Laura Landgraf

Author, Activist, Speaker

  • Home
  • Speaking
    • Speaking Topics
    • Testimonials and Reviews
  • Bio
    • Meet Laura
    • Photo Gallery
  • Blog
  • The Fifth Sister
  • News
  • Tips/Info
  • Contact

June 12, 2020 By Laura Landgraf

Do You Have Leprosy? The Color of Skin

They pinched my skin, the tender underside of my arm, and asked if I had leprosy, their dark skin a sharp contrast to my own. Deep in the heart of east Africa we had been invited to open schools and clinics. Our family was the first white family this people had ever seen. They looked at my blue eyes and wondered if I was of the devil. We were an infinitesimal minority amongst a quarter of a million souls on that plateau. Though born in America, my formative years were spent in Ethiopia. My husband says I’m more African than American at heart. He’s right. But I had privilege even there, for … [Read more...]

March 23, 2020 By Laura Landgraf

A Sorta Eulogy

Grandma, Mom and brothers

I am an orphan in fact now, not by design, though I was that as well. My mother died Friday evening. Hazel Elaine Smith (Ewing), 90 years old, who said a year ago she hoped she’d fall asleep and never wake up and was ticked as the dickens when the sun rose on a new day. Then she fainted and slipped away. I hadn’t seen her in over 30 years. Mom: beautiful, vivacious, outgoing, idealistic, smart, brave, adventuresome, softhearted, who loved my father obsessively. Therein lies the story. In childhood, Mom lived with her family in the mountains, where they skied to school. The eldest of … [Read more...]

January 30, 2020 By Laura Landgraf

A Strong Woman Looks a Challenge Dead in the Eye and Gives It a Wink

I really like the sense of confidence of that word picture. The stand a little straighter, shoulders back, and a by-George, spunky wink. I must confess, however, that just as I am less than adept at the wit of a clever comeback, a wink is not generally how I have faced adversity. Mine is more the kicking and screaming as I’m hauled into adversity by hook or crook to find myself plonked on my proverbial tusch staring into the eyes of, well, a challenge of epic proportions. I mean, a little misfortune, sure. Luggage lost, delayed plane, forgotten appointment… Perhaps even the decimation of a … [Read more...]

January 8, 2020 By Laura Landgraf

The Long Road to Mercy

I’m an adventurer at heart, a trait I inherited from my dad. I adored our mule train explorations in Africa. I loved swinging onto my horse Mengustu’s back and trying a new trail. I met the most amazing people that way. I adored my pet leopard, Gifte. Exquisite was learning to fly, for my whole world opened up. I’m fascinated by new countries, new cultures, different languages. I raised two children. If that isn’t an adventure, I don’t know what is! I met a man later in life, threw caution to the winds, and moved to his city knowing only him. Nearly two decades later we’re still adventuring … [Read more...]

November 22, 2019 By Laura Landgraf

How My Love Affair Began

It all began one lovely October day on Kauai, 2011. Seated on rattan chaises my husband and I absorbed tropical beauty sipping a crisp Sauvignon Blanc. The sea sparkled, the profusion of color and scent tantalized senses. John picked up his book, but three stories below tanned swimsuit clad young people caught my attention as they carried oversized surf boards into the pool. This was no ordinary pool. Lagoon styled, it widened and narrowed as it meandered long and luxurious past waterfalls, lush foliage, and opened into large pond sized pools, before curving further through the property. Three … [Read more...]

October 23, 2019 By Laura Landgraf

New Beginnings

What will this day be like? I wonder. What will my future be? I wonder. It should be so exciting, To be out in the world, To be free. My heart should be wildly rejoicing. Oh, what's the matter with me? It has been a year to the day since my accident turned our life upside down. I find it fitting, in a full circle sort of way, that on this day we move into our new home. New beginnings, quite different from those of a year ago. That day when my eye was smatterized by a cat-o-nine-tails, and I instantly lost my sight, I turned away from my grandboys and roared into the sky, … [Read more...]

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • …
  • 16
  • Next Page »

Welcome! I am Laura…

Laura Landgraf AuthorI am thrilled to meet you here. I am passionate about my family, empowering you, protecting children, and stand up paddle boarding (SUP). Oh, and laughter. Lots of laughter.

Get My Blog

Enter your email below for updates!

Recent Blog Posts

  • In the Balance
  • Music
  • Weaving Grief and Loss into the Fabric of Life
  • Unraveled
  • How Big Is Your ‘But’?

As Seen In

Huffington Post logo USA-Today-logo insiderlogo ten to 20 parenting logo Elephant Journal Logo New-York-Post

Connect With Laura

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Get My Blog

Enter your email below for updates!

[footer_backtotop]

Copyright © 2022 Laura Landgraf · Contact · Web Design by Exposure One · Log in