I’m Dr. Jerry L. Woodbridge, the author of Joy Overcame Sorrow. I have been an educator for over 40 years. There were times, as a teacher I was on the front line with helping children grieve the loss of a loved one. Originally, my goal in 2019 was to become a TEDX speaker about how ballroom dancing helped me feel unstuck and move through my grief.
For some odd reason, the group did not understand why I wanted to do this. They challenged me to write a children's book on grief. At first, I resisted, then I began to learn what was really involved in writing a fictional book from a 10-year-old girl's point of view on how she coped after losing her dad in a car accident.

I believe children need to read books written from their perspective, especially when tackling difficult topics such as grief and sorrow. I published my book, Joy Overcame Sorrow, in June and a companion journal, Joy’s Journal, shortly after. Joy records her memories, thoughts, and ideas about loss, heaven, and her beliefs and the journal will allow children experiencing grief to do the same.

Creative writing has always been a part of my life. As a child, I remember creating my very first book—a story with words and drawings about a dolphin named Jamie who befriended a little girl. Together, they played along the shore, and I loved every moment of bringing that story to life. My love for dolphins has stayed with me ever since. In more recent years, I’ve also enjoyed making a few laminated stories for my grandsons.

As a teenager, I wrote poetry, and journal writing became a regular practice. I think I still have the black and white photo of me standing next to a visiting poet in our junior high classroom while he reviewed my poems. I wrote articles for the Englewood High School newspaper and eventually served as editor in my senior year.

After graduation, I answered the call to become a teacher. There were periodic moments of inspiration when I found myself with pen in hand or fingers on the computer keyboard, recording my thoughts and feelings. I journaled as I carried my first child. I journaled and wrote letters to a birthmother through a closed adoption. I saved her letters to give to my son when he was old enough to understand the why of it all.

I became familiar with academic writing when I completed my dissertation and earned a PhD in Education with a specialization in Educational Technology in 2003 from Walden University.

I found clarity in writing, especially after encountering the loss of babies, my beloved husband, Dave, and other family members. I became a widow in 2004 when my husband died quickly from colon cancer. Three years after my husband died, I could no longer ignore my grief. Out came the journal! I scribbled all my thoughts on it!

Then, I was invited to attend a Christian Writers Conference near Indianapolis, so I brought my latest journal.

At this point, I had no idea what I would do with it, but then the widow’s devotional concept was born, and I began to seek out how God looked at the widow through the scriptures. I self-published Trading My Sorrows for the Joy of the Lord in 2010.

My journey with writing has always been a journey of healing. Each page I’ve written has drawn me closer to God, and my prayer is that my books can help others—children and adults alike—find hope in the midst of sorrow. I invite you to walk alongside me, whether by reading my stories, journaling your own, or simply remembering that joy can indeed overcome sorrow. Let’s take this journey together.