Holding on

Holding On is the heartfelt autobiography of Angela Thomas, a victim of childhood sexual, physical, and psychological abuse who learns to rely on her faith in God to help keep her alive and lead her to achieving a peaceful life. Thomas was born in a small black community in Nova Scotia. Even though she was the only girl of color in her school, Thomas enjoyed a happy existence until she was eight. After her father dies prematurely, Thomas' life begins to change as the darkness of abuse surrounds her. Not only does she have to endure relentless sexual abuse by her stepfather, but she also witnesses his physical mistreatment of her mother. Thomas survives emotionally by believing that God has plans for her and her mother. After summoning the courage to leave, Thomas and her mother move to Toronto, and just as she finds happiness again, her mother leaves her at age fifteen to live on her own. As Thomas battles justifiable anger and loneliness, she begins to work on forgiving those who have hurt her most. Thomas shares a genuine story in how she overcame the biggest obstacle in her life only through the saving power and grace of Jesus Christ.