Do unsettling truths bring harsh judgment? They do, but the price of denial is steep.

D.K. Sanz’s story begins in the drug-infested New York City streets of Woodside, Queens, during the tumultuous HIV/AIDS pandemic of the Eighties and Nineties. It offers a glimpse into how a now often-overlooked pandemic impacted Sanz’s nuclear family.

From her earliest days, Sanz was the easily forgotten stranger, always a little out of sync with the rest of the world—a tough but naïve kid and aspiring writer. Her triumph over illness and addiction includes amusing anecdotes and nostalgic, heartwarming memories.

Deep-dive into Sanz’s confessional self-sabotage, self-destruction, and the harrowing downward spiral she almost didn’t survive. Her never-before-told story ranges from recklessness and impudence to empathy, forgiveness, and love.

Sanz has since published several books under the name Kyrian Lyndon, primarily poetry but also a novel, and she continues to work on sequels and an all-new fantasy series. You’ll find some of her poetry at the end of this book.

Whether struggling or not, you will find Grateful to be Alive is a story of hope, defying insurmountable odds, finding joy, and a gradual transition toward authenticity and becoming the person Sanz always wanted to be.

“When you begin this book, you will not put it down. You will immediately be drawn into Sanz’s bold narrative of a woman, throughout her life, passing through “every forbidden door,” as she says of herself. It is a book of continual growth through experience, defeat, and triumph. The prose is swift, concise, full of irony, truth, and poise. You will not find a more startling, revealing memoir. Highly, highly recommended.” ~ Jason T. Masters

TRIGGER WARNING:

This book discusses a specific person’s experiences with drug overdose, HIV/AIDS, and mental health issues as a result of violence, abuse, and sexual assault. If necessary, please engage in self-care.

REVIEWS

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring and relatable work!

Everyone has a story, but not everyone can share it honestly, or with humility. This is a story of a woman’s journey from childhood onward, and her struggles with addiction, abuse, relationships, cancer and a deadly virus. She didn’t always make the right choice, and is candid about it. Amid all of this, she raised and supported a son. Her insights into her own character and life choices are inspiring, and were helpful to me when reflecting on my life and relationships. Highly recommend this work! – Stephen A. North

5.0 out of 5 stars Honest & Compelling

I resisted reading this book at first because it is tied to addiction and my life experience didn’t take me down that road. But upon reflection, I think this book is about so much more. This is a book about navigating life. Who hasn’t felt pain, betrayal? Suffered through agonizing experiences at the hands of others who should have known better, done better, etc.? And then there are our own failings, deceptions, lack of knowledge. Perhaps, not all of us have lived what the author did—but we all can relate on some level to the challenges she faced. And in that we wonder, what would we have done, who would we have become? – Ellis Nelson

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book, well worth your time.

When you begin this book, you will not put it down. You will immediately be drawn into Sanz’s bold narrative of a woman, throughout her life, passing through “every forbidden door,” as she says of herself. It is a book of continual growth through experience, defeat, and triumph. The prose is swift, concise, full of irony, truth, and poise. You will not find a more startling, revealing memoir. Highly, highly recommended. – Jason T. Masters

In-Depth Review by Tal Gur at Elevate Society

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EXCERPTS FROM GRATEFUL TO BE ALIVE