Some stories find you at just the right moment—quiet reminders of what it means to love deeply and live fully, even when life doesn’t go as planned. For me, that story arrived through my dear friend and wish warrior, Susan Geoghegan, and her radiant daughter, Lorelei.
I first discovered Susan years ago on Instagram. Her posts stopped me mid-scroll—raw, funny, heartbreaking, and full of light. She shared her journey as a mother navigating her daughter’s rare mitochondrial disease with equal parts honesty and humor. Instead of despair, there was grace. Instead of bitterness, there was laughter.
We connected over our shared love of Shasta trailers, which felt symbolic—small, shining vessels of adventure and resilience. Over time, Susan found her way into the Wishbeads world, creating a custom bracelet for herself and Lorelai. That small ritual—writing down a wish, rolling it up, and wearing it close—felt like an act of hope in motion.
When Lorelei was born, motherhood looked nothing like Susan imagined. There were feeding tubes, hospital stays, and moments no parent ever expects to face. Yet within the heartbreak was a child who radiated pure joy and taught her family—and now all of us—how to live with courage, humor, and heart.
Live Like Lorelei isn’t just a story of loss. It’s a love letter to resilience. With wit and tenderness, Susan invites readers into the sacred, messy, and hilarious reality of motherhood—and the profound lessons of self-worth, belonging, and presence that unfolded along the way.
For anyone who has ever loved and lost, or wondered how to hold grief and joy in the same breath, this book is both a companion and a compass.
Grab a copy and share it with those you love.
PS. I had the pleasure of interviewing Susan on the Wishbeads Podcast when she was preparing for her Tedx talk. (I know, she’s incredible, right?!) Trust me when I say you will love her wit and wisdom.
Links:
- Live Like Lorelei: A mother’s story of finding herself through a little girl who was dying the day she was born.
- Episode 82 | Susan Geoghegan on Manifesting her Tedx Talk
