Gathering the Pieces is a powerful memoir of survival, silence, and healing. In this courageous and intimate account, Lennie Campbell shares her journey through the unthinkable: a sexual assault at seventeen, the birth and loss of a son, and the tragic accident that claimed her mother's life - leaving Lennie as the only survivor. What follows is not just a story of grief, but of grit.

As a young, unwed mother navigating shame and trauma, Lennie found strength in unexpected places - including the everyday courage it took to raise three daughters on her own. Her story moves through loss, recovery, and reinvention, revealing how she rebuilt a life of meaning, connection, and light.

Later, as one of her daughters faced the devastating onset of schizophrenia, Lennie stepped into another chapter of resilience - as an advocate, caregiver, and voice for families navigating the mental health system.

With striking honesty and hard-won humor, she invites readers to walk beside her. This is not a story about being broken - it's about what survives, what heals, and what love can hold together.

For readers of Cheryl Strayed and Jeannette Walls, Gathering the Pieces is a tribute to the human spirit - one piece at a time.