Imagine one of the hardest moments or seasons of your life. Who was there to pick you up? Who stood with you amidst uncertainty, while loving you anyway? How did you make it through what seemed like an endless battle?
As a grief coach, death doula and author, I have often found it difficult to find language for all of the mysteries of making it through. While I do my best to bring testimony to the page, there is something to be said for the art of simply witnessing. I had the honor of witnessing the Murray family as they reflected and began another part of their journey: Releasing their memoir “The Family of Miracles: Where is Your Faith When God Interrupts the Pattern?” into the world.
Written as a family, this powerful memoir chronicles the illnesses that tested their resilience and strengthened their bond. Following a rare diagnosis in 2014, Alicia considered starting the book project on her own. But she felt a calling to include her family in the writing process — her husband Gene and their daughters Lauren, Sydney and London — with each member contributing their voice and story.
The Murray family is active in sports, their church and their community. Over the years, there was unexplained pain and symptoms, trips to see specialists, biopsies and painful tests, surgeries and serious diagnoses. During the early days of COVID-19, there were frightening trips to the hospital.
But this close-knit family also found moments of joy, purpose, and hope. Individually, they battled health issues that have changed how they navigate their world. Together, they created a book that’s a celebration of unity, strength and the miracles that emerge when faith is at the center.
In this candid interview, the family opens up about the emotional process of writing the book, the life events that shaped its message, and their vision for how they hope it will touch readers’ lives.
“Writing this book felt like giving birth,” Alicia said. “Once it’s here, you think, ‘What do I do with this now?’”
Note: London was unable to join us for this interview due to tending to her own health needs.
What led to ‘The Family of Miracles’ being birthed into the world?
Alicia: On Friday, March 13, 2020, Sydney woke up with a fever. The next day, Gene had a cough while running errands. I thought, “It’s just allergies,” but we ended up in the ER. Gene spent four days in the hospital, and we gathered in the family room, leaning on each other. The day Gene was discharged, I saw CNN footage of empty streets in Italy.
It felt like God was telling me it was time to share our story. And that each of us needed to write about our experiences, illnesses, and challenges. So many of the ideas and visions came to me in the shower — just me, the water, and God.
Amidst all of our worries and hospital visits one of Gene’s fraternity brothers had said, “The Lord has seen the Murrays through miracles before, and He’ll do it again,” which inspired the hashtag #FamilyOfMiracles. The rest of the title was inspired by a phrase I heard on “Iyanla, Fix My Life:” “I’m here to interrupt the pattern.” God was interrupting the pattern.
How has writing this book impacted you as a family?
Gene: It’s been challenging because of our schedules, but when we sat down together to write and hold each other accountable, it made a big difference. It helped us get the full story. For me, it feels good to have something we all worked on together as a family.
Alicia: This has been a 5-year project for me. I started writing at the encouragement of a family member, but with a different title, Bamboozled: This Life Isn’t What I Thought It Would Be.
But 2020 changed everything. God directed me to take the project in a new direction and include the entire family. I felt the burden to get it done, and the longer it took, the heavier it felt—but that was only because of procrastination.
Sydney: This past summer, I knew I needed to write my portion. Mom set deadlines for when chapters were due, and I ended up writing one section in just a few hours. Everything we’ve endured has made us stronger, and the support from others has been inspiring. I’m about to turn 21, and knowing I’ll be a published author is incredible. This book has the potential to reach so many people.
Lauren: This is my second book. My first one, written at 16, didn’t reflect the depth of my story. This book feels even more powerful because I share this journey with my family. This book will give back to the community that supported us through the years. We get to pour back into who poured into us.
There is a thread of hope and resilience through everything you’ve shared. What do you hope people gain from your stories?
Sydney: I hope this book helps people establish or rekindle their relationship with God. Everyone faces challenges, and I want this book to be a beacon of hope.
Gene: Ditto to what Sydney said.
Lauren: We’re not victims, and we don’t carry a victim mentality. Life has tested our faith, but we’ve never doubted that we’d get through it. I want readers to see that same strength in themselves.
Alicia: If this book touches just one person and helps them see that God is real and their faith matters, that’s enough for me. I hope readers feel encouraged to hold fast to their faith and find joy, even in hardship.
I deeply resonate with your commitment to faith amid so much hardship. What keeps you motivated and encouraged?
Alicia: I often return to the scripture Romans 8:28 :Everything works together; the good, the bad, the ugly and indifferent. Every last thing has worked out. I just want others to know that there is always a beacon of light and hope.
We can’t allow ourselves to fall down and stay there. There’s power in choosing joy.
What advice do you have for others who want to tell their stories?
Gene: Just tell it. Don’t let fear stop you. If you don’t share your story, it can’t make an impact. Someone out there needs to hear it, so be genuine and truthful.
Alicia: Be open, honest and willing to be vulnerable. Let yourself be used for a greater purpose.
Lauren: Being vulnerable can be freeing. I recently shared my story with a new group, and it reminded me of how powerful vulnerability can be.
Sydney: Write down everything you can remember. When I shared my testimony recently, I realized how much I’d been through. Write not for yourself but for others who might be inspired by your story. All the things you’ve been through aren’t for nothing.
Korie Griggs is a Mirror Indy freelance contributor, poet, author and storyteller. You can engage with her and her work at koriewrites.com.
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