This was a great book for how to get through the grieving period of the death of a loved one. I would recommend this book to anyone going through the loss of a loved one. ( )

This book is truly inspirational. In the beginning, I didn't really appreciate how important the e-mail support letters were and felt that the constant reference to the e-mail correspondence was taking away from the essence of the book. But, gradually, I began to understand how important those e-mail letters were and actually found myself looking forward to her friends' responses.

June's experience is significant to understanding the human condition, such as the search for meaning in life and grasping the concept of mortality. Her memoirs truly made me grateful for all that I have even my trials and tribulations. Her incredible physical, spiritual, and mental fortitude is truly thought-provoking and awe-inspiring. I especially enjoyed how she ended the book with a discussion of important concepts for all of us to keep in mind. I also am thrilled that she is continuing to inspire and help others with the release of her meditation CD and her fitness certification that allows her to assist others suffering from debilitating disease.

I would recommend "Unexpected Grace" to all those who need to find the strength to continue in the face of insurmountable hardship, as well as those wrestling with the mundane struggles of life. ( )

After living most of her life with scoliosis and the tremendous pain and complications from numerous back surgeries, not to mention all the life changes to career and dreams that this brings, June Hyjek courageously shares her journey in Unexpected Grace. If anyone deserves to tell their story June Hyjek certainly does.

Using every tool available to her (meditation, physical therapy, medication, spirituality, etc) she learns to live with her pain and situation to find purpose, balance, acceptance, and self-worth amidst her “flawed” body. This very uplifting story is applicable to everyone and it certainly puts many things into perspective. We’re all dealt a hand in life, but how we choose to deal with that hand is the key to finding a happy, or at least a contented, life.

A recurring impression that I had throughout reading the book was that Miss Hyjek must have an innate positive attitude or else she just didn’t share the details of those really, really bad moments. And we know she must have had them! In the course of one’s life we’ve all met people with negative attitudes. Can a negative attitude and a set of bad circumstances ever be made positive? Miss Hyjek does acknowledge the many good fortunes she has in her life: a great doctor and access to modern healthcare, a physical therapist, a supportive spouse and network of friends, some form of income, etc. Could a person living, say, in the slums of a third-world country have the same will to find their own “place of grace”? I’m sure many have and do, but a natural positive attitude certainly helps and a strong, strong will to not be defeated.

June Hyjek is clearly someone who chooses to live her life with the belief that her glass is half full rather than half empty…to not be a victim. For all the “whiners” out there, read this book! ( )

I found this book somewhat boring and hard to get through to the end of it. It wasn't what I expected it to be at all. Scoliosis is an ailment that many have, so to me-this could have been more strongly written. Had it been about some ailment that is rare, it would have been more desirable, in my opinion. ( )

True acceptance, center and balance are revealed through ultimate surrender and a strong connection to loving, supportive friends. And at the end of the journey, we come – quite unexpectedly – to a place of grace.

Unexpected Grace is a call to remember or discover the grace of God in the memories of your life. I enjoyed reading very much the authors personal experiences and how she learned grace through them. A unique and interesting book well worth reading.

There's nothing earth-shatteringly new in this little booklet from June Hyjek, but I certainly enjoyed it. Enough to buy a few more and pass them out to some friends and neighbors that were going through difficulty or sickness. It's very concise, easy to read, and contains a short little presentation at the end. It's a perfect gift for anyone you're trying to be a witness or encouragement to. Recommended highly for that purpose.

A natural storyteller, June Hyjek invites readers to share her warm, rich, and often funny descriptions of human triumphs and struggles, laughter and tears. She shows how God is reflected in the people we meet every day and uncovers grace in the most unexpected places.

I won this book on LibraryThing. ( )