Discovering the Miracles of Life as I Fight for My Own
Unexpected. Inspirational. Heartwarming.
Mysterious Ways is a collection of heartwarming, inspiring, spiritual, emotional, and seemingly unbelievable stories in the life of author Jay Gittleson.
A personal note from the author:
I wrote this inspirational collection of true stories, in a larger sense, to inspire readers to move from a sense of hopelessness toward a feeling of hopefulness. Whether someone is dealing with a life-threatening medical challenge, as was my case with end-stage renal failure, or any other physical, emotional or spiritual challenge, the shift to hopefulness is needed.
I looked outside myself while I was on dialysis and attempted to encourage older, maybe sicker patients who might never qualify for a transplant. It worked for me and it can work for you. I wanted to make them more at ease and in some cases the results were magical!
My “Gathering of Gratitude” event and my “Reconnection Tour” while on dialysis took my focus off of myself as I sought to acknowledge and thank those who had made a positive impact on my life. I wanted to leave my daughter with a sense of who I was and want readers to have a similar experience so that they can recognize those people in their own lives.
–Jay Gittleson
Despite suffering numerous traumas in his early life, including a triple murder in his family, Jay became a schoolteacher and loving father. Later in life, after starting a motivational speakers bureau to inspire youth across the country, he developed kidney failure. Jay, a Jewish man, had a vision to move his family to a town called Nazareth, Pennsylvania. He and his family were led to an evangelical Christian church whose congregation later worked hand-in-hand with orthodox rabbis who came to Nazareth to help save his life.
Throughout his almost three years on dialysis, Jay reached out and encouraged others in and out of the dialysis center. He launched a Reconnection Tour, which led him back to some of the people who had made a positive impact in his life.
Whether it’s the story of the homeless man who became his decades-long confidant in a subway station, or the friendship he developed with his favorite television sitcom star (“Rerun”), or the chance meeting with the estranged son of his favorite NBA basketball player (Manute Bol) leading him to search for his own father, these stories will leave an indelible mark on your heart.