Michael Allio He praises his faith for helping him sorrow for death of his late wife, Laura Ritter-Allio.
“One thing I’ve talked to other grieving and bereaved people is that visualization helps,” Michael, 41, shared exclusively. Us Weekly while celebrating his first children’s book, Where the Wild Heart Grows. “Whether it’s God or belief in a higher being. I know I’ll see Laura again, like, I know that. So that brings me relief.”
Laura died in January 2019 at the age of 33 after a courageous battle with breast cancer. After her death, Michael vowed to take care of their then 2-year-old son, James, and make sure he had lots of good memories.
“It’s all about what kind of stories am I going to gather so I can tell him? Because if he’s sitting there and I waste my way on the couch crying over his loss, I know he’s going to be sad,” Michael said. “One thing cancer has taught me … is that we don’t have time to pretend we have more time. You don’t have to be completely cured to start living again. Now is the time to get out there and find the kind of life you want.”
Over time, Michael managed to grieve, but also found hope for the future.
Her first children’s book is an emotionally rich story that explores courage, loss and the journey of growing up through life’s most difficult times. The stories also focus on accepting the different periods of life in the way of being.
“One thing I wanted to make sure I did was not to teach my son how to avoid pain, but to learn how to get through it and go with it,” said Michael. Us. “I’ve personified myself as a parent to him, I understand that I’m struggling too, and I think that’s created a very strong bond and a safe place for us.”
Michael Allio
Courtesy of Michael Allio/InstagramRaised in the Catholic church, Michael – a newborn he became the Godfather to his nephew – he said he goes to church with his son.
“My faith goes up and down, and it’s a journey, but what I know is that when I show up [my son]and we have discussions about Laura,” said Michael.
Michael – appeared in season 17 of The Bachelorette with Katie Thurston in 2021 before competing Bachelor in Paradise a year later – he is proud to say that his son is now in 3rd grade and is keeping dad busy with karate, baseball and basketball activities.
“He found his mother’s brain,” said Michael. “He’s smart, and he’s just a curious kid, and that’s something I always try to instill in him. Always be kind and always curious. Ask questions. Put yourself in the other person’s shoes. Don’t be quick to judge and be kind and gentle to people.”
Where the Wild Heart Grows is available online now.
