BIO - A Bit About Me
Carla Ryan has experienced life from a Midwest upbringing, to early adulting on the West Coast to international living in Australia, and finally to a quiet suburb in western Colorado. Yes, there's a lot in-between. A few of the details are shared below. More are found on the pages of her books. Explore. Decipher. Surmise. And perhaps connect.
My (abbreviated) Story
BEGINNING
Carla Ryan was born in the Midwest, the oldest of five children. Her childhood taught her about taking care of the younger siblings and helping with any animals that found their way to the family home by way of her father’s pocket. Pork Chops, the piglet, was her favorite childhood pet… and King, their black Labrador.
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MIDDLE
As a mature, independent teenager, Carla drove across-country to California in 1974, her first solo car trip, to marry for the first time. The marriage only lasted a couple of years, and the painful experiences of that relationship became the basis for her first literary novel.
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Now in the “third season” of life, Carla is finally settled on the western edge of Colorado with her bestest husband, Mike. They have been married for more than twenty-eight years. Carla simply can’t imagine a better life partner. Their days are filled with laughter, friends, volunteer activities, writing, hobbies, exploring local restaurants, lots of reading, love, and more writing. She's not really ready to embrace retirement, but is getting closer to the idea.
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EDUCATION
Carla has been an avid student her entire life. While her desire for an advanced education paused for several years after high school graduation, she eventually found her way back to the classroom. Between a career, raising children, and other life challenges, it took seventeen years to complete her four-year degree. However, she persisted and eventually graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication. It was validation of the many years she worked in the corporate environment, most often in the marketing and communications realm.
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She continued her educational efforts and received a Master of Religious Studies, as well as dual ministerial credentials (including ordination), which eventually culminated in two Doctoral degrees (Religious Studies and Divinity). While seeking advance degrees seems to be complete, pursuing knowledge will never end.
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NOT THE END
Carla and her husband have been blessed with a blended family of five children. All are grown and self-supporting. There are now ten grandchildren to visit and cuddle.
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With so much activity and unlimited love, there’s no doubt that the adventures and stories will continue. Through each telling, each revision, a deeper version of Carla’s life will be revealed and shared.
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