Meet the Author- Lucy Johnson

Lucy M. Johnson is a retired United States Air Force veteran, information technology professional, business owner, and children’s author whose stories are rooted in real life, family, and resilience.

After a distinguished 20-year career in the U.S. Air Force, Lucy transitioned into the private sector, where she has continued her work in the information technology field and remains active today. Alongside her professional career, she is also a Pampered Chef Consultant and co-owner of Horseshoe Ridge Farms, a working cattle farm and Air BnB business in West Virginia.

Lucy and her husband raised three children and now enjoy life surrounded by their eight grandchildren. Her love for children, learning, and storytelling has always been present, but it wasn’t until later in life that she stepped fully into her role as an author. Drawing inspiration from everyday farm life, animals, and family experiences, Lucy writes stories that are both engaging and meaningful for young readers.

Although Lucy has always loved reading, writing, learning, and working with children, she did not become an author until later in life. When she did, her stories emerged naturally from lived experience, observation, and a desire to pass meaningful lessons to the next generation.

Lucy Johnson’s Books

Lucy’s children’s books are inspired by real-life experiences on the farm, meaningful family moments, and gentle lessons that help children learn about the world around them. Her stories are rooted in everyday life and written to feel familiar, comforting, and engaging for young readers.

Lucy’s published children’s books include:

• The Adventures of Bella: Lucy’s debut children’s book introduces readers to Bella, a friendly Kiko lamb whose life on the farm is filled with curiosity, connection, and simple joys. Illustrated by Lucy’s grandson, this story blends family creativity with real farm experiences.

• Bella, the Friendly Lamb: A remake of Bella’s story, this book highlights kindness, familiarity, and the relationships animals form with people and each other.

• Leroy Comes to the Farm: A farm-based story that introduces children to new animals and environments while reinforcing adaptability and curiosity.

• A Dog Named Rooster:  A heartwarming story centered on a dog with personality and charm, teaching children about acceptance and companionship.

• Virginia Fights a Bear: An engaging and true story that introduces courage and problem-solving through a child-friendly lens.

• Rooster Goes to the Doctor: A gentle story designed to help children understand that even big animals become scared when taken out of their comfort zone.  

• Bob, the Hitchhiking Praying Mantis: A fun, adventurous story inspired by real encounters, encouraging curiosity about nature and small creatures.

• Country Children’s Adventures: A collection of stories inspired by life in the country, highlighting animals, outdoor experiences, and real-life lessons children can relate to.

Lucy is also currently working on her first adult nonfiction book, which will focus on surviving an aortic dissection and navigating life, healing, and hope after a major medical trauma.

A Life Shaped by Responsibility, Service, and Family

Like many people, Lucy’s life followed a familiar path for years. She built a career, married, raised children, and balanced the responsibilities that come with each stage of adulthood. Her years in military service reinforced discipline, adaptability, and leadership skills that would later prove essential far beyond her professional life.

Some of the most frightening moments Lucy faced as a parent occurred when her twin daughters were involved in a serious car accident that required emergency surgery. Those moments, etched permanently into memory, reshaped her understanding of fear, vulnerability, and the depth of a parent’s love. While life eventually stabilized again, the experience left a quiet imprint, reminding her that life can change without warning.

At the time, Lucy did not know that an even greater test of resilience lay ahead.

When Life Changes in an Instant

On January 22, 2023, Lucy's husband suffered a Type A aortic dissection — a catastrophic and life-threatening medical emergency that required immediate and extensive surgery to repair his aortic arch. Until that moment, the idea of becoming a widow at 58 years old had never crossed her mind.

Her husband was healthy, active, and extremely health-conscious. Doctors had always told him he was in excellent shape. Yet suddenly, they found themselves in the cardiac ICU, surrounded by machines, specialists, and medical terminology they had never heard before and often couldn’t pronounce.

The hours turned into days. The days turned into weeks. Recovery brought new challenges, unfamiliar diagnoses, and lingering effects from both the condition and the surgery itself. Life as they knew it changed permanently.

Those weeks and months tested us in ways they never imagined. Fear, uncertainty, and exhaustion became constant companions. But through it all, they were surrounded by gratitude, gratitude for skilled doctors, for survival, and for the chance to rebuild life with what they now call “new normal.”

Learning to Live With the New Normal

Surviving an aortic dissection doesn’t mean life returns to the way it was before. It means adapting to a different version of life, one that includes ongoing medical care, awareness, and a deeper appreciation for time.

They learned more about health conditions and side effects than they ever expected. Some were directly related to the dissection. Others were consequences of long hours on a bypass machine. There were many things they had never even heard of before.

Yet they were blessed. Her husband survived. Today, he is enjoying life fully, even if it looks different than before. That perspective has changed how she sees everything: family, time, and the importance of telling our stories.

The Writing Dream That Waited Patiently

Lucy had always loved writing. Becoming an author was something she dreamed about for years, but I had no idea where to start. Like many aspiring writers, she had lists of book titles scribbled on paper, ideas she told herself she would get to someday.

“Someday” lasted a long time.

What finally changed everything was a conversation with Deborah Ann Martin, founder of Surviving Life Lessons. Deborah asked her a simple yet powerful question: "What are you waiting for?" Deborah shared how being diagnosed with cancer gave her urgency, a realization that time isn’t guaranteed and dreams don’t wait.

That conversation stayed with Lucy. Her heart skipped a few beats, and she knew it was time. She didn’t want to leave her stories unwritten.

From Idea to Author

Writing the stories wasn’t the hardest part. The real challenge was learning the publishing process, figuring out how to publish and find illustrators, and doing it all without going into debt.

Lucy leaned on authors who had gone before her. She asked questions, made mistakes, and learned along the way. Slowly, she figured it out and is still figuring it out. What once felt overwhelming became manageable, one step at a time.

And once she started, she didn’t want to stop.

Writing With Family at the Heart

One of the most meaningful parts of Lucy's author journey has been involving her grandchildren in the creative process. Her first book, The Adventures of Bella, was illustrated by her grandson Lucas, who was just nine years old at the time. His brother Liam, age eleven, helped with editing.

Creating a book together was more than a project; it was a shared experience that strengthened their bonds and gave them pride in contributing to something real. That joy carried into future books and fueled her desire to keep writing.

About the Book: Bella’s Story

The Adventures of Bella tells the story of a friendly Kiko goat named Bella who lived on the farm. Bella has a tan body, a white face, and a personality that draws people in. Every time someone goes outside, Bella is there to greet them, making people smile with her gentle and curious nature.

The story follows Bella’s life on the farm, her family, her animal friends, and their everyday adventures. While written for children, the story reflects real-life lessons about kindness, curiosity, and connection.

Many of the experiences in the book are inspired by real moments at Horseshoe Ridge Farms, where animals, family, and daily life naturally come together. Lucy shared Bella’s story in schools and other settings, where children can see themselves reflected in simple, honest storytelling.

Why Farm Stories Matter

Children connect deeply to animals and real-life settings. Farm stories offer a sense of grounding and familiarity while teaching lessons that don’t feel forced. They show responsibility, empathy, and the rhythms of everyday life.

Lucy’s books are mostly nonfiction-inspired, rooted in reality rather than fantasy. They offer children stories that they can recognize and relate to, stories that feel safe and genuine.

Expanding the Story to Adults

While children’s books will always hold a special place in Lucy's heart, she now feels called to share her experience with aortic dissection in a new way. Her upcoming adult nonfiction book will focus on surviving trauma, navigating fear and anxiety, and finding strength through healing.

She wants people going through similar experiences to know there is life after trauma. There is hope. There is happiness. And there is a way forward mentally, spiritually, and physically.

A Reflection on Resilience

Life doesn’t always unfold the way we plan. Sometimes it forces us to adapt, to grieve, and to rebuild. Writing has allowed Lucy to process those experiences and transform them into something meaningful.

Stories preserve lessons. They connect generations. And sometimes, they remind us that survival itself is a story worth telling.

Explore the Author’s Books

Lucy’s children’s books celebrate real-life experiences, animals, and gentle lessons that resonate with young readers and families alike. Her stories offer a meaningful way to introduce children to responsibility, empathy, and connection through familiar settings.

Visit Lucy M. Johnson’s Amazon Author Page https: amazon.com/author/lucymjohnson

Stories Don’t End Here 

Lucy’s journey reminds us that life continues to unfold long after the hardest moments pass. Healing, growth, and connection often happen when we share experiences with others who understand.

At Surviving Life Lessons, our community groups are designed to support people navigating life’s challenges from family changes and health journeys to personal growth and healing.

If Lucy’s story resonated with you, we invite you to explore our community groups and find one that aligns with your own journey.

Explore the Surviving Life Lessons Community Groups

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About the Author

Lucy M. Johnson is a retired U.S. Air Force veteran, IT professional, business owner, and children’s author. She writes stories inspired by real-life experiences at Horseshoe Ridge Farms, blending family, animals, and meaningful lessons for young readers. Lucy is currently working on her first adult nonfiction book focused on surviving aortic dissection and finding strength after trauma.