Cari Smith

Life lessons from a roofer’s daughter

Raised on Rooftops: Life Lessons from a Roofer’s Daughter is a heartfelt and humorous memoir by Cari Smith, chronicling her life as the daughter of a practical, patient, and quotable roofer. Organized into three thematic sections—”On the Roof” (daughter), “Off the Roof” (wife), and “Becoming the Roof” (mother)—Smith masterfully weaves personal anecdotes, family traditions, and poignant reflections into a rich tapestry of generational wisdom and working-class values.

The stories span the gritty and the tender, from hammer mishaps and driver’s training to parenting challenges and funeral reflections. Cari shares moments of laughter, tears, embarrassment, growth, and legacy-building—often from atop a roof or amid the chaos of family life. Her father’s teachings, from how to swing a hammer to how to live with purpose, serve as the emotional spine of the book, shaping her worldview and inspiring her own journey as a mother, wife, and teacher.

Through engaging storytelling and a tone that balances warmth with wit, Raised on Rooftops becomes more than a memoir—it’s an invitation for readers to reflect on their own foundations, familial bonds, and the small but profound lessons found in everyday life weaving together anecdotes that are at once touching, humorous, and deeply relatable.

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Want to book Cari on Your Podcast?

• Legacy Through Everyday Life
  • The most lasting legacies are built in small, ordinary moments.
• The Value of Hard Work and Grit
  • Work isn’t just about getting the job done—it’s about shaping who we become.
• Storytelling as Meaning-Making
  • Telling our stories helps us make sense of the past and pass on what matters.
• Imperfection, Humor, and Real Family Life
  • Life is messy, funny, and flawed—and that’s where the meaning lives.
• Generational Wisdom
  • The lessons we were too young to understand often guide us the most later.
• Becoming Through Our Roles
  • We grow into new identities—daughter, wife, mother—while carrying the people who shaped us.

Raised on Rootops is a celebration of family, the strength found in shared purpose, and the timeless value of memories crafted through everyday moments.

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Praise for Raised on Rooftops:

Raised on Rooftops is a true delight! Cari weaves together a collection of stories that truly illustrate the beauty found in ordinary days lived with faith. Cari uses her life to illustrate the lessons and the joys of family, faith and work in a way that makes you laugh, think and appreciate!

– Sheri Wohlfert, Catholic speaker and regular Faith magazine contributor

I love the way Cari weaves narrative, humor, reflection, and real life into every page of this beautiful memoir. If you’ve ever believed your family was the only one with inside jokes, wild stories, unexpected heartache, or laugh-til-you-cry moments, her storytelling will remind you that you’re in good company.

Raised on Rooftops invites you to laugh, remember, and maybe even heal a few things you didn’t know were still tucked away. Cari’s voice is honest and deeply relatable—you’ll find yourself nodding, tearing up, and recognizing pieces of your own story in hers.

This memoir is the kind that lingers and sparks conversations, and it would make a meaningful gift for anyone you love. I highly recommend it.

-Kristen Neighbarger, Author & Author Coach