Laurada: My Life of Adventure, Tragedy, and Purpose

Born into privilege in Bronxville, New York, Laurada Byers's early life included boarding school in Connecticut, world travel, and a marriage to the wildly charismatic and endlessly curious W. Russell G. Byers, an acclaimed newspaper columnist. Together, they built a home in Philadelphia's historic Chestnut Hill filled with laughter, cherished traditions, and a spirit of generosity.Then, in a single unimaginable moment, everything changed.After witnessing her husband's murder on December 4, 1999, Laurada found herself navigating overwhelming grief and an uncertain future. But instead of allowing loss to define her, she chose to honor Russell's passion for education by creating the Russell Byers Charter School. This lasting legacy continues to inspire and educate generations of students.Life would ask even more of her. Confronting diagnoses of Parkinson's disease and cancer, Laurada once again discovered reservoirs of courage she never knew she possessed, finding renewed purpose and the determination to keep moving forward.Heartfelt, elegant, and deeply inspiring, this memoir is a testament to resilience and the enduring power of love. Through extraordinary adventures and inconceivable losses, Laurada's journey reminds us that hope is not something we find-it is something we choose.Because, as Laurada learned, anything is possible.