Finding Healing Through Storytelling
When I tell you Ms. Lydia Meredith had me locked in from the moment she opened her mouth, believe me.
The author, minister, and activist is one of the featured voices in OWN’s new six-part docuseries “Unlocked: Family Secrets” and her story is not just powerful, it’s transformational.
At 73 years young, Lydia is still radiating light, laughter, and wisdom after enduring what many would consider life-shattering experiences.
Instead of letting secrets and shame destroy her, she’s choosing transparency, forgiveness, and love.
And trust me, the gems she dropped during our conversation are ones you’ll want to tuck away for yourself.
Lydia Meredith’s Story
If Lydia’s name sounds familiar, it’s because she’s already shared her journey in her critically acclaimed memoir “The Gay Preacher’s Wife: How My Gay Husband Deconstructed My Life and Reconstructed My Faith.”
In it, she detailed the heartbreak of discovering her husband was gay after decades of marriage and the ripple effect it had on her family and her faith.
But here’s the part that will always amaze me: Lydia didn’t let betrayal or shame define her.
Instead, she turned her pain into purpose.
She went on to become a community leader, founded the Beacon of Hope nonprofit to serve children and families in Atlanta, and has spent decades advocating for LGBTQ+ youth who are often rejected by their families.
So when she speaks about resilience, healing, and forgiveness, she’s not just offering words she’s sharing the lived wisdom of someone who has walked through the fire and come out shining.
“Secrets Are A Prison”
One of the gems Lydia shared was: “Secrets are a prison and they will kill you.”
Whew. That hit me hard because so many of us, especially in the Black community, were raised on the mantra “what happens in this house, stays in this house.”
Lydia made it clear that silence only breeds shame.
By stepping forward to share her story on “Unlocked: Family Secrets”, she’s not only releasing herself from that prison, she’s holding the door open for others to walk out, too.
Forgiveness As Freedom
Let me be honest with y’all: forgiveness is something I still wrestle with.
Lydia broke it down so beautifully when she said, “Forgiveness is freedom. You can’t laugh out loud hating people.”
She explained that holding on to pain is like carrying unnecessary weight.
You can’t move freely, you can’t laugh deeply, and you definitely can’t live fully.
Once she let go of resentment toward her ex-husband, she said she was finally free to breathe, to laugh, and to love again.
A Mother’s Fierce Love
Another powerful moment came when Lydia opened up about protecting her children.
“A lot of what I tolerated, a lot of what I endured, was because my kids needed a stable household,” she shared.
Her sacrifices remind us just how deep a mother’s love runs.
And today, that love continues to blossom. Her youngest son is even running for mayor of Atlanta.
Lydia’s strength as a mom shows just how much family and legacy matter in her story.
Choosing Joy At 73
Despite everything she’s been through, Lydia isn’t done dreaming.
“I still want to find a life partner,” she told me with a smile.
She knows what it feels like to be loved, to laugh, and to truly share life with someone, and she’s not afraid to want that again.
Hearing her say this was a reminder that joy and love are not bound by age.
Healing clears the space for both.
Why Her Story Matters Now
OWN’s “Unlocked: Family Secrets” is giving us the kind of storytelling that heals.
Lydia’s journey reminds us that transparency leads to connection, empathy, and transformation.
And let’s be real, this is exactly the type of conversation our community needs right now.
Her father once told her, “Never give up hope. Keep the faith you have in God, and everything will be all right.”
Lydia is living proof of that message.
Experience every gem Lydia dropped. Watch our full conversation below.
Watch ‘Unlocked: Family Secrets‘ On OWN
You can catch “Unlocked: Family Secrets” on OWN, with the premiere episode airing Saturday, September 27 at 9pm ET/PT before moving to its regular Sunday slot at 8pm ET/PT.
Frens, Lydia’s story blessed me and I know it’s going to touch you too.
Drop down in the comments and let me know if you’ll be watching.
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