Susan Lewis

Susan Lewis grew up in Arkansas. Now living in Pensacola, Florida with her husband and three children, she devotes much of her time to writing, volunteer work with Hospice and working with elementary schools. Her first book, "Goodbye, Mama" was written as a tribute to her mother, who died in 1994 from Leukemia.

This 133 page book, is a story about a daughter’s struggle, MY struggle during my mother’s battle with Leukemia. Even though we knew that she would never survive Mama still laughed and made me laugh while I took care of her those final months. Her strength showed through, her passion for life, her gift for the absurd but mostly the immense love she felt for everyone around her was truly overwhelming.

This is a collection of short stories and poems about our journey together, about how there were times I was strong enough to hold us both up and times it brought me to my knees. Yet, it was ALWAYS that smile that kept me going. It still is.

Mama ASKED me to write her story and I promised her I would. After she closed her eyes... I kept my promise.

About Racing the Past:

For thirty years, I ran from my childhood, never facing it, full on. Those dark, individual moments were put away with the door locked tight, yet somehow they escaped to haunt me. Memories of a tiny girl being dragged through a house by her hair, memories of tasting blood mixed with strawberry jam, memories of humiliation, rage and pure insanity. Moments where nightmares became reality...and in those precise instances, wishing I could muster up the courage to kill myself.

The past can collapse your heart and suck the joy from your soul. Those memories can take and take until there's nothing left but the dry husk of a person.

I finally stopped running, only to discover I had huge reserves of both strength and hope.