The Stroke That Touched My Heart is a powerful work of inspiring non-fiction co-authored by Mia and Myrtle Russell, and self-described as the story of “How Gratitude Transformed a 37-Year-Old Massive Stroke Survivor”. In this harrowing true-life account, we hear the story of Mia Russell through a year of survival and recovery following a very serious and terribly debilitating stroke. The practice of gratitude becomes a central feature in the lives of Mia and her mother Myrtle, who had previously studied the benefits of journaling and practicing gratitude already. As Myrtle takes you through her and Mia’s experiences, there are lessons to be learned about being thankful, even in some of the worst times that a person can live through.

This is a truly inspiring tale of incredible hardship, but also in the power of belief and how you can cope with virtually anything so long as you train your brain to have the right perspective on it. Authors Mia and Myrtle Russell recount the tale through Myrtle’s honest and well-constructed narrative, describing everything from the moment the stroke happened, through more than fifty days in the hospital and then on into rehabilitation and therapy for Mia’s recovery. Readers who have illnesses and unwell family members, in particular, will find a lot of solace in the lessons that the Russells’ life experience teaches, and a combination of faith, prayer and learning the practice of gratitude shows just how rewarding life can still be. The Stroke That Touched My Heart gives hope to its readers and is a highly recommended read.

The Stroke That Touched My Heart: How Gratitude Transformed a 37-Year-Old Massive Stroke Survivor by Mia and Myrtle Russell is a beautiful and insightful book that chronicles the lessons and blessings learned by the authors while going through the most difficult phase in their lives, with Mia suffering a massive stroke that landed her in the hospital for fifty-two days. Their story is a blessing to all readers who will learn how to unlock the hidden gifts of practicing gratitude, especially if they have experienced a life-changing event, a loss, a trauma, a medical diagnosis, or a personal crisis. The book will teach readers how to practice gratitude and appreciate what is already there, and it has been proven by science that gratitude increases healing.

This book aesthetically combines spirituality with medicine, and I liked how the authors pull readers into their journey by adding Gratitude Lessons and Your Gratitude Story, which are very helpful when it comes to self-realization, self-discovery, and healing. The book is not just about Mia’s stroke and her journey to recovery; it is also about being grateful to the Universe for all there is and appreciating the gifts everyone has on a daily basis. The approach to a health topic has been well tackled and it teaches readers valuable lessons on life and living in a positive way. Reading this book is good for readers to reflect on their lives, and I think it will be nice to have a worry jar to put one's worries in and deal with these by being in tandem with the Universe. As the authors rightly put it:
'The more grateful you are, the more reasons you will have to be grateful.’ Let us start practicing gratitude for all that we have from this very moment.

A must read!! Awesome story that will give you the strength to push on no matter what comes your way.