Until I Say Good-Bye
My Year of Living with Joy
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4.4 • 389 Ratings
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- $7.99
Publisher Description
Susan Spencer-Wendel’s Until I Say Good-Bye: My Year of Living with Joy is a moving and inspirational memoir by a woman who makes the most of her final days after discovering she has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
After Spencer-Wendel, a celebrated journalist at the Palm Beach Post, learns of her diagnosis of ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, she embarks on several adventures, traveling toseveral countries and sharing special experiences with loved ones. One trip takes Spencer-Wendel and her fourteen-year-old daughter, Marina, to New York City’s Kleinfeld’s Bridal to shop for Marina’s future wedding dress—an occasion that Susan knows she will never see.
Co-written with Bret Witter, Until I Say Good-Bye is Spencer-Wendel’s account of living a full life with humor, courage, and love, but also accepting death with grace and dignity. It’s a celebration of life, a look into the face of death, and the effort we must make to show the people that we love and care about how very much they mean to us.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Journalist Spencer-Wendel discovered she was ill when her left hand suddenly became withered. As she struggles to come to terms with knowing something is wrong not wanting to find out, then not fully believing the doctor's ALS diagnosis she writes with courage and strength. When she gets the news, the 40-something author is in her prime, blessed with a great reporter job at the Palm Beach Post and loving family. Using benefits from an insurance policy, she quits her job and decides to take trips with her family and friends, so that she can have all of the amazing experiences she's put off and create lasting memories. She goes to the final space shuttle launch with her youngest son, having never been to Cape Canaveral, even though her home is only hours away. A few months later, joined by her best friend, she sees the aurora borealis in the Yukon. It's there that Spencer-Wendel's philosophy plays out, as it does many times more, as she briefly caught the lights before tripping and missing the rest. She is appreciative and grateful for those few seconds and banishes regrets. There are certainly moments of heartbreak that she doesn't shy away from, such as when she goes shopping for bridal dresses with her teenaged daughter, knowing she'll miss any future wedding. Spencer-Wendel's life will sadly be cut short, but in writing her story, she shows her family and friends how to go on, choosing happiness and love over fear.
Customer Reviews
Required reading
This book should be required reading for everyone. My New Years resolution was to "be happy", but moments after I got to work, that aspiration was shot down. It's so easy to get off course and unhappy. Susan puts it all into perspective, we should all learn from her. When faced with the worst possible situation, she's positive, inspiring and insightful. Thank you, Susan, for this gift for all of us.
Great Read, Wonderful Woman
I loved this book the moment I read the description. Susan writes of joy and lives a joyful life, when living in despair and anger would have been easier. This book is a breath of fresh air, and so comforting. Hands down best book I've read in years.
Sherry Mitzel
Amazing book. I saw Susan on the Today Show and knew right away I wanted to read her book. I've told so many people about it. It's truly a touching story. I laughed, I cried and I love this book. Best Wishes to Susan and her wonderful family. She is truly an amazing person. God Bless!