The Journey Called Life

The Journey Called Life is the inspirational story of survival and recovery following the trauma that led author Christina Burns to an addiction to hard drugs. In addition, Burns was charged and convicted of crimes that led to first degree murder: she served time in a Pennsylvania state correctional facility. During recovery, Burns was determined to complete her education, earning a bachelor’s degree from PSU and a certificate of Chemical Dependency and Preventions Counseling.

Raised in Port Matilda, PA. Christina Burns (1985-) learned that her young troubled parents Ron and Joy could barely manage their own chaotic lives, and were severely neglectful parents. Ron was a singer in a rock band, which led the couple to the party scene related to alcohol and drugs, eventually they divorced. Burns had difficulty understanding life around her-- also a disturbed older sister that abused her as a toddler. The only love and nurturing Burns would receive was from “Memom” her paternal grandmother, reserving the honored title of mother to this very dear person in her life, who would eventually succumb to Alzheimer’s Disease.

It was amazing how Burns survived her own life story in one piece! It was likely due to her harsh and troubled upbringing that she was unable to detect those who would betray and exploit her in the worst possible ways. Burns was proud of her role of advancement in the drug world as a rare licensed driver; her name and clean record were used to rent an apartment for the drug dealer who committed murder. The details Burns provided in regards to her criminal charges and incarceration were sketchy, there were no time frames listed. More interested in accepting accountability for her actions, Burns informed readers about the terror of being in prison, the abuse she suffered etc. Joy stepped up to advocate for her in a big way during her incarceration.

The road leading to recovery was extremely painful, difficult, and challenging with several repeated attempts in rehab, work release and follow-ups of counseling and medical care. Due to her addiction, Burns had several severe medical problems and faced a depilating cancer diagnosis and treatment. Against the advice of her doctors, she had a son with a man she met in recovery. This was a good story overall, Burns is to be commended to sharing her true story with the hope of helping others. 3* GOOD. ~ With thanks to NetGalley for the e-DRC for the purpose of review.