Susie . . . WAIT!

About the Book

As a young child, Helga admired an older girl named Susie, and had told herself that if she were ever lucky enough to have a daughter, she would name her Susie. Helga’s dream comes true.

When, at age fifty-four, Susie is diagnosed with cancer, Harris resorts to journaling, not only to help her understand the horrific circumstances, but to chronicle these events in her life as well as Susie’s. Helga explores all aspects of their relationship ... the closeness of mother and daughter, as well as the divisiveness and disappointments.

Within the small but closely-knit Harris family, a matter of utmost concern is Ali, Susie’s fourteen-year-old daughter, adopted when abandoned as a baby in China. The matriarch, now in her eighties, finds herself coping with a granddaughter in the throes of teenaged angst, heightened by the possibility of once again being abandoned by her mother.

Harris writes with heart-wrenching honesty, revealing emotions that run the gamut from anguish, confusion, disbelief, frustration, to humor and hope for a miracle that she doesn’t really believe in. She rues the sins of commission and omission on both her part and Susie’s. But always, there is unconditional love for her family and their celebrations and traditions. Helga pleads:
Susie ... WAIT!

About the Author

Helga Harris was born in Berlin, Germany, and moved with her family to New York City in 1938. As a young child she dreamed of being a fashion designer. She attended Brooklyn College and graduated from Pratt Institute. Helga achieved her goal and designed in the fashion industry for forty years.

She moved to Miami in 1973, where she had her own fashion label. Helga taught fashion design at the University of Miami, and Bauder Fashion College. After moving to Sarasota in 1990, she was a design instructor at The Sarasota Vocational Technical School. Throughout her life Helga painted and has had numerous art exhibits in New York, Pennsylvania, Miami and Sarasota.

For the past fifteen years writing has been her first love. Her memoir, Dear Helga, Dear Ruth, was published, as well as several articles in The St.Petersburg Times, The Sarasota Herald Tribune and The Tampa Tribune. Harris has contributed stories to anthologies, including Doorways, Dolls Remembered, and various magazines. Her most recent collection, We Were There, was published by the St.Petersburg Holocaust Museum.

Helga Harris is a Co-Leader in a writing program at The Lifelong Learning Academy. (USF) She lives in Sarasota, Florida.