Hi, I'm Lisa.  I'm a 44 year old single, working, Catholic mom. I work on the local psychiatric Crisis Team in our city. That means that I am a therapist - a licensed social worker - who works with the local emergency room to perform risk assessments on suicidal, depressed, anxious, psychotic people who come into the ER. I also work with people who are looking for detox from alcohol or drugs. I am active in my parish, and volunteer for various pro-life causes, including Pioneer Valley Massachusetts Citizens for Life, and Project Rachel.

My little boy is Nathaniel. He's 16 these days, into video games and basketball, and looking forward to making his Confirmation next Spring... and he's not that little any more!!! Please pray for him as he prepares for his Confirmation - thank you!

This is more of a photo album, than a bio.  If you really want me to ramble on about myself, go here for the "narrative bio"!

This page takes a couple seconds to load, as it's mostly photos. 
Just hang on, it's coming, it's coming! 

This was the day my son was born,
the best day of my life!
He's 3 hours old here!

Ok, I admit it, I really like this pic of me too!  
In fact, it's my favorite!  

This is in Orlando, bet you couldn't guess!
Just fooling around!
Dig the shades on that kid!
1994

9/97 - Nathaniel's school photo - 2nd grade
The handsome-ist boy in his class!
(At least I think so!)
And yes, he got his two front teeth for Christmas!

The ever dreaded Sears Christmas Photo!
This was 1994, I think.

"Spike"
All dolled up for the school photo
again. (not the Mafia!)
This time it was kindergarten.
9/95

"Mama Blues and son" - on vacation in
the Bahamas 7/97

(Gee, my hair is about a FOOT longer than that now!!
I never had it cut that short before - or since! LOL)

Looks like he's ready for college, doesn't it?
Nope, only 3rd grade!
November 1998

What a charmer, hey?
Fourth Grade Pic

November 1999

November 2000
5th Grade

November 2001
6th Grade

March 2000
(Nathaniel took this one!)

June 2001
(the RMV took this one!)

All dressed up to take Mom out to dinner!

Life has enough grief in it. There are enough things out there on the news to scare the stripes off a zebra! Listen - Padre Pio (St. Pio now!) used to say, "Pray, hope, and don't worry" - and I think that's some of the best advice I ever heard.

Look for beauty in every day! It's so easy to complain, fuss and moan and groan, isn't it? Have you ever had a journal or a diary? What do you write in it? All the misery and junk? Why? So you can fuss over it endlessly? Try this instead - get a blank book, or a just a notebook - and every day, for about five minutes, just write out one or two things you are grateful for. A nice thing that happened, or a beautiful thing you saw today. I don't care if it was something big or small, major or minor - you bought a house, or your baby smiled at you - write it down! Every day is filled with joy, if you just look for it! We are surrounded by blessings unimaginable, all the time. We just never take the time to look for them. We have to open our hearts, as well as our eyes, ears, and mind. We have to be open to grace - that ineffable power of God that is a gift that is as freely given as His love. And then you'll see the beauty that abounds around you, even in the toughest days.

I just like to have fun! But sometimes I have to make it myself, it doesn't just land in my lap!  Look for smiles wherever you go, and if you don't find one, make one! Or BE one, for someone else! Hey, be weird, and say hello to the lady in front of you at the store, or tell the next guy that you see with a cool tie, that he has a cool tie! You'll be amazed at how much fun it is!  And how many smiles you will create!

So, go, spread some smiles, hug someone for no reason at all, and go hang out in some sunshine, and have fun!

There are blessings in every day, for all of us, if you will just look for them! That's the trick, isn't it? Remembering to look for the blessings... 

Take care, God bless!

Lisa