“Sometimes, you travel all over the world - just to come home to find it.” Those were the words of the first embroidery my Nonna & I made. I don’t think I ever really understood what that meant until now…

But I’m getting ahead of myself.

Hi, my name is Lisa; and I have a problem. I care too much…. now I’m exhausted, and a mess, and need some rest to heal.

I was a lifelong member of the area. I’m a Burrell graduate with (several) college degrees. I did everything I was supposed to: Got a job. Paid my bills. Stayed out of trouble. And then I got sick…

After a billion (slight exaggeration) needle sticks, CAT scans, ultrasounds, etc., it was determined I have SLE, a type of Lupus. And then I had my first stroke - stopping my career dead & putting me on Disability.

I recovered, mostly, and went back to work. By work, we’re talking 70-hour work weeks, on average, 9 months of the year. And then my mom was diagnosed with cancer. The diagnosis stopped me dead - as did sepsis.

So, fast-forward a bit. I went BACK on Disability and took early retirement from work. Mama had to start an experimental treatment (not covered), so I started liquidating my assets. We got almost 2 more years with her…

In March 2017, Mama passed. In April, the attorneys started Chapter 7 proceedings for me. In May, that became Chapter 13. In June, my daughter, my only child, graduated from high school. In July, I had my 2nd stroke (& found out the Trustee threw out my Bankruptcy). I once again recovered; but it was worse this time, took longer to recover, & I have permanent deficits.

Now, as I was recovering, Papa was slowly getting weaker. A lot of things happened over the next while, but then COVID.

Papa passed in March 2020, the first day Pennsylvania went into lockdown. He passed with a beautiful smile on his face, and his hand reached for what was surely Mama’s hand. His passing left me in the great big house alone.

Enter my big brother, Michael. He wants me to move by him and his family in Knoxville, TN. Well, East Tennessee was absolutely not on my radar. But he cajoles me, talks of all the things we can do together, then hits me with a punch to the gut. He has cancer; and is terminal.

So, remember when I said I care too much?

I packed up, sold my house, and moved to Knoxville. Since, we’ve seen how Mother Nature even doesn’t want me here; and now that Michael is gone as well, it’s time to go home.

They say home is where your heart is; and my heart wants its home back. Only problem: I am broke, like so broke I owe myself money. I found a rental in West Leechburg, with a yard for Cora to play, and a place for me to heal.

They say it takes a village, so I am asking you, My Village: help me go home.