An Unlit Path

An Unlit Path
by Deborah L Hannah

An Unlit Path
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Book Summary Information

Author: Deborah L Hannah
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2006-10-06
ISBN: 1600344844
Number of pages: 272
Publisher: Xulon Press
Product features:
  • ISBN13: 9781600344848
  • Condition: New
  • Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Tracking provided on most orders. Buy with Confidence! Millions of books sold!

Book Reviews of An Unlit Path

Book Review: An Unlit Path
Summary: 5 Stars

An Unlit Path is an honest and beautifully written portrayal of a family's journey through the foster care experience, its risks, challenges, and rewards. As the title suggests, it details the experience of a dark unknown path, not always knowing what to expect or what lies ahead - one you may be totally unprepared for.

Deborah Hannah tells her story of complicated and sometimes devastating experiences of integrating her four biological children with five adopted and foster care children. She gives the grim details of the toll a child's early abuse and neglect can take on a family. Developmental problems, reactive attachment disorder, betrayal, and the loss of innocence. At the same time, each chapter has poetic metaphor to describe a dichotomy of emotion; sadness and joy, love and betrayal, despair and hope.

An Unlit Path is sensitive to the lives of the foster family and the children having been tossed through the system. It explains the background and effects of children whose lives are out of control. They are emotionally and socially ill-equipped, abused, and unable to control their own lives while trying to control those around them; sometimes with deception and further abuse.

It is also a spiritual journey of unconditional love, forgiveness, and hope. Hannah discovers that no matter what the outcome, the gifts given each child had their own lasting value and purpose.

The conclusion gives some insight into the purpose of her book. Despite the hardships, Hannah would do it all again. She advocates better knowledge and training for foster parents; aspects that were missing in her own experience. Insufficient background information or family medical history, unrealistic expectations, and less than honest disclosure were a hindrance. She stresses the importance of full disclosure, training, information, and long-term support for there to be a chance of success.

I was really touched by this book which I read as part of CASA training. I think it has better prepared me for situations I may not have considered. It reminds me not to count on our own expectations or moral values. As a foster care parent or a Court Appointed Advocate, your own views may lead to obstruction of the truth. You cannot ignore the evils that may exist based on how you perceive life should be. It does the child and family no service to do so. The spiritual aspect of this book is of great importance. Personally, I don't know how anyone could survive this experience intact without the belief and presence of God in his life.

Summary of An Unlit Path

What happens when love is not enough? A true story of one family's journey, although tragic, it raises awareness to the inherent risks and rewards of adoption and foster care.

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