Karen Lee b. 1942

My mother, Karen, was once featured in our local Ohio newspaper before I was born, under a headline describing her as the "Lady Bail-Bondsman." She still held that job at the time this photo was taken. What is remarkable about my mom is not that she was a woman working in law enforcement 50 years ago, but that she secretly battled bipolar disorder most of her adult life. Our mom cycled through manic highs and fathomless lows. Spending sprees, boundless enthusiasm, starting new things but rarely finishing them; these were the norm. She once bought me an entire drugstore display of mini-shampoos for Christmas. But despite her illness, our mom took great pride in her children, her life story and her many adventures. We lost her to cancer at age 71 in March. I love this photo of my mom, because it captures her spark, her verve, her strength, her style. She was quite a lady.