Lera was the bright light in every room she walked into.
Beautiful, fun, magnetic. She loved the beach, music, dancing, and drives with no destination. She stood up for people. She empowered everyone around her. She was nineteen, and more alive than most people ever get to be.
She left behind two little sisters. Phoebe was one year old when Lera died. Lorelei was born after and never got to meet her. One day they will want to know who their sister was — through everyone's eyes, not just their mum's.
But this space is for you too.
Because somewhere inside you, there is a memory of Lera that has been sitting quietly for six years. Maybe it's been too painful to look at. Maybe life just kept moving and carried it along with you. But it's still there. And carrying it takes energy — more than we realise.
Telling the story releases it.
Writing it down, sharing it, letting it out — that's not just a gift to Lera's little sisters or to this book. It might be a gift to yourself.
No single person ever knew the whole of Lera. Every one of us holds a different chapter. Together, those chapters will become something real — a portrait of who she was, told by everyone who loved her.
An Invitation
As her mum, I know my Lera. But I'd love to discover yours.
Write as much or as little as you like. A moment, a memory, something she said. You can use your name, or not. There is no wrong way.
Only you can tell your story. And Phoebe and Lorelei are waiting to hear it.
