Treasures of Darkness [Paperback]

Kenneth Hekman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 29, 2001

Adversity may be a part of everyones experience. For most of us, it is just something to endureto get through. But Ken Hekman took a different approach when faced with one of lifes most profound sorrows, the sudden death of his firstborn, a teenage daughter. By choosing to make adversity his teacher rather than simply his tormenter, he unearthed profound insights about lifeand deaththat will change you forever. His gripping honesty and soul-touching articulation give new meaning to the challenges of everyday life and new hope for those trapped in despair. Even non-poets can appreciate his poetic style, and his prose flows like a stream to both cleanse and refresh. But Treasures of Darkness offers much more than the lamentations of a grieving father. It also gives us a glimpse of the profound impact one young life can have on a worldwide community, and it maps a journey through four stages from being afraid to die, to not being afraid to live again. It serves as a guidebook for others who face adversity of all kinds, and illumines a path toward renaissance like no other artistic work.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ken Hekman is a healthcare consultant, author, speaker and grieving father. He lives in Holland Michigan USA with his artist wife, Marybeth, and their children, Jill and Dan. Although he serves clients worldwide, Kens journey through grief continues to produce more wisdom than all his global ventures combined.

Product Details

• Paperback: 140 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse (May 29, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595181791
• ISBN-13: 978-0595181797
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,853,912 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Companion in a dark place, December 20, 2001

By 

Paul Smith (Milton, WV USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Treasures of Darkness (Paperback)

I started Treasures of Darkness wondering if it was going to be like the many grief books I had read but quickly realized it was different. Suddenly, I saw my own thoughts on paper - written by a stranger.
As one who has experienced the death of his child, I have yearned for the company of other brokenhearted fathers. Only those who have been here truly understand. Treasures of Darkness gave me a companion in the shadows. It brightened my way along this path.
This is not another "grief" book but a collection of experiences and hope. If you are a parent who has lost a child, recently or long ago, you owe it to yourself to read this book. If you have a loved one or friend who has lost a child, read the
book and then give it to them. It will allow you a glimpse of their new and strange world and will give them the realization that they are not alone in this tragic place.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling, Faith-full, Honest, October 28, 2001

By 

Rod Brandsen (Holland, MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Treasures of Darkness (Paperback)

Treasures of Darkness allows us into the mind and heart of a fellow traveller on the Christian faith journey. Ken Hekman deeply, thoughtfully, and extremely honestly invites us to walk alongside of him as he journies through four stages of grief over the death of his beloved daughter, Carla. Few are able as honestly, boldly, and faithfully to question, wonder, weep, express anger, and joy in the face of such unspeakable pain. In poetry and prose readers encounter a profound search for the heart of God and for what it means to be human in relationship with God in the face of deep sorrow and pain. Ken does not settle for quick, easy, packaged "sympathy-card" answers to pain. Echoing the anguish of Job and some of the responses to life of David in the Psalms, Ken struggles with God, life, and death. And even in his most seemingly faith-questioning moments, it is precisely then that he is most faith-full. This book is timely for any who would read for its honesty, insight, and encouragement to Christian faith as Ken searches to know, serve, and love God in the face of some of life's deepest mysteries and pain.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Grief as our Teacher, October 23, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Treasures of Darkness (Paperback)

Treasures of Darkness is a gripping, honest, expression of a father's grief over the sudden death of his teenage daughter. The auther tackles his grief head on and isn't afraid to ask some of the most pressing questions of life: Why are we here? What purpose does our life serve? Where is God? Why does he appear so silent and hidden at times?
Like the Old Testament Psalmists the questions are asked with piercing honesty and forthrightness. Furthermore, the author refuses cheap answers. The result is a profound insight through prose and poetry into the meaning of our lives that will challenge all who dare to read. This book is a must read not only for those in the midst of adversity themselves, but also for those seeking to be instruments of God's grace to those who are facing it.