Forget Me Not A Memoir of Unbecoming

They told her to be resilient. She chose to be sovereign.

In a world that expects Black women to be endlessly strong, Julie S. Smith built a life of formidable achievement: a master’s degree, a seat at the civic table, a thriving community, and a sanctuary of chosen family. From the outside, she was a portrait of success. From the inside, she was a constellation of fractures—a childhood innocence stolen, a blueprint for love drawn from trauma, and a lifelong battle with a depression that hummed beneath every victory.

Forget Me Not is not a story of survival. It is a raw, lyrical memoir of unbecoming—a profound exploration of the grief that shapes us, from the silent erosion of self in failing relationships to the earth-shattering loss of a great love. With unflinching honesty, Julie dissects the architecture of her own life, from the bedrock of her mother’s fierce love to the fortresses built with broken bricks.

This is her final testimony, a bridge of words between a life lived authentically and a peace chosen on her own terms. It is a love letter to those left behind and a powerful declaration that the most courageous act can be to author your own ending.

A breathtaking read that will shatter you, rearrange you, and leave you contemplating the very meaning of a life well-lived.