After 42 years of marriage author Sheila Weinstein has to learn to live without the support of the love of her life, her husband George, who suffered with dementia for almost a decade. In "Moving to the Center of the Bed," Weinstein shares a journey of care and recovery that is wise, inspirational and beautifully crafted.

Her journey through loss and pain, dealing with loneliness and finding the courage to forge a new life for herself in her 60s, is completely personal and universal at once. "Life after loss is a new life," Weinstein writes. "Something not experienced before. Something that leaves the one who has lost in unexplored territory."

Where and how does one begin a new life without the love and support of the man who has been at you side for most of your adult life? Sheila and George met when they were 11 and 13 years old, respectively. To survive, Weinstein learns to feel compassion for herself, learns to be "self-ish" in the best sense of the word.

In the final analysis, "Moving to the Center of the Bed" is one woman's story. Weinstein cautions readers to find their own paths, but to recognize a few truths she's learned along the way. "I think it’s important to be very ‘real’ about our situations,’" she writes. "Okay, this is what happened to me. What do I have to know to care for myself in every way? What kind of shape are my finances in? Can I afford to stay where I am or do I have to move? Can I find qualified people to help me understand those finances and project how much I will need to care for myself for the rest of my life? Do what feels right to you and not what others, no matter how well intentioned, suggest you do is important. Listen to your heart."

Sage advice from an author full of heart and strength. Give yourself all the time you need to move on to the next chapter of life, she writes. "Accept your new situation. Wanting things to be other than they are is futile. Think of your new life situation as an opportunity to give to yourself a life of your own choosing. Be kind and compassionate to yourself. Don’t be afraid to take chances. Learn new things, go new places, and find new friends."

Finally, "learn what a wonderful human being you are and enjoy your own company!"

(Center of the Bed Publishing, New York, NY, 2009, $15.95)