1. Movie Minute: American Sniper
2. Gov. Abbott declares Feb. 2 ‘Chris Kyle Day’ in Texas
3. DA: Any link between ‘American Sniper’ crime, PTSD ‘fallacy’
4. Prosecution expert says ‘American Sniper’ suspect not insane
5. Uncle says he, Routh smoked marijuana before shooting of sniper
6. Prosecutor: Ex-Marine, intoxicated, killed ‘American Sniper’
7. Widow of slain ‘American Sniper’ gives emotional testimony
8. 5 questions, answers about ‘American Sniper’ murder trial
9. After investigation, Navy lowers the official medal count for ‘American Sniper’ Chris Kyle
10. American Sniper Chris Kyle’s widow, Taya Kyle, on how to find joy after loss

Taya Kyle is ready to tell the rest of the story.

The North Texas-based widow of Chris Kyle, the Navy SEAL who became a household name because of the book and movie, “American Sniper,” is sharing her memories of life with and without her husband of 10 years.

“American Wife: A Memoir of Love, War, Faith and Renewal,” published by William Morrow, was written with Jim DeFelice, who co-authored Chris Kyle’s “American Sniper” autobiography, which was a 2012 bestseller and inspired the blockbuster 2014 movie starring Bradley Cooper and Sienna Miller.

After Chris Kyle and his friend Chad Littlefield were murdered at an Erath County gun range in February 2013, Taya went through a difficult grieving and healing process that is still ongoing. (The gunman, Eddie Ray Routh, was convicted of capital murder by a Stephenville jury in February.)

She ultimately felt compelled to write her story of life with Chris.

While he was widely known as the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history, with 160 confirmed kills, Taya experienced “so many more layers to him” beyond that of celebrated soldier, she said.

Another powerful motivation to write “American Wife” was Taya’s hope that the book might comfort others like her who are coping with devastating loss.

“It might be healing for some readers to know that they’re not alone,” Taya said. “Even if the book helps only one person in that way, then it’s worth it.”

Q: You write that, when asked if working on his memoirs helped heal him after his haunting Iraq War experiences, Chris would say no. You reveal that, if anything, it “reopened old wounds, maybe including some Chris didn’t even realize he had.” But did your book help you heal?

A: I agree with Chris that his book didn’t help at first. Writing it was hard. Only later, like every time we did a book signing, when people kept coming up and saying how much the book meant to them and how it helped them in some way, only then did it help him. Because he saw that people could be blessed by it.

For me, with this book, it was a little bit different. Yes, it was hard, but it also allowed me to put things down on paper. No longer would I have to try to remember every single detail of our lives together.

In that way, I could feel a weight lifting, knowing that now these memories can be preserved forever, not just for me but also for our kids.

Q: Do you think it’s necessary for someone to have read “American Sniper” and/or seen the movie to follow and enjoy “American Wife”?

A: I don’t think that’s necessary, because there are aspects of our story that are universal. It’s everybody’s story in some way or another. It’s every veteran’s story. It’s every married couple’s story.

I think one of the main reasons Chris’ book connected with so many people is that it’s real and relatable. It’s not picture perfect. It hasn’t been airbrushed. It’s just raw.

Q: You (an Oregon native) moved to North Texas years ago because it was Chris’ home. What keeps you here?

A: Texas is the first place I’ve ever lived where I truly felt at home. I just really love it here. It’s the people, it’s the atmosphere, it’s the land. It’s just a beautiful place to be.

I heard a great quote once from a military person. She said she cried when she found out she was being stationed in Texas and later she cried when she found out she had to leave. I thought, “That’s perfect!”

 

 

 

 

 

Texas gets in your blood. It’s just a good place.

Q: Healing and recovery being an ongoing thing, are you in a different place today from when you actually finished writing the book?

A: It’s still a process. I am continuing to heal and I am continuing to find my way. Some things have changed. I don’t have all the answers. But this is going to be a long journey. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.