“ Inspired by treasured family memoirs and musings, Susan J. Gordon’s work strikes a chord of connections in the hearts of her many readers. Many of her early childhood experiences were instrumental in shaping her lifelong love of writing. “Most of her pieces are about universal topics such as marriage, family life, parenting, being Jewish, family histories, and growing up in a family of divorce. Over the years, they were published in many well-known, popular magazines and newspapers. “‘Childhood is as fleeting as falling leaves,’ Gordon says, ‘and home is where we can find our way in the dark. There are no secrets in families— just things no one wants to talk about. The past is always present, I believe, whether or not we are conscious of it.’ ” — Anne Garry, former Managing Editor of Victoria “Gordon’s research on the historical context of relatives’ lives, and her explorations of family secrets and myths are models for the genealogical community.” — Renee Steinig, genealogist and former president of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Long Island