About The Author

WELCOME!

I’m Melody Ringo, author of this blog and the upcoming three book series, The Beauty of Imperfection. 

I’m so glad you stopped by to check out this blog and learn more about this critical and timely topic—caring for caregivers.

ABOUT ME

I currently reside in my beloved, adopted state of Texas. As many transplanted Texans like to say, “I wasn’t born here, but I got here as fast as I could!”

My high school sweetheart and I recently celebrated our twentieth wedding anniversary. Our only remaining “fur baby” is a quirky feline, affectionately known around here as “Mama Girl”.

Together, my hubby and I have two grown daughters (one on earth and one in heaven), and ten beautiful grandchildren (eight on earth and two in heaven), ranging in age from 2-1/2 to 19.

I recently retired early from the space industry to pursue my true passions in life.

Writing The Beauty of Imperfection and creating this related blog are two projects currently at the top of my current bucket list. 

After an eventful twenty year career employed by a world-class aerospace company (working under contract to NASA in support of the International Space Station program),  I decided at the end of May 2017, it was time for me to move on.

Now that my hubby and I are officially  “empty nesters”,  I am at long last happily pursuing my life long passion for freelance writing and editing. 

Although I have been a blogger and a published author of numerous articles and essays since 2007, this is my first attempt to write and publish a first full-length book series with an accompanying blog.

I am also a former full-time family caregiver who knows firsthand the struggles, challenges, heartbreaks, and rewards that go along with serving others in that vital role.

Because of my life experience, I know what it feels like to be broken by the heavy burdens that caregivers often silently carry. I’m making it my mission in life to reach out to other caregivers and offer them hope.

Did I mention that I have always been a very private person by nature?

I am usually not comfortable opening up to anyone other than family or close friends, much less inserting myself into my own writing projects.

So writing about and sharing this part of my personal story on a worldwide public platform is a huge leap for me.

But I feel the time has come for me to not only share my story but to reach out to help others who are struggling to serve as caregivers.

Perhaps you are currently a burned out caregiver (or you know someone who is) and could use some guidance or encouragement. That is the primary reason WHY I am sharing my story now. 

To read the overview of my full story, click on the drop-down menu next to the Blog button on the main page and select the HURRICANES AND HALOS post. 

WHAT QUALIFIES ME TO WRITE THE BEAUTY OF IMPERFECTION?

My qualifications for writing this blog and the upcoming book are rather unconventional, but solid, nonetheless.

I like to sum it up this way: during my lifetime, including my fourteen years as a caregiver, I have obtained a Ph.D. from the School of Hard Knocks and the University of Life—the hard way. And I have the scars to prove it.

In my case, “Ph.D.” stands for “Personal Hardship Degree”. THAT’s what qualifies me to start this blog, write the book,  shine my light, and share my message of hope and healing with the world. I offer no apologies, excuses or shortcuts.

I wish I could offer shortcuts around the major challenges of caregiving, but alas, in my experience, there are no shortcuts around what most caregivers face on a daily basis.

Believe me, if there were, I would have found them by now! It takes sheer commitment, dedication and lots of tenacity to hang in there when things get really rough. Unfortunately, they almost always do, somewhere along the way.

A SPECIAL INVITATION

It is my sincere desire and heartfelt prayer that on the pages of this blog or in my upcoming book, you’ll find hope and healing for your heart or for someone you love who is struggling to survive as a caregiver.

I invite you to join me on this journey of discovery and inner healing. It may turn out to be unlike anything you have experienced before. Then again, maybe not. 

All I know for sure is that the path that leads to this kind of inner healing is not an easy one, but it is available to anyone who is willing to take one day at a time and put one foot in front of the other until they find restoration for their battered and bruised soul.

Very few people have walked this path from one end to the other without giving up. I almost did. 

How do you know you are walking this path?

You know it when life kicks you hard in the gut, takes all your breath away momentarily, then leaves you wounded and bleeding on the edges of society.

You know it when you feel abandoned, lost or forgotten by those who have never walked in your shoes and you feel uncertain or fearful about what the future may hold for you and your injured or ill loved one.

It hits you hardest on sleepless nights when it seems that no one except God is listening to your heart’s cry and you feel that no one cares—and some days you wonder if even God has turned His back on you. 

I want you to know that I am here for you, friend. I am listening, and I have not forgotten what it feels like to be in your shoes. And truth be told, today I am still a part-time family caregiver for other family members on an as-needed basis.

I have purposed in my heart that for the rest of my life, I will be a voice for family caregivers who feel they have no voice.

That is my mission. That is my promise to you.

On this blog and in the book series, The Beauty of Imperfection, I’m offering you a helping hand, hope,  and healing for your broken heart.

Please feel free to share the link to this blog with any caregiver you know who may need encouragement.

You never know how it may impact someone’s life for the better.

We want to hear from you! Leave your comments here on this page or use the Contact Us page on the main menu to send us a private message.

You can also reach us on The Beauty of Imperfection Facebook book launch page by clicking here: https://www.facebook.com/kintsugirules/?modal=admin_todo_tour

Or, you can request to join our private Facebook support group to meet and interact with other caregivers here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2279325902312536/