Lisa Nash is an almost lifelong Apple Valley resident. She was born in Orange County and lived with her family in Huntington Beach until she was almost 3.
“My parents had been visiting Apple Valley on the weekends — sounds weird, I know — and we moved up here in 1967,” Nash said. “I’ve lived in Apple Valley most of my life.”
Nash attended to Rancho Verde Elementary and Apple Valley Junior High schools and graduated from Apple Valley High School. She’s proud to be a Sun Devil.
She later took classes at Victor Valley College and attended Cal State San Bernardino. She’s been married for nearly 24 years, and has three children younger than 16 years old. She’s worked in special education for more than 12 years.
Q: What brings you joy?
A: Seeing my children learning, making good choices (hopefully), and finding that they have surprising insights about life. Also, I find joy in quiet unspoiled nature: no noise, no pollution, no nonsense! Mother Nature doesn’t care a fig about politics. She does things simply and there’s no argument about it.
Q: Any hobbies?
A: I am a Words-with-Friends junkie! This is somewhat ironic because I never cared much for Scrabble. I love to read, and drag my Kindle with me everywhere. I love jet-skiing and snow skiing when I have the time.
Q: What’s on your “bucket list?”
A: A trip to Europe to see Ireland, Scotland and the England countryside. I think I’d like to try sky diving at least once just to say I did it.
Q: If you could ask God any question, what would you ask?
A: Why do some people have so much struggle in their lives and others seemingly none? That’s an issue of fairness, but who am I to ask God to explain?
Q: Who are three people you admire and why?
A: My mom for raising five kids who all turned out to be decent people. I rolled my eyes a lot and mumbled under my breath as a kid, but now that I’m a parent and facing all those issues I have so much admiration for how she approached things.
My dad for his love of his family and all animals. He was a bit gruff, but hand him a kitten and he would just melt. His family being happy was all that mattered to him.
The men and women of the armed forces and law enforcement. They sacrifice their holidays and weekends, and sometimes their lives, so that the rest of us can go about living our lives without interruption. They are underpaid and underappreciated.
Q: Tell us about your sense of humor. Who makes you laugh?
A: My sense of humor is a bit dark and sarcastic. I can find humor in almost anything, and for this reason I can just crack up laughing spontaneously. I always loved George Carlin’s humor. It was raunchy, but always found fun in the most ordinary things, like Cheerios!
Q: What are the key ideas that form your values and outlook?
A: The world doesn’t owe you anything, so be a hard worker with a good work ethic; be honest and say what you mean without being cruel. Finally, take responsibility for your actions; if you broke it then you’d better do your best to fix it. Think before you speak; words can never be taken back once they are out.
Q: Tell us about your faith.
A: I believe in God, and feel that He has a plan for everyone. Everything happens for a reason, whether good or bad, and it’s all part of the great puzzle. There are times I wondered, “Why me?” But then when I look back on them I see that I was being led to something or someone and while I didn’t see it at the time, it now all fits into place.
Q: What are the top three issues facing the local community, and what’s your take on them?
A: I would say crime, infrastructure and job growth. I’ve lived in the High Desert for more than 40 years, and I’ve seen it change from the safe place I grew up in to one with a gang problem, among other issues. Our local cities haven’t quite mastered providing the infrastructure and services that are needed (a good mass transit system, road maintenance, etc.). There still seems to be too much small town, personal agenda politics and not enough of just pitching in to get the job done for the common good. Our unemployment rate here in the High Desert is still very high. There doesn’t seem to be enough diversity in the types of jobs up here.
Q: Have you ever had a close brush with death?
A: I am a cancer survivor, so I guess I would have to say that counts.
Q: What could the America of yesterday teach the America of tomorrow?
A: Don’t discard the basics in favor of the newest, shiniest technology. Sometimes simple is better. Slower doesn’t necessarily mean you’re being left behind, it means you’re taking the time to learn and appreciate. Finally, “old school” doesn’t mean obsolete!
Q: What are the charities that are close to your heart and why?
A: The American Cancer Society (obviously), and the ASPCA because I’m an animal lover. I admire charities that help people help themselves, as opposed to just giving a handout. This is probably not politically correct, but I feel it merits being said: Charity begins at home! The wealthy in our society who would rather get publicity from sending a huge amount of money out of the country to start a school might consider it would be better spent in buying books or supplies for the schools here in the U.S. or setting up scholarships.
Q: When you contemplate the meaning of your life, what do you conclude?
A: I can only do the best I can with what I have, and that will just have to be enough. You can’t live your life with could have/would have/should have. Do your best and let it go.
Q: Aside from the obvious, when you count your blessings, what are you grateful for?
A: The obvious being my family and my job, but I am grateful for the fact that I am still here on Earth.
Q: What would you want your great-great grandchildren to know about you?
A: I was stubborn and outspoken, but I always tried to do the right thing for my family.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like to say, anything you’d like to get off your chest?
A: At the risk of getting on my soapbox, I probably should just keep quiet on that issue!
Who would you like to see profiled in an upcoming Q&A? Drop us a line at News@AppleValley-Review.com.