I enjoyed reading this memoir. In 1994 a her husband and son were hit by lighting during a sudden thunderstorm. The essays were written at different times so the book is not one continuing story and there are time changes. The essays follow the author from the initial shock of the accident, through the stages of grief to acceptance. The essays are beautifully written.

Nancy Freund Bills wrote "The Red Ribbon" as a tribute to her late husband. Through a series of essays, she tells the story of a lightning accident that claimed his life and injured her son in the summer of 1994. The book also describes the grief she felt about her husband's death and how she copes with the deaths of other loved ones, including her parents, in future years.
I enjoyed the author's honesty. She's fairly candid about her feelings as she copes with grief and adjusts to life after her husband's death. The chapters are a bit disjointed, though, since each one is an essay that's capable of standing on its own. In several places, I felt confused about the timeline and felt like I had whiplash as she swings back and forth between the present time and years in the past.
If you're looking for a traditional memoir that tells the author's story chronologically, this book isn't for you. However, "The Red Ribbon" can help readers navigate grief and remember that they are not alone as they mourn loved ones and face regrets. For this reason, I would give this book 3.5 stars.