On September 8th 1994, USAir Flight 427 crashed in Pittsburgh killing all 132 people aboard. My husband, Stephen M. Shortley, 37 years old, was one of the unfortunate people who died. This is my story of how I survived this tragic and emotional journey of belonging to a club no one wants to join. Widowhood. It is my tale of what it is like to suddenly have the rug pulled from underneath and still remain standing.

Joanne Shortley-Lalonde is now remarried and the proud mother of five children. She has written several articles for newsletters, newspapers and magazines. Her second book will be her depiction of suddenly becoming a step-mother trying to find a politcally correct way to replace that archaic implication that "stepmother" means evil. She still believes in fair tales and happily-ever-after endings.