CHARLOTTE, NC, April 21, 2010 – Local businesswoman
and writer, Kelly Buckley will officially kick off her book launch with a celebration event hosted by Xtreme Ice Center in Indian Trail, NC on May 15 from 5-8 p.m.
The event is planned to celebrate the release of her first book, Gratitude in Grief, Finding
Daily Joy and a Life of Purpose Following the Death of My Son. Mrs. Buckley experienced the unimaginable on
July 4th, 2009 with the unexpected death of her 23 year old son Stephen. Immediately following
his death, Kelly began to journal, in an effort to find “one little thing” to be thankful for each day while coping
with the tremendous loss. This daily gratitude changed the way in which she grieved, but also sparked reflections
on life, purpose and faith. Through heartache and humor, the personal story provides hope and a nontraditional path through
the pain of loss.
Her story is
now available to comfort and inspire others in her first book, published by AuthorHouse.
Gratitude in Grief and its accompanying blog, www.gratitudeingrief.blogspot.com were released in March, 2010 to immediate acclaim by grief
counselors and the bereaved for its cathartic and hopeful approach to grief.
Mrs. Buckley and her family and friends will officially celebrate
the release of Gratitude in Grief at the Extreme Ice Center in Indian Trail, NC on May 15th from 5 – 8 pm.
The public are invited to attend the event. Signed copies of the book will be available for purchase.
Kelly’s son Stephen was a rising
senior at North Carolina State University, and the goalie for the men’s hockey team. Since his death,
NCSU and the Carolina Hurricanes have renamed their annual collegiate hockey tournament the “Stephen Russell Memorial
Tournament.” The team also officially retired Stephen’s #20 jersey in November.
“Hockey was such an important part of Stephen’s life that it seems only fitting that we celebrate his story,
which is what Gratitude in Grief is, close to the ice,” said Mrs. Buckley.
In addition to the May 15th event, the book is available on Amazon.com and BarnesandNobles.com. It is already a bestseller in the “Inspirational” category on Amazon in Canada, Mrs. Buckley’s
native country. A portion of the proceeds of the book are being donated to organizations important to the
author, including St. Matthews Catholic Church and the NCSU Club Hockey Team.
For more information about Gratitude in Grief or to arrange an
interview or book signing event, please contact Mary Crotty of The Wordslingers at 704-968-8286.
