Mizpa

It's been a long, long time...but the thrill of writing and sculpting entire universes has blossomed in my heart. 
My name is Misbaa, and my husband & four children and I still live together in our small, cozy home in Monroe, Ohio. Mike is my high-school sweet-heart. We have three precious girls and a much-beloved son. We also share our home with 5 other family members: Patriot (German Shepherd), Ruby (Dalmation mix), Aspen (our in-and-out cat), and finally Marmelade (orange-mottled kitty), whom I credit for saving my life one day when depression overwhelmed me and I was at the lowest I'd ever been. 
Once my disability became too great to bear, I resigned from my position as a Respiratory Therapist of almost ten years and came home to my children, where I belong. All four are home-schooled, and three have special needs, for which they do take medicines.
In addition to educating our children and trying to maintain an atmosphere of healing here at home, I try to be as diligent as I can with meditation and studying the Buddhist teachings. 7 years ago, I joined the Vipassana Buddhist Meditation Temple in Huber Heights, Ohio, and became a student of the wonderful Ajahn Samak. It was there that I took the 5 Precepts in a small ceremony. There are all types of Buddhist lineages. I belong to the Thai-Lao/Theravada tradition, but I also study Tibetan teachings.
I see a physician monthly and take a myriad of medications. It's hard for me to remember some things, but as a way to keep my brain  young and sharp, I double down in my language studies. I'm something of a poly-glot, having spoken both German and English since birth, but I speak Norwegian as well. I keep a dream-yoga journal in German and another daily journal in Norwegian, so I can make sure I don't get too rusty!
In scanning 'In the Lair of the Draca' and looking back on so many positive comments, it breaks my heart that I was away for so long and disappointed my fans.  I plan never to do that again.