Hi! I’m Lisa. And this is my story – so far…
Early Years
Born in Chicago and raised in its surrounding suburbs, my childhood unfolded within the challenging dynamics of a blended family. With a chronically depressed mother and an alcoholic stepfather, I often felt like an invisible thread in a chaotic tapestry of nine children. As a middle child, I yearned for acceptance but found myself lost in the crowd of misfits, where love and stability felt out of reach.
My teenage years were marked by deferred dreams of college and a search for belonging that led me down paths of destructive choices and turbulent relationships. At 18, I was forced to leave home, married young, and, unsurprisingly, that marriage ended in heartbreak.
Young Adulthood
Becoming a single parent to three small children was a turning point. Determined to break free from the cycles of my past, I set out to create a better life. With faith, perseverance, and sheer willpower, I enrolled in college while balancing work and motherhood. Five years later, I proudly graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Special Education.
By the early 2000s, my life began to take shape. I remarried, embarked on a fulfilling career as a learning behavior specialist, and returned to school to earn a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration. For the first time, hope felt tangible, and life seemed to be on an upward trajectory.
Hardship
But life had other plans. My second husband, to whom I was married for less than two years, was diagnosed with cancer. Over the course of three challenging years filled with hospital stays and dashed hopes, I watched helplessly as he lost his battle.
Simultaneously, my youngest son, Charlie, who had been diagnosed early in life with Neurofibromatosis, faced his own fight—a spinal tumor that eventually metastasized into an aggressive brain tumor. Despite years of surgeries and unimaginable pain, Charlie endured it all with courage and grace. On January 13, 2013, he left this world, leaving a void no words can describe.
Joy Amidst Loss
In the darkest days, a light emerged. My first grandchild was born as Charlie’s prognosis became grim. While no new life can replace another, his arrival was a gift that brought solace during an otherwise comfortless journey. Charlie’s bravery became a beacon of strength, and his memory continues to inspire me every day.
Building a New Life
Grieving Charlie’s loss has been a complex and ongoing process, but over time, optimism has begun to replace pain. In 2015, I found love again and remarried. This relationship, though not without its challenges, is a testament to resilience and partnership.
Now retired from teaching and living in Northwest Ohio, I find joy in the simpler pleasures of life: time with my family (especially my two grandsons), practicing yoga, reading, writing, sharing stories, and taking long walks with my loyal dog, Athena.
Present Day
Today, I continue to navigate the uncharted waters of life. Adjusting to a rural lifestyle, exploring unique teaching opportunities, learning a new language, and embracing my role as a yoga teacher often leave me feeling uncertain about where I’m headed. But I’ve learned to take a deep breath, calm my mind, and trust that, sometimes, the way forward finds us.