The rich, the powerful, the influential and the innovators do not have a monopoly on life's tales. Theirs may be more glamorous and inspiring, but failure is as much part of human existence as success, and the fear of one is just as motivating as the striving for the other, and much may be learned from both. This is the story of Natalia, my mother. You could call her an ordinry person but I'm not sure exactly what that means or how it is measured. Hers has not been an easy story to write - I have heard Freud's rumblings the entire time. It is a personal story and I have been critical of Natalia but I hope it is of value.