Alexis’s story is a story of perspective and how the power of gratitude can impact the course of one’s life – even for a young woman.  Alexis (shown above in the red sweatshirt), is a sophomore at University of Wisconsin-River Falls (UWRF) double majoring in Mathematics and Mathematics Secondary Education. She is a 2-year captain on the Women’s Lacrosse Team at UWRF where she is fondly known as “Tex”. Following her studies, she hopes to stay in the field of mathematics – hopefully as a high-school Math teacher. Alexis has a depth of perspective that is unique for a sophomore in college and her ability to see life through a lens of gratitude is nothing short of inspiring. So, with that…here is Alexis’s story.

If you asked me what I was grateful for I would say this…

I am grateful for many things, however one thing that I am for grateful for are my sisters. I am thankful that I have siblings that I can go to if I need help or guidance with anything that I need advice for or just to talk about what is on my mind.

My sisters are my forever best friends. I would do anything in my power to protect them from anything that could harm them in anyway. I would and always will stand up for them when they do not have the courage to or when someone hurts them through their words. They have shown me how to be a better person and how to be patient.

My youngest sister has special needs and is unable to walk and talk due to a rare genetic disorder called Hypomyelination with Atrophy of the Basal Ganglia and Cerebellum (also known as H-ABC). She has shown me that complaining about things is simply unnecessary and that I should be grateful for my abilities and embrace them. Through her, I have realized growing up that she will never have the ability to walk or talk like many other people. She is the reason why I try my best to push myself in everything that I do, because I think about how she won’t get the same opportunity to do the things I have done and been doing all of my life. I want to show her that she CAN do them, but in different ways.

It is called being adaptable. Through her I have noticed how you have to be cognizant of the unexpected. One thing I admire about her is her beautiful smile that can change a person’s day instantly. It is something that she spreads endlessly. She has made me realize that there is a lot more to life than to be negative about the things you wish you could control or that do not go your way. I have learned through her that challenges and struggles are real, but it is how you respond to them with an optimistic mindset that determines the positive outcome to change and how to become more adaptable.

My older sister Elise is one of my biggest role models. She is so gracious and kind to everyone she meets. She taught me how to love God and brought me closer to my faith. She never gives up on people and she does everything she can to help others even if they might not deserve it. This has shown me that when people are unkind, it does not make it right to be unkind to them. Her attitude towards life and her accomplishments makes me want to strive to be a better version of myself and to have courage in myself. She reminds me that I should be confident in who I am and to believe in myself in all that I do. I could never thank her enough for always helping me even if she is thousands of miles away living her life in Arizona. I can always count on her and that has shown me how to let others know that I will always be there for them no matter the circumstance.

I value these things, because without them I would not have my best friends there to assist me in times of need. I thank God each day for giving me such kind, intelligent, gorgeous, and truly special sisters. I could not be more grateful, because without them I do not know what I would do, who I would be, or where I would be in life. They are amazing individuals and I wish everyone could get to know them and experience their loving and genuine personalities. I cannot express how many people both of my sisters have touched just through how they are around others and by showing how much they care.  They are some of the most selfless people I know and it truly inspiring. I love them with all of my heart.

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Note: I have known Alexis and her family since we were neighbors 20 years ago. Her story of gratitude was brought to my attention as part of a truly inspiring program happening as part of the Women’s Lacrosse team at UWRF. After speaking with the team’s head coach, Allison Jennings, I learned of some pretty amazing things she and her staff are instituting with the team to help them learn valuable life lessons on and off the field. Gratitude is a huge part of the team’s culture and as a coaching staff, they try to talk about not only internally practicing gratitude but also expressing it. They want to have their student-athletes start to practice expressing gratitude so that hopefully it starts to have an impact on not only themselves but those around them. Kudos to Coach Jennings and the entire Women’s Lacrosse team!