The following bio of the early life of St. Teresa of Avila is taken from Patron Saints Index.

St. Teresa of Avila

Born to the Spanish nobility, the daughter of Don Alonso Sanchez de Cepeda and Doña Beatriz. She grew up reading the lives of the saints, and playing at "hermit" in the garden.

Crippled by disease in her youth, which led to her being well educated at home, she was cured after prayer to Saint Joseph.

Her mother died when Teresa was 12, and she prayed to Our Lady to be her replacement. Her father opposed her entry to religious life, so she left home without telling anyone, and entered a Carmelite house at 17.

Seeing her conviction to her call, her father and family consented.

Saint Teresa of Avila is a Doctor of the Church.

A Prayer by St. Teresa of Avila:
O my God! Source of all mercy! I acknowledge Your sovereign power. While recalling the wasted years that are past, I believe that You, Lord, can in an instant turn this loss to gain. Miserable as I am, yet I firmly believe that You can do all things. Please restore to me the time lost, giving me Your grace, both now and in the future, that I may appear before You in "wedding garments." Amen.