In June, 2011, Susan Spencer- Wendel learned that she had amyotrophic
lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrigs disease, an irreversible disease
that systematically destroys the nerve cells that control the muscles.
She was forty-four years old with a loving husband and three young sons,
and she only had one year left of mobility. Susan decided to live that
year happily. She left her job as a journalist in order to spend time
with her family. She made seven different trips with the seven most
important people in her life. And she wrote this book, typed out letter
by letter on her iPhone only using her right thumb, the only finger that
was still functioning. This is a book that at times is obviously sad,
but also full of hope, optimism, a joy for life, and a sense of humor.
This is a book a book that focuses on life, not on death. It is a book
that will, like Susan, make you smile.