Between the Darkness and the Light

Book excerpt: Alexandria Hodgeman recounts her life of eighty-nine years. Placed as a baby at the door of an orphanage and raised by the Sisters of Mercy, all that she brought with her was a beautiful name and a healthy mentality. Richardson lets a fine, fictional woman's questioning represent everyone with a restless mind and heart: will happiness come from traveling or money? "What did it require to do God's work?" Throughout her life Alexandria experiences dark and sorrowful weeks. She lives through days of love and enlightenment. She realizes at the end that her most satisfying hours have been helping others.