IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND
LIN Book Review: "being HER now" by Clarice Gille-Theys.
After the sudden and devastating loss of her beloved husband Donovan, Clarice Gille-Theys found herself walking a path few are ever prepared for — the raw, unpredictable journey of grief – and the healing power of writing about it.
In "being HER now", she courageously opens her heart, inviting readers into her intimate process of emotional recovery.
Through writing, she stitched her soul back together, one page at a time. What emerged is not just a memoir of mourning, but a masterclass in healing, self-compassion, and resilience.
This book is for anyone who has ever felt broken, alone, or lost in the noise of their own mind. With disarming honesty, Clarice shares how she redefined “self-care” as “self-comfort,” writing: “Sometimes the problem with self-care is that it often feels like work … So instead of asking ‘What should I do to take care of myself?’ I ask, ‘What would make me feel safe and cozy right now?’”
She gently guides us through her evenings of switching off harsh ceiling lights in favor of warm lamps and candles. She teaches us to ask softer questions and make room for quiet rituals that anchor us to the present. But the heart of “being HER now” lies in its powerful reflections on forgiveness and letting go. Clarice doesn’t shy away from the uncomfortable truths of healing. She writes: “I forgive myself and release the hurt by forgiving … I know that holding onto old arguments is like carrying around a heavy bag full of rocks.”
These aren’t the words of someone trying to sound enlightened. These are the soul etched sentences of someone who has lived through the storm … and who now walks barefoot through the rain, softer, wiser.
This book also speaks to emotional boundaries and the often difficult task of reclaiming one’s peace. In her words: “If I want inner peace to be resilient and real, it needs to be internally recognised and intentionally refined … Peace is not passiveness or perfection.”
Clarice’s gift lies in how she turns the personal into the universal. Her pain becomes our mirror, her healing becomes our roadmap.
She writes with clarity, depth, and compassion — reminding us that healing is not linear, but it is always possible. If you’re grieving a loved one, Clarice’s words will gently guide you back to your voice, and her wisdom will linger in your heart long after the final page. ©LIN
You can buy her book at Die Muschel in Swakop or Contact Clarice directly at +264 81 278 5269
On the video: Over a coffee at the Strand Hotel in Swakopmund, François Lötter talks to Namibian author Clarice Gille-Theys, who has just published her sixth book titled: being HER now – A Memoir. ©LIN You can buy her book at Die Muschel in Swakop or Contact Clarice directly at +264 81 278 5269