What is the author's tone in the memoir, Etched in Sand?

The overall tone of the story is one of hope. Though Regina and her siblings faced horrific living conditions and seemingly insurmountable problems throughout their childhood, all of them were determined to overcome their abuse. They continued to deal with the fallout from their childhood during their adult lives and had to learn to become productive, happy adults despite the hardships of their early lives. The miracle of their lives is that each of them manages to avoid following in their mother's footsteps.