hamme

  • The Potters

  • Dana Black & Jonathan Baude

 

TESTIMONIALS

"After my husband died, I wanted to find some way of recording stories about him for my young children to keep. I felt that this would be a way for them to understand who their dad was outside of being daddy. Dana was a pleasure to deal with and the end result is a beautifully bound and presented book of stories for my kids to treasure forever.” - Anna

“I can't thank you enough for having the idea to put something like this together and for doing the coordinating part of it. It's honestly been one of the best things I've done in my grief so far to honor him.” - Rebecca

“I am so grateful for the Book of Stories. I love being able to read about other people's memories of him and how he impacted their lives. The stories make me both laugh and cry in the best possible way. Thank you, Dana, for providing this invaluable keepsake.” - Meredith R

“I'm so grateful to capture these stories for my kids and so deeply wish someone had done something similar for me when my mom passed when I was 17.” - Annie