What happens when a mother must fight to save her teenage son from suicide, while also caring for aging parents with dementia?
In Echoes of Generations, Jesselle Christenson tells a raw, powerful, and unforgettable true story that will resonate deeply with parents, caregivers, and anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed by life’s hardest moments. Her debut memoir captures not only the personal challenges of raising a child with autism, but also the emotional toll of watching loved ones disappear into Alzheimer’s, and doing it all at once.
But this book is more than a story of struggle. It’s a story of hope, healing, and what it really means to be resilient.
Christenson doesn’t just tell her story, she invites readers to examine their own. Drawing on her experiences and a lifetime of teaching around the world, she explores the science of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the emotional inheritance we pass down, often without even knowing it. Her reflections span generations and continents, from the American military bases of her childhood to the international classrooms where she taught, to the home where she now lives with her husband, two little dogs and 22 cherished koi.
“The message I want to share is simple,” says Christenson. “Even in the darkest moments, there is hope. And when the system fails you, your strength and your story can carry you through.”
At 80 years old, Christenson is proof that it’s never too late to speak your truth, heal your family, and offer something meaningful to others.
Whether you’re a parent raising a neurodivergent child, an adult caring for aging loved ones, or someone trying to make sense of your own past, Echoes of Generations will help you feel less alone—and more empowered.
About the Author
Jesselle Christenson is a retired educator, world traveler, artist, and proud mother. She taught for the Department of Defense Dependents Schools, where most of her students were children of U.S. military members or government civilians. Her first assignment in 1982 was at the high school on Torrejon Air Base near Madrid, Spain, where she taught mathematics (Algebra, Geometry, Advanced Math, Calculus, Physical and Earth Science, and Physics) and coached tennis, volleyball, and track until the base closed in 1992. She then moved to Bahrain, teaching physics (International Baccalaureate, AP, and standard courses) at the Bahrain School—the only true international school she worked at, with students from over 20 nationalities and multiple languages. It was a memorable and beautiful international experience, as many students lived in the dormitory and were driven, focused, and eager to learn.
Her final assignment was with the DoDDS-Pacific District Office on Okinawa, Japan, where she served as the Science Liaison, responsible for curriculum training for science teachers. She also taught math classes for a semester at Kubaski High School before retiring in January 2002 and returning to the U.S. The students at Kubaski were all dependents of active-duty Navy and Marine personnel, or civilian employees.
Although she never earned a high school diploma, Christenson holds both a B.S. and M.S. in physics. Now 80, she continues to explore life with curiosity, creativity, and courage, enjoying gardening, tennis, and art. The cover of Echoes of Generations features one of her original works.
Jesselle Christenson's Global Book Network TV Premiere with Logan Crawford
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