Ralph Walls knows firsthand what it's like to deal with tragedy.

The Sarasota, Fla., resident lost his first wife to ovarian cancer and one of his good friends in the TWA Flight 800 tragedy in 1996. He also has dealt with the guilt of being mentally abusive to loved ones.

But Walls has turned both his grief and guilt into an accomplishment, writing a book, "Flowers in the Crags," about the entangled lives of three people originally from Lancaster County.

Walls started writing "Flowers" on Valentine's Day in 2006 as a tribute to his first wife, Jean Rohrer; his friend, Gideon Miller, who died on Flight 800; and Miller's widow, Betty Herr, who is now married to Walls.

"Writing was the last thing on Earth I thought I would do," Walls said.

The story centers on Walls' relationship with "Gid," who was a pilot for TWA and formerly part of the Amish church in Bird-in-Hand, and Miller's wife, Betty.

Walls said he got to know the couple when he was living in New Jersey with his wife and attending the Baptisttown Baptist Church in 1980.

The two couples formed a bond and would meet at least once a year, even after they moved to different parts of the country.

Then, on July 17, 1996, TWA Flight 800 blew up shortly after takeoff from New York, killing all 230 passengers onboard, one of whom was Miller.

Walls said he saw the pictures on the news.

"My heart sunk, and I knew it was (Gid)," Walls said.

Later, he heard from Betty, who confirmed that Gid was on the plane.

Walls and his wife continued to stay in contact with Betty, who was living in Florida. At the same time, Walls' wife was dealing with ovarian cancer.

Doctors had given Jean, who was born in New Danville, no more than six months to live. She ended up surviving for more than five years.

As she was dying, Walls said his wife made a powerful request — that he should look up Betty and try to start a relationship with her.

Walls said he was shocked, but he eventually followed through.

"What do you say to your wife when she makes a request like that while she's still alive?" Walls said.

A year after Jean died, Walls was contacted by Betty, and they made arrangements to meet.

In a short time, the long-time friends were dating, and a romance was kindled. They married a few years ago and live in Florida.

Walls said he felt he needed to write down his emotions about Betty when they were dating, and he did — filling four journals.

He used those journals, along with research and interviews he did about Miller's life in Lancaster County, to craft "Flowers in the Crags."

Walls said he wrote the book as a tool about abuse, the grieving process with a loss of life and ways to battle cancer. He said the book also is an invitation and a prayer.

"I didn't think I could cry that hard when I wrote," Walls said. "It's like a fairy-tale story with a lot of crying."

"Flowers in the Crags" is published by Xulon Press and can be purchased at www.xulonpress.com.

It soon will be available in local bookstores.

E-mail: myoder@lnpnews.com