Book excerpt: The San Diego Memoir Writers Association is honored to present the third volume of compelling true stories drawn from our annual Memoir Showcase contest. This year's winning selections address the theme of I Didn't See That One Coming. While these stories were written before the global pandemic, they offer reflections on how unseen events shape our lives. This bold and entertaining volume is filled with riveting stories such as being kidnapped at gunpoint and solving the mystery of a father you never knew, as well as lighthearted pieces about having the best sex of your life in your eighties. In the spirit of the Shaking the Tree series, this book goes there-unapologetically. You can't make this stuff up. In this edition: Elise Kim Prosser, PHD, Chili Cilch, Krisa Bruemmer, Kenny Sucher, Laura L. Engel, Elizabeth Eshoo, Nicola Ranson, Judy Reeves, Diane L. Schneider, M.D., Tina Martin, Sandi Nieto, Cindy Jenson-Elliott, Nicole Gibbs, James Roberts, Vincentia Schroeter, Kimberly Joy, Nancy Mae Johnson, Tania Pryputniewicz, Lauren Halsted, Deborah Rudell, Jennifer Gasner, Anastasia Zadeik, Marijke McCandless, Nancy G. Villalobos, Heather M. Berberet, Chloe Sparacino, Sarah Vosburgh, Allan E. Musterer, Eileen Mathena, Suzanne Spector