GALION — A Galion woman is turning a lifetime of personal experiences, resilience and
healing into a message of hope for others through her recently published book, The
Thread.
Lesley Gorrell said her journey to becoming an author was shaped by both her personal
life and her professional background, as well as a deep-rooted desire to help others.
“I was born in Ashland, Ohio, and after several moves with my family, we settled in my
mother’s hometown of Galion when I was sixteen. I’ve been here ever since,” Gorrell
said.
She has worked in Human Resources for more than 20 years while raising a family with
her husband, Todd Brown, who serves on Galion City Council. Together, they have four
children, several pets and are expecting their eighth grandchild.
“Writing The Thread came from my lifelong mission to help reduce suffering. It has been
a goal shaped by my own experiences and desire to foster healing and connection,”
Gorrell said.
The book is a collection of poetry that reflects both personal and shared experiences,
with Gorrell noting she has written more than 300 poems over the years. The process,
she said, often felt intuitive.
“I guess I feel like I mostly ‘stream’ my poems. The ideas just came to me,” she said. “If
you ever heard anyone say they got a ‘download’ or worked with ‘stream of
consciousness,’ it’s like that.”
Gorrell said the book was six years in the making, including four years of writing and
two years going through the editing and publishing processes.
Her favorite poem in the collection, By Your Side, reflects one of the book’s central
themes which includes offering support and connection during difficult times.
“It’s about holding space for others in their darkest moments and letting them know
they’re not alone,” Gorrell said.
She said the work is deeply personal and is shaped by trauma she has lived through.
“I experienced multiple instances of sexual violence starting at a young age, leading to
years of complex trauma, including depression, anxiety, CPTSD (Complex Post-
Traumatic Stress Disorder), and self-harm,” she said.
She said writing the book played a significant role in her healing process.
“Writing The Thread was very cathartic and eye opening. Things came up from deep
within that had been buried. It has felt like a release and has also helped me to find my
voice after a lifetime of silence,” Gorrell said.
Gorrell said that during her healing process, she learned a lot about how trauma affects
the human body.
“My body finally demanded rest, forcing me to slow down and recover. It’s important to
understand the effects of trauma on the physical body in addition to the psyche,” Gorrell
said.
She said that a health coach once said to her, “If you don’t speak it, you store it.”
“What we hold onto must be processed. There has been a surge of information on this
in recent years, and I encourage anyone interested to investigate it,” Gorrell said.
Through the book, Gorrell hopes to connect with others who may be experiencing
similar struggles.
“My hope is that the message resonates with people no matter where they are on their
journey and also somehow contributes to the work so many others have started,” she
said. “The Thread offers understanding and connection and is a reminder that healing is
possible when a person is ready and that support exists.”
The title of the book, she added, came to her years before the project was complete.
“The name The Thread came to me about seven or eight years ago. I ‘heard’ it while
walking into work. I knew it was important and immediately wrote it down,” Gorrell said.
The book is available globally through major retailers including Amazon and Barnes &
Noble, as well as thousands of bookstores and libraries. Gorrell said she also welcomes
readers to connect with her directly through her website or at local book signings.
She will be participating in an upcoming book signing at RavensCloak in Galion, where
she has found strong support.
“Not everyone is comfortable with my subject matter, but Brittany welcomed me with
zero judgement,” Gorrell said of Brittany Whirl, the owner of the shop located at 120
Harding Way West in downtown Galion. “After years of hiding, she has made it easier to
share my story publicly, and her support has been invaluable.”
Gorrell said she is looking forward to connecting with readers at the event.
“I’m very energized by connecting with other people and I am looking forward to all the
hugs I can share at the signings,” she said of her book signing that will begin at noon
and last until 4 p.m. on April 18 in the books section of RavensCloak.
For more information, visit Gorrell’s website at https://lesleygorrell.com/.
About The Author
