The Road to Yesterday: A Memoir
by Maryellen Donovan
(She Writes Press, 9 September 2025)
For readers who found comfort in Joan Didion’s The Year of Magical Thinking, a 9/11 widow’s memoir of rediscovering joy and finding love again after the violent loss of her husband.
One sunny Tuesday morning, Maryellen Donovan’s beloved husband, Steve Cherry, lost his life in the 9/11 attacks—rocking her to her core, and changing her family forever.
Maryellen’s life and love with Steve was all she could have hoped for; in the wake of his death, she was inconsolable. But ultimately, she had no choice but to be strong for her two young sons—and even when deep in the grip of hopeless despair, she found solace in her deep faith and belief that, with the support of friends and family, she would eventually find love and happiness once again. Her route to her happy ending proved long and winding and full of obstacles—cancer, family conflict, even more loss—but she always found a way forward, no matter the setbacks she encountered.
An inspirational story that will provide hope to anyone who’s experienced unfathomable loss and loneliness, The Road to Yesterday is a testament to the idea that there is always a path to love and joy—if only you’re determined enough to keep yourself open to it.
AUTHORLINK: Hello and welcome to AUTHORLINK, Maryellen! We are delighted to have the opportunity to discuss with you your moving memoir, THE ROAD TO YESTERDAY. We found it beautifully written and compelling. We offer our condolences for the loss of your first husband, Steve. Tell us a little about it and the kinds of themes it touches upon.
DONOVAN: First of all, thank you so much for taking the time to read my story. I am really proud of it and I truly appreciate your condolences.
AUTHORLINK: How long did it take you to write this memoir? Did you rely on journals or diaries that you wrote at the time?
Was it a question of being ready after the fury of grief?
DONOVAN: It took me about a year. Believe or not, I never kept a journal or diaries. However, those early days and years will be etched in my mind forever.
AUTHORLINK: Amazing recall. We really enjoyed your writing style and the easy flow of your narration. That scene you described when you had an air visual of ground zero when you were flying to visit your mother-in-law, Sharon for Christmas, made us pause. It was so evocative. It is unimaginable how you must have felt.
DONOVAN: I have to admit, it took a lot for me to even make the decision to fly after 9/11. My 6-year-old son Brett was so nervous about it and to this day (he is almost 30) he still fears flying. I made sure I took the window seat and tears sprung to my eyes as I looked down at the chaos and rubble of Ground Zero.
AUTHORLINK: We loved how you touched upon ‘signs’ sent from loved ones who have passed over. We had chills when we read about Brett’s balloon returning to the front door. Can you tell us some more?
DONOVAN: The boys and I started a tradition after losing Steve. We would send balloons up to him on special occasions. We would attach a note on a white balloon tied with a red ribbon. On Christmas Eve, with my mother-in-law, we all watched the balloons go up to “daddy.” The fact that one was left behind hours later tells its own story. I’m only sorry that I didn’t take a picture of Brett’s balloon that said “I miss you daddy. Love, Brett.”
AUTHORLINK: What was your family’s reaction to your memoir; your friends? Even Steve’s ex?
DONOVAN: I would never have even begun to consider writing my story without the support of my husband and sons. They really pushed me to finally do it. They believed in me and the amazing story that they thought should be shared with others. Steve’s ex has no idea. We have zero connection with each other.
AUTHORLINK: What would you writing day typically look like? How many words would you try to achieve each day? Did you have any writing rituals? How often do you rewrite your manuscript?
DONOVAN: I was very fortunate to have two amazing ghostwriters, Gina Frangello and Emily Rapp Black work with me. From our first zoom call together, they became so invested and excited to bring The Road to Yesterday a reality. I would spend hours a day diving in deep from the very beginning. There were nights when Michael would come home from work, take one look at me and say, “Oh hon, you’ve been writing today.” It definitely took a lot out of me, but in the end, I feel like it was very cathartic. If you’re wondering how I came up with the title, Steve was a stock broker by trade but his passion was singing. Two months before 9/11 he went to Nashville and recorded a CD of 5 love songs for me. When you hear the words to The Road to Yesterday, it was as though he knew he was leaving me.
AUTHORLINK: How did you find your agent? Is she or he the same agent you had at the beginning of your writing career? How many publishers did you approach?
DONOVAN: Actually, my ghostwriters made the connection with She Writes Press. It’s been a very easy process with them.
AUTHORLINK: When did you first want to become a writer? Have you studied any writing courses?
DONOVAN: All I ever wanted to be since I was a little girl was a mom. I never imagined that I would ever be known as an author. It is still sinking in.
AUTHORLINK: Despite your incredible hardship after losing Steve and the loss of such a beautiful and fortunate life together, somehow you found the strength to keep on being strong for your boys. How long did that take you to start feeling that the worst of the grieving was behind you?
DONOVAN: In the early days after 9/11, I was in such shock and there were days that I couldn’t even get out of bed. I relied on my family and friends. Luckily with my strong faith, I finally found my way out of my dark hole and was determined to be present for my 2 sons, who desperately needed me. I vowed early on that I would make Steve proud of me and raise his boys to be the best they could possibly be. I am proud to say that I have done just that.
AUTHORLINK: You were also diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, which must have felt like a cruel joke. What would you advise our readers – who have gone through similar trials, and feel they have no reserves of emotional stamina or strength left – how to dig deep and find some secret reserves. Where did you find yours and who were your saviors?
DONOVAN: My mission with this book is to help that person who is ready to give up and doesn’t know how to move forward with life. Grief stays, because love stays. It gets easier in time, but it never goes away. For me, the grief I have experienced has shaped me into the person I am today. I appreciate every day, because I know that life can be cut short at any given moment. I let the little things go. I am grateful for the life that I have been blessed with.
AUTHORLINK: We were so delighted to read about Michael, your husband who you married in 2008 and happy for the blessings in your life. Do you believe blessings and tragedies are evenly distributed in one’s life? Or is it about perspective?
DONOVAN: With 100% certainty, I believe that everything in life happens for a reason. I am convinced that Steve sent Michael to me. Michael even feels like he is connected with Steve somehow. We will celebrate 17 years of marriage this July.
AUTHORLINK: Wonderful! Apart from your life challenges, what kind of setbacks did you experience in trying to become a published author?
DONOVAN: Because of the relationship I had with my ghostwriters, I really didn’t experience any setbacks. Again, I believe they were put into my life for a reason.
AUTHORLINK: What are you working on now? Do you think you might venture into more self-help or children’s? Perhaps you might try your hand at fiction?
DONOVAN: I am proudly able to call myself an author. This is it for me. I have lived my dream.
AUTHORLINK: Maryellen, thank you for the privilege of chatting with you today about your moving memoir, THE ROAD TO YESTERDAY and inspiring those of us with similar troubles. We wish you and your family every bit of success and health and look forward to reading more of your works.
DONOVAN: Wouldn’t it be wonderful to meet in person one day.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Maryellen Donovan was born and raised in Stamford, Connecticut. The youngest of four children and the mother of two sons, family is everything to her. Maryellen lives with her husband, Michael, in Hailey, Idaho—a magical valley she considers to be her true home sweet home. You can find out more about Maryellen here https://www.maryellendonovan.com/
