Gratitude in Motion: A True Story of Hope, Determination, and the Everyday Heroes Around Us
by Colleen Alexander, Jenna Glatzer
About:
It was a beautiful fall day in Connecticut when Colleen Kelly Alexander, a lifelong athlete, rode her bike home from work. She had survived both a diagnosis of lupus and brain surgery, had a fulfilling career, and was married at last to the love of her l:
ife. Everything was good as she coasted along, meeting the eyes of a truck driver as he approached the stop sign beside her.
He didn't stop. The truck hit Colleen, running over her lower body with front and back tires and dragging her across the pavement. As she bled out in the street, nearby strangers surrounded her and the driver attempted to get away. An EMT herself, Colleen knew she had to stay awake. "I've just been reconnected with my soulmate," she told the medic. "We want to have a baby. I can't die now. Please don't let me die."
Five weeks in a coma and twenty-nine surgeries later, Colleen survived. Rather than let the trauma and PTSD control her life, she became determined to find a way to make something positive from her pain. She decided she'd run again and dedicate her race medals to the everyday heroes around us, including the medical staff and blood donors who saved her life. Since then Colleen has run fifty races and completed forty triathlons, including four half-Ironman events. Now a spokesperson for the Red Cross, Colleen shares her incredible inspirational story to encourage others to take that first step forward.
He didn't stop. The truck hit Colleen, running over her lower body with front and back tires and dragging her across the pavement. As she bled out in the street, nearby strangers surrounded her and the driver attempted to get away. An EMT herself, Colleen knew she had to stay awake. "I've just been reconnected with my soulmate," she told the medic. "We want to have a baby. I can't die now. Please don't let me die."
Five weeks in a coma and twenty-nine surgeries later, Colleen survived. Rather than let the trauma and PTSD control her life, she became determined to find a way to make something positive from her pain. She decided she'd run again and dedicate her race medals to the everyday heroes around us, including the medical staff and blood donors who saved her life. Since then Colleen has run fifty races and completed forty triathlons, including four half-Ironman events. Now a spokesperson for the Red Cross, Colleen shares her incredible inspirational story to encourage others to take that first step forward.
My Thoughts:
"Gratitude in Motion" is one of the most inspiring books I have ever read. I connected with Colleen and her struggles on such a different level. I was in awe of her dedication to never give up, to keep fighting and to keep going. She is an inspiration to us all. I found her memoir to be heartbreaking, raw, thoughtful and honest. She makes no excuses for her life and will live it to the fullest. You can't get through this book without tissues. I think what I loved most about this book, is it will teach you how to be human again. It will pull you from the things that you think are important, and help you to re-focus on what is important.
I also loved the transparency and authenticity of Colleen and her husband. They both were willing to be so transparent in this memoir holding nothing back, which I loved. If you get queezy, she does explain the medical procedures, so you may not want to read all of it word for word. It didn't bother me, but it might bother you.
This book will help you fall in love with Jesus more and more as you seek what things are about His Kingdom and not yours! Grab this book. You'll read it in 3 hours or less. I read it in one sitting and loved it. I give this book 5/5 stars.
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