A legacy of life, love and lessons: Woodlands author shares extraordinary story of ordinary parents

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- Not all heroes wear capes, and not all role models are celebrities.

That's why Woodlands resident Lorrie Parise was motivated to write a book about her parents, Biography of an Everyday Couple: Turning Ordinary into Inspirational.

"They were an ordinary, everyday couple, yet they were extraordinary," Parise said. "So many people out there think they live ordinary, everyday lives. There may be someone in your own family, neighborhood or community. They may not realize it, but they do make a difference in people's lives."

The nonfiction story is a honest depiction of dealing with death and having the faith to know when it is time to let your loved one go, Parise said on her website www.lorrieparise.com.

"The reader experiences the lives of Alice and Fidel growing up in the small hometown of Floresville and the major metropolitan area of Houston, both in Texas," she writes. "The romance tells a tale of love at first sight for the couple who met at an informal engagement party for Fidel. Yes, he was engaged to someone else!"

Parise said Alice and Fidel were in love for 64 years when Alice suddenly became sick with seizures and passed away within weeks.

"We did not know she had a brain tumor," Parise said. "The doctor said her mind was traveling back and forth in time."

That's how Parise began to write her book; a story told back and forth in time. But the format changed again after her father Fidel died within months of his wife's death.

"He died of a broken heart," Parise said.

Alice died Jan. 5, 2016. Fidel died Oct. 13, 2016.

"I wrote this book straight from the heart, because it was the best way to write the book," Parise said. "I think they would be proud of it. They always said to follow your heart, believe in your dreams … they really were an inspiration and a role model."

The cover art on the book was sketched by Parise's daughter Megan from a wedding photograph. Megan, now 22, lives in The Woodlands, just as her grandparents had since 1974.

Parise, manager of public and community relations at The Howard Hughes Corporation, will appear at a book signing and launch party 6 p.m. Thursday Oct. 4 at Glade Cultural Center, 2000 Woodlands Parkway. Books will be available for purchase for $15. A portion of proceeds will be donated to the Glade Arts Foundation.

The book is also available online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

As for Parise's next chapter?

"I want to write another book," Parise said. "A sequel. Because one way or another, life goes on."