Get Up With Fleas: A Memoir of Abuse and Gratitude is Alexander’s powerful story of breaking the cycle of trauma and reclaiming life on his own terms. Raised in a southern home poisoned by violence, neglect, and religious hypocrisy, he endured years of severe abuse at the hands of his stepfather. Yet amid the chaos, he found brief moments of escape-in books, nature, and the respite of Christmas days where the temporary peace reminded him of what life should be.
As the eldest of seven children, he faced the unbearable burden of trying to shield his siblings from the worst while enduring the brunt of the physical violence. Alexander had to grow up quickly, bearing the labels of scapegoat and protector, while navigating a world that only accentuated his isolation and desire for connection. Alexander undergoes the long process of healing, of reparenting himself, and of choosing gratitude even in the wake of suffering. From reclaiming his identity by changing his name to creating a loving home with his wife and child, Alexander now reflects on his remarkable journey of survival, hope, and the power of intentional love.
This is not just a story of survival, but of a quest to transform that survival into something cosmically meaningful. It is the struggle between identity forged through pain, and identity claimed through an intentional journey. It’s a story of love, terror, hope, and an endless obsession with puzzles.
Get Up With Fleas is both heart-wrenching and heart-warming, a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the possibilities we all have to heal. Readers will find strength, vulnerability, and ultimately redemption in this memoir.
