Sad Is Not Bad is an emo­tion­al­ly reveal­ing mem­oir based on ​“Dear Jer­ry” let­ters the author wrote to her hus­band after his death. It is a love sto­ry inter­rupt­ed by death that con­tin­ues with only more love.

While there are many ways to process grief, as a pro­fes­sion­al grief coun­selor, Har­ri­et Vogel had always rec­om­mend­ed writ­ing as a ther­a­peu­tic tool. Har­ri­et is also a Jew­ish edu­ca­tor, and found that faith and rit­u­al helped her and her fam­i­ly on their grief jour­ney. The author has added a glos­sary to explain Hebrew and Yid­dish words used through­out the book. In addi­tion, this book helps the read­er gain insight into ​“liv­ing life” with exam­ples of healthy rela­tion­ships, hon­est com­mu­ni­ca­tion, grat­i­tude, val­i­da­tion of nor­mal grief and var­i­ous cop­ing mech­a­nisms. Sad Is Not Bad — It’s How We Grieve After We’ve Loved helps one embrace their grief with the hope of healing.