A Pocketful of Happiness by Richard E. Grant

I started following a lot of new people during the pandemic and one of them was this actor, Richard E. Grant. He just appeared in my Instagram feed one day. He was walking alone in the countryside, and he was grieving. His walking, talking and conversations about grief spoke to me, and I needed to know more. I knew Grant as the star of one of my all-time favorite movies ever: "Withnail and I." And I had seen him in other movies, but I know nothing about his personal life, which is rare for me. So, I read his latest memoir "A Pocketful of Happiness," which details not only his impressive career but also the death of his beloved wife, Joan Washington, from lung cancer. The irony of this beautifully written book is that as Joan, a celebrated movie voice coach, was fighting cancer, his career began to soar. He drew accolades around the world from his performance in "Can You Ever Forgive me?" with Melissa McCarthy. He even was nominated for an Oscar for his impressive role. They were supported by friends like Nigella Lawson, Vanessa Redgrave, and Rupert Everett. But nothing could soften the blow of watching his wife of 34 years die. Their partnership, along with their adult daughter Oilly, was a beautiful love story. Before her death, Joan charged Grant and Oillly to find a way to move forward with happiness. Thus, the title of this book was born. Joan may have died at 71, but her legacy lives on in the love of her husband and daughter. This book offers an insider's view into a real-life Hollywood love story. Bravo, Mr. Grant. I hope you keep on walking and talking through the grief. To buy this book on Amazon click here.