“What [Laurada’s] life teaches us is that true grit has a purpose, and that purpose is to make the future better for others.”
— Angela Duckworth, PhD, New York Times Bestselling Author of
Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance
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, and 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, a lasting legacy that 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.
In this poignant memoir, Laurada Byers reflects on a life redefined by adventure and challenge, inviting you to discover how resilience turns tragic loss into a purposeful mission.
If you read it, leaving a review or simply sharing it with someone who might need it would mean a great deal.
A Note of Gratitude
“To everyone who supported me through the writing of this book—whether you knew the story personally or not—thank you. This book carries loss, but it also contains love.”
L.