Name: Melissa Mager
Job Title: Field Training Specialist
Where do you hail from:
Born and raised in Lincoln, NE. (Left for 4 years in College)
Who are your early influences/who inspired you most:
My parents. They have always been my biggest advocates and supporters. They have always encouraged my sister and I to aim high on our goals.
What has been an unexpected detour/ greatest frustration/disappointment:
In 2002, I lost my mom to a short battle with cancer. This event changed me moving forward. This happened during my senior year of College. I have been able to move forward and learn to cope with this, however, it has definitely changed my life. Learning to live as an adult woman without her mother has been a challenge and even sixteen years later affects me at times. Through this difficult situation my sister, father and I have become even closer and bonded through the trauma of losing her.
Family life/hobbies /community involvement:
My family consists of my dad, younger sister and I. My family blended with my step-mom about 10 years ago. At that time I gained two step-brothers and have gained 3 nieces in the past ten years. I also have a passion for being creative, which I thank my mom for passing on to me. Painting and crafting is very therapeutic for me and I love being able to make crafty items for others. I really enjoy being an “aunt” to my closest friends’ children. Hearing “Aunt Mel” as they run up to give me a hug is some of the best parts of my week!
The quotation I live my life by is......
I have two that I really like and try to live by.
1. Grow through what you go through.
2. Strength grows in moments when you think you can’t go on but you keep going anyway.