Ruth Hoffman Johnson recalls the first 50 years of her life. It is a poignant tale of love, joy, hardship, and tragedy. She captures the spirit of the early twentieth century when it was difficult for a young girl without parents to survive and thrive on her own. Orphaned at the age of 8, she had little experience to guide her life besides her own pluck and resolve. She had to live with one family and then another. Her life story takes off at the age of 21 when she takes charge of her life and moves to Pasadena, CA. With patience and perseverance, she finally meets the love of her life, Stanley Johnson. They buy a home and together birth and raise three wonderful daughters. Ruth’s story is one of living positively despite illness, love lost, and trying situations. Her story shows how she went about with love and joy, even in the face of tragedy, moving across the country to find her love and create the family that would mean everything to her through the second half of her life.