Gratitude in Motion by Colleen Kelly Alexander with Jenna Glatzer


Gratitude In Motion is the true story of Colleen Kelly Alexander. Alexander is a regular person like you and I--except she has survived some truly big challenges in her life. Alexander survived both a lupus diagnosis and brain surgery. Then, not long after marrying the love of her life, Alexander was riding her bike home from work when a truck driver ran a stop sign and then ran her over. I can't imagine surviving that, but she did. Not only, did she survive but she went on to continue her athletic challenges in various races. Gratitude in Motion is her story of survival through unbelievable life challenges--and is nothing short of AMAZING.

Through Gratitude in Motion, Alexander's story is told candidly and shows just how resilient a human being can be. I have a bit of a squeamish stomach when it comes to medical details so some parts were a bit too detailed for me. However, in telling those details, it is clear how much Alexander truly went through and survived. I have no doubt that this book could be encouraging and uplifting to other people who have survived deep traumas and need inspiration to continue to go on through further medical challenges. However, Gratitude In Motion is also inspiring to all of us who need reminders to see the gratitude and beauty in every day life. Alexander's story also drives home the need for us regular people to do things to help those around us--like giving blood. When she had her accident, they gave her 78 units of blood in just the first 72 hours after her accident, thanks to blood donors. At the end of this touching memoir, there is a section entitled, "How to Be a Hero." We can all be a hero in someone's life by doing basic things like giving blood or learning CPR. I would also add that Alexander had a lot of friends and family to help her through these challenges. It was wonderful to read how people helped stay with her and did other things to help when she was hurt and her husband had to go to work. I think it is also a good reminder to help those we know and love whenever we can.

I received a copy of Gratitude in Motion from Hachette Book Group/Center Street Books. I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for the book.

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