About the Author

Laurie Tucker is the author of What Odd Things I Thank You For.  Mother of two, grandmother of four, she walks through life with her beloved and amazing husband.  Laurie earned a degree in French in three years, graduating summa cum laude. She loves dancing, cooking, reading, and sewing.

Laurie Tucker

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Laurie’s journey has been a roller coaster of horror, gratitude, despair, confidence, anger, doubt, and laughter.  Through it all, she has longed to share her story—to offer hope and encouragement to others who walk a healing path.  She offers her experience to shed light on what our society prefers not to see, and to proclaim the vibrant love that is available to all.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

You’re asking a Southerner to talk about herself?  Better pull up a chair—it may be a while. Can I get you a cup of tea?

Although I haven’t lived in the South for over forty years, I still sound Southern, especially when fussing at my children.  I’m glad my accent hasn’t completely disappeared; I cherish my roots.

I graduated from college in 1975, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa with a BA in French, secondary ed.  Although a year younger than Chuck, I managed to graduate fifteen days before he did. It was worth every steaming hot summer day, studying in an unair-conditioned dorm, to be able to marry him two weeks later.

We immediately moved to a large city in the Northeast so that Chuck could start graduate school.   It was there that I developed my intense dislike (and sometimes fear) of heavy traffic and tunnels under water.  I also became an aggressively defensive driver—a skill that has served me well over the years.

Our move to the Midwest offered the gifts of two children and their partners, four grandchildren, and three granddogs.  Having promised not to talk about my children, I will tell you that one dog is Houdini reincarnated—no fence will hold her; another is a sweet and gentle boxer who wrings her paws as Houdini escapes; and the third is an incredibly well-mannered puppy.

Over the years, I have been a stay-at-home mom, scout leader for both kids, church volunteer, substitute teacher, and wedding consultant.  For ten years, I used my profound love of order and detail to help bride after bride have the wedding of her dreams. And in case you’re wondering, yes, anal-retentive does have a hyphen!

I’m not a foodie, but I like to cook food with family history—my grandmother’s custard and her waffles (to die for and, possibly, of), Chuck’s mother’s brown sugar pound cake, his grandmother’s Moravian sugar cake and buns, my mother’s cheese straws.  I make a mean double chocolate mousse cake and an exceptional cheesecake. I like to entertain and have my guests feel welcomed and well-fed. I enjoy good wine.

I like to sew.  The most recent project–a weighted blanket–nearly cost me my religion, but it was for my grandson.…

I am a voracious reader and an avid dancer.  Chuck and I take ballroom dancing lessons and have danced for over ten years.  I come alive on the dance floor as in no other place.

I love children, baby animals, and birds.  I like to tend my flowers and trees. All are kindred souls.