from the book gratitude in motion by colleen
kelly alexander. copyright © 2018 by colleen kelly
alexander. reprinted by permission of center
street, new york, ny. all rights reserved.T
en months after I died, and
eight months after leaving Gay-
lord, I ran in the Superhero Half
Marathon in New Jersey. I did it while
using a walker, toting a colostomy bag,
and dressed as Wonder Woman—cape
and all! At the finish line, I was greeted
by Sean, who smothered me in kisses.
Since then, the colostomy bag has
been removed, and I’ve completed
dozens of races, sans walker.
What I endured was a nightmare.
But every time I cross a finish line,
I think of the strangers who literally
gave of themselves. In my mind, I see adiverse group of people—black, white,
and brown, of all different ages and
backgrounds—all conspiring to help
a fellow human whom they’d never
know, for no reason other than to save
a stranger’s life.
My injury also made me realize
just how lucky I am to have Sean. In
the darkest moments of being locked
in the coma, his voice soothed me. It
does to this day. With each step, I am
gratitude in motion.Since leaving the hospital, Colleen, shown at the Superhero Half Marathon (left) and with
Sean at the Cheshire Half Marathon, has competed in dozens of triathlons and marathons.rd.com 89co
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Drama in Real Life