Fingerprintz: One Woman's Journey through Loss, Love, and Very Little Babies

by Lisa Printz Roday

A candid look at the challenges, losses, and hard choices women face as they juggle work, relationships, and motherhood.

In this stirring memoir, Lisa Printz Roday begins her narrative with the sudden death of her forty-seven-year-old father. Rather than crush the twenty-one-year-old Printz Roday, it is the pivotal moment that sustains her in each new crisis she faces, including two harrowing preterm births.

With remarkable candor, a little dry humor, and plenty of heart, Printz Roday explores how the experiences that shake us to our core can make us stronger than we could ever imagine. She teaches us that grief, however heavy, can give way to grit and determination, fill us with a deep sense of gratitude, and soften and shape us. No matter where you are in your journey, this book will inspire you to stay the course to a place of light.

“In this poignant and deeply moving memoir, Lisa Printz Roday takes readers on an emotional journey through the heartbreak of losing her father and the personal struggles she faces as she and her husband navigate the challenges of starting a family. With raw honesty and subtle insight, Lisa Printz Roday explores the complexities of grief, resilience, and the unseen battles behind the lives of those who appear to have it all together. This powerful story asks the question: why do some emerge stronger from tragedy, while others are broken by it?”
—Tim Kaine, United States Senator from Virginia

301 pages, Paperback

Published October 29, 2024

About the author

Lisa Printz Roday is a former matrimonial lawyer who practiced in New York City for nearly 15 years. After relocating to Virginia in 1997, she created the March of Dimes NICU Family Support Program at one of the busiest neonatal intensive care units in Central Virginia. As its first Specialist, for over five years Printz Roday brought her personal experiences as a NICU parent to the role and became an invaluable bridge between parents and the medical team. Her work earned her recognition as the Virginia March of Dimes Employee of the Year. Her data-driven efforts to enhance the use of skin-to-skin contact between new parents and their tiny infants, also known as kangaroo care, resulted in an award-winning, published abstract and became the standard of care in hospitals nationwide. Printz Roday has been an entrepreneur and business owner since 2011. In addition, she has nearly four decades of non-profit board experience. She lives in Henrico, Virginia with her husband.

Reviews

[Fay Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chose to listen to the audio version of Lisa Roday's memoirs. Lisa is a compelling story-teller and it was difficult to put this book down. It's very brave to tell your extremely personal and private life story about loss and love and Lisa does it so honestly and raw. I am sure so many people could relate to her story. Although, I did not personally have pre-mature babies, we dealt with infertility issues that have similar struggles and loss.

[Tram Nguyen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A remarkably moving story about loss, love, and resilience. Through her storytelling, Printz Roday shows us the power of empathy - not just for others but for oneself. As the world becomes more challenging to navigate, this book is a reminder that we can do hard things, face challenges head on, and come out stronger.

[Francene Katzen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a beautifully written memior. I loved this book from the very first page. I have known Lisa for years, and had no idea she had gone thru so much heartache and loss. I highly recommend this 5 star book.

[Harrison Roday · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartfelt memoir full of lessons that will enrich any parent-child relationship or romantic partnership.

[Stephanie Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful, well written memoir about overcoming life’s challenges with resiliency and grace. Such an inspiration!

[RK Byers · Rating 5 out of 5]

surprisingly fun, considering how heartfelt.

[Kay Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful story with a perfect ending!

[Lisa Roday · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote "Fingerprintz: One Woman's Journey Through Loss, Love, and Very Little Babies" to offer my challenging journey as a companion for others to carry as they face their own obstacles. I hope you will feel stronger by bearing witness to my efforts to become stronger, be inspired by understanding my attempts at fortitude, and be lifted up by my hopefulness. Most of all, wherever you are on your journey, I hope reading Fingerprintz will help you keep walking.