Bloom in Barren Soil
A Memoir of Creativity and Healing

What do we do when diagnosed with a debilitating disease? How do we cope and heal when our life revolves around perfectionism and control? What journey do we take with our pain?Susan Montgomery invites readers to wander through the beautifully cultivated metaphorical garden in her memoir. As she deals with severe ulcerative colitis and navigates the challenging terrain of two colorectal surgeries, Susan discovers the resilience within her spirit.Bloom in Barren Soil includes:An unfolding narrative as Susan turns to the creative arts—writing, painting, and learning to play music—as a sanctuary of solaceStories from her childhood that show the relationship with her parents, revealing growth and transformationVibrant paintings that blossomed from her brushes during her illness (available as a PDF and on CreatedBySusan.com/Bloom)Join Susan on this inspiring journey through her garden, where she learns to confront adversity, thrive, and ultimately bloom with newfound strength and compassion.This is an uplifting tale, reminding us that the human spirit can flourish even in the most unlikely of places.