In this raw, emotional memoir, Nate Bennett shares the blog he maintained to work through his grief over the sudden loss of his wife Shannon. He is surprised and comforted to discover a vast virtual community of support. His blog posts alternately poignant and of dry wit–eventually attracted tens of thousands of hits and a following from readers who hadn’t known the couple. This unique book gives the reader a window into the starkness of a widower’s grieving experience in real time. What comes through in virtually every post is his love for Shannon as he weaves in vignettes from their life together, chronicling their love story and his efforts to recover. And in the end, with the support of his virtual community and the strength he was able to draw from remembering Shannon’s wishes for him, he finds love again.
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“Not since Joan Didion’s bestseller The Year of Magical Thinking has a true story of great love and loss been told with this level of intimacy.” — Robert Hicks, New York Times Bestselling author of The Widow of the South and A Separate Country
Shannon’s Gift is the story of a husband devastated by the sudden and unexpected loss of his wife. This true love story within a love story takes the reader on a journey of survival and recovery with Nate. Heart wrenching, hopeful, and a life guide, Shannon’s Gift is a must read.– Bestselling Author J.B. McGee
The ending of your blog is what I imagine it would be like if Pandora stopped offering me the “I’m still listening” button. I’m so glad your community of virtual listeners helped you along this journey, and your story will no doubt help many, many others.–A Blog Reader
Back Story
It was Wednesday, September 7th when Shannon underwent outpatient surgery to treat a bone spur in her left shoulder. So began an unfortunate turn of events that has left Shannon at St Joseph’s hospital in Atlanta.The surgical procedure was performed successfully and Shannon experienced a routine recovery process. She was able to talk with the doctor about her surgical procedure and impart valuable wisdom on cupcake recipes with the patient in the next bed. She was cleared for discharge and the nurse gave Nate instructions to go retrieve the car so Shannon could begin the journey home. During the next three minutes, Shannon collapsed and lost consciousness. The staff at the surgical center performed CPR and restored her heart beat, and although Shannon regained consciousness, she never again spoke or communicated.Shannon suffered significant brain damage due to lack of oxygen during her collapse. After 9 days in ICU and after a number of attempts to provider her something that would aid recovery, Nate and the doctors determined that it was time to honor wishes Shannon expressed in her advanced directive and her life support systems were removed. 2 days later, Shannon passed away at 48.Those of you who knew Shannon know she was one of the sweetest human beings to walk the face of the earth, the best mom Reid and Spencer could ask for and a wife with the patience of Job. Shannon defined her life being in service to her family, her extended family and her many friends across the country.The early entries here are from Shannon’s time in ICU when this site was used to keep people informed. In the time since Shannon’s death, Nate has been using this site as a way to continue those efforts to keep friends informed about how the family is doing, but also to share his experiences as he works to cope with the loss of his wife of over 26 years. Thanks for reading.
Nate Bennett, Ph.D., is a professor in the J. Mack Robinson College of Business at Georgia State University. Over the years, he has won numerous awards for his teaching. He is co-author (with Stephen Miles) of two Stanford University Press books, "Riding Shotgun: The Role of the COO" and "Your Career Game: How Game Theory Can Help You Achieve Your Professional Goals." Bennett is the academic advisor to the COO Circle, a group Chief Operating Officers from the world's largest companies and most impactful non-profits. He is a frequent speaker and commentator in business press and has been featured in programs internationally at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Institut Commercial de Nancy, and Instituto Tecnologico de Buenos Aires. He is involved in the design and delivery of executive development programs for high potential leaders at companies including NCR, Coca Cola Enterprises, GEICO, Lockheed Martin, CHS, United Health Group, and GE. He has an active practice as a consultant on issues related to top management team performance, innovation and change management, and strategy execution. He also serves as a coach to early career executives. Bennett earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Tulane University and completed his Ph.D. at Georgia Tech. His teaching career began at Louisiana State University, and he spent several years as a professor at Georgia Tech. His recently released book Shannon's Gift, is based on the blog he started in the wake of his wife Shannon's unexpected death at age 48. He has two sons, Spencer and Reid, and resides in Marietta, Georgia.
Nate moved from Massachusetts to New Orleans in 1979 to attend Tulane University. He earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees there, but more importantly, met Shannon, who was majoring in studio art. They married in New Orleans in 1985. Shortly afterwards they moved to Atlanta where Nate completed his Ph.D. at Georgia Tech. Their first son Spencer was born the same month he completed his dissertation. In the summer of 1989, the family moved to Baton Rouge where Nate began his career at Louisiana State University. In 1993, son Reid was born. They returned to Atlanta in 1999 when an opportunity to join the faculty at Georgia Tech came through
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