About
Thelizabeth Boyd was born and raised on a farm in the small town of Whitney, Texas. Her unique name is derived from her grandmothers—Thelma and Elizabeth. In middle school, her classmates nicknamed her Theo. It stuck!
Theo grew up writing poems with her daddy, learned faith through hardship from her momma, and finished college late in life to become a high school English and Creative Writing teacher. She was awarded Rookie Teacher of the Year her first year in the classroom while continuing to write as a guest columnist for several local newspapers.
In 2019 a sudden and traumatic loss set the scene for her debut memoir, My Grief Is Not Like Yours. It was also the catalyst for her podcast, Think Theo, where she discusses complicated grief and the many layers of loss.
When she’s not writing, Theo can be found with her dog Manly by her side, walking the fields on the farm, planning her next podcast with a glass of wine, or enjoying an evening out with close friends. She and Manly currently live on the lake in her hometown of Whitney.
Featured Work
My Grief is Not Like Yours
A daughter's heartbreaking and tragic story of losing her parents—and hope for those walking their own journey through grief.
Theo Boyd had always been close to her parents. Her father was a Texas peanut farmer, rancher, and preacher; her mother, deaf from a young age, was the glue that held them all together. Then one summer day in 2019, everything changed when Theo’s mother died in a tragic accident on their family farm. As Theo began to process this loss, her marriage started to unravel, adding another painful layer to her grief.
Meanwhile, Theo continued to care for her father who was shaken to his core by the tragedy. Nothing could erase the agony he felt from losing his love and soulmate of over fifty years, and one night he chose to escape his pain by ending his life. Theo suddenly had to learn to live without the two people who were her constant love and support—her parents.
In My Grief Is Not Like Yours, Theo gives an unforgettable account of how quickly life can turn to grief. Beautifully woven, this book is threaded with memories and raw emotions that are seldom discussed. Theo shows readers how she endured the unimaginable. She walks beside anyone navigating through their grief, helping them feel less alone and guiding them to hope and healing.
Other Works
Awards and Recognition
- American Best Book Awards 2023 WINNER, Non-Fiction, Best Cover Design
- American Best Book Awards 2023, FINALIST, Non-Fiction, Cross-Genre
- Books on the Bosque, 2022, Non-Fiction Essay, First Place
- Books on the Bosque 2022, Poetry, Honorable Mention
- Books on the Bosque, 2023, Non-Fiction Essay, Third Place