More Than A Memory: The Candace Kate Story {Book Review}

This past month I have had the privilege to read a book that has touched my heart in a very special way, like no other story has in a very long time. This book, written by Nancy Fileccia, is a compilation of journal entries that the author recorded during her family's journey through special needs
adoption and the world of complex medical care.

Author Nancy Fileccia

Nancy begins the book by introducing the readers to her family. We learn of her 'ordinary' days being a wife and mother to two lovely daughters, and eventually adopting a little boy and homeschooling as well. In 2003, the Fileccia's were led to pursue adopting a girl from China. As far as they knew, the only hardship was that this little girl was blind. They welcomed the opportunity, and Nancy threw herself into acclimating young Candace to family life in America, as well as teaching her braille and how to read.

A few years later, Candace began experiencing an accumulation of various health problems, and was ultimately diagnosed with a rare and fatal disease called Batten's Disease. Nancy journals through the hospitalizations, the home care, and the numerous trips to specialists. She details the hope that she held out for answers and a cure, and the devastation she felt when she could not "fix" the hardships that Candace faced. Through it all, though her faith was challenged, she did not turn her back on the Lord, but rather clung to Him. The grace He gave is evident in the writings. They are filled with a hope that cannot be explained, other than acknowledging that the Lord carried her through.

After Candace's death in 2009 at age 13, Nancy realized that the Lord had a special purpose in sending Candace to them. She wished to share Candace's life and story as an encouragement to other families, and the seeds of this book were planted.

When I first began reading this book, I was interested in it because of shared experiences with the author, namely learning to navigate the world of pediatric complex medical care. As I was reading, though, I found that the Lord had led me to this book to encourage and strengthen my heart. Nancy shared her heart in such an open and honest way, that I could not help but relate to the words she wrote. She shared the struggles and the victories, and how her relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ was affected and ultimately deepened. It's a very real book. I found myself laughing one moment, and crying the next, as I grew to know and love Candace and her family.

Nancy writes in a conversational tone, and I felt like I was sitting and listening to an old friend by the time I was done reading the book. Once I started, I had a hard time putting it down, staying up way too late to finish!

I enjoyed this book very much. I highly recommend it, especially to mothers who are struggling through the daily challenges of caring for chronically ill children, or families who have experienced the loss of a child. This book is filled with so much love and hope. It will definitely be an encouraging read.

"More Than A Memory" is currently available for purchase as a paperback ($13.95) or a pdf download ($5.95). It is also available in a Kindle version: More Than a Memory: The Candace Kate Story or on Kobo. 

To share this story with my readers, I would like to offer an opportunity for you to win a free pdf version of "More Than A Memory: The Candace Kate Story" by entering the giveaway below.

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