I Am Woman…

Mrs. Anthony

Description

Myriad women out there have suffered due to their husbands’ weaknesses. While many have called their marriage a day and walked away, some have tried to hold on and salvage their union, hoping that their love is strong enough to bring forth a miracle. When children are at stake, they try even harder, hoping to provide the unfettered love of both parents.
This book was painstakingly-written to relate my true journey and endless attempts to save my union and husband. I tried even harder because he was truly a gem of a man. It has taken me years to muster the courage and will to revisit some of the most painful moments in my life. It is only close to his 23rd year of demise that I have come to terms with all he had done and feel that now I have his blessing to share my journey with the world. All women are my sisters and it is in the name of this sisterhood that I bring forth my life’s journey to share. Life is not over, for I have learnt to survive. How I have survived is yet another story

Sujets

• Grit
• Memoir
• Alcoholism
• Journey
• Family
• Gastrolithe
• Love
• Fiction

Informations

• Publié par: Partridge Publishing Singapore
• Date de parution: 05 novembre 2021
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781543767421
• Langue: English

Extrait

I Am Woman…
Book One: My Journey, My Tony
Mrs. Anthony


Copyright © 2021 by Mrs. Anthony.
 
Library of Congress Control Number:
2021921530
ISBN:
Hardcover
978-1-5437-6743-8

Softcover
978-1-5437-6741-4

eBook
978-1-5437-6742-1
 
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
 
Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.
 
 
 
 
 
 
www.partridgepublishing.com/singapore
Contents
Foreword
Preface
Girlhood
Rita
Shiv Returns
The Move
Adolescence
Tony
Promising Love
A Clash of Cultures
Juggling Two Careers
The Engagement
Womanhood
The Marriage
Appeasing Two Cultures
Home Sweet Rented Home
Busy, Lonely Me
Pregnant with Hope
Renewed Joy
The Move Back Home
Hammering in Culture
D-Day
The Waiting Game
Here She Comes, Finally!
Dewdrop
The Cracks Appear
One Drink Too Many
Growing Distant
Another Baby, Another Chance
Wriggles
The Giving Grandparents
Ram
The Tumultuous Lake
The Loving Siblings
Tony’s Turmoil
The Two Scholars
Tony Tries
The Trouble with Tony
The Cracks Deepen
Turbulence
Lost at Sea
A Fleeting Calm
Frenemies
Tony Withdraws
The Vintage Itch
The ‘Hot’ Roll Era
The Call of the Wild
The Spicy Siblings
The Pub of Woes
Enter the Viper
The Lingering Limp
The Viper Strikes
The Victorious Viper
Pub No More
The Viper Strikes Again
The Viper Vanishes
The Disillusioned Tony
Catch-22
Drink, Denial, and Disappointment
Viper Tracking
Salt and Prejudice
Once Bitten, Still Not Shy
Mystical Viper?
Credit Card Caper
Redundant Realisation
Merciless Macau
Reeling and Remorseful
The Promising Pilgrimage
Nonchalance in New Zealand
Delayed and Disgruntled
The Frail Father
Tragedy and Tribulations
Bloody Beginnings
Shocked and Shaken
Depressing Denial
The Truth Is Out!
Recounting Sweeter Times
Fractured Promises
Back to Reality
The Reliable Tony
The Accident-prone Tony
My Nocturnal Ritual
My Giving Dad
New Wheels for a Failing Liver
New Car, New Leaf
Tutor Tony
Illogical Logistics
Recklessly Recalcitrant
The Angry-Wife Ambush
The Fleeing Foe
Laying Down Arms
The Second Opinion
The Disturbing Drive Up
The Definitive Diagnosis
Lost in Anguish
Fiercely in Denial
Trudging Through the Day
Standing My Ground
Ceasefire
Cheers with the Priest
A Forlorn Christmas
A Disastrous Boxing Day
The Beginning of the End
Hit and Hurled
Myriad Questions
Discharged at Own Risk
The Hostile Husband
Discharged at Own Risk, Again
A Dismal New Year
The Languishing Liver
An Unsolicited Send-Off
Acceptance
Convalescing at Home
Another Emergency, Another Hospital
Recounting and Reflecting
Conscious Again
Hope Rekindled
Tony’s Solemn Promise
The Procedure
Discharged with Guidance
Home Sweet Home
Foreboding Fears
Finding Strength
Adjusting, Again?
A Silver Lining
Ridiculously Recalcitrant
The Calm Before the Storm
Enter the Tempest
The Descent Begins
The Frenzied Drive
No Stone Left Unturned
Bracing Ourselves
Resentment
Surrendering
Matters of the Heart
Final Request
 
Epilogue
Foreword
Hello and thank you for choosing to read this book! I am Dr Shabnam Ardev, a functional medicine practitioner with a master’s in nutritional medicine. I list my credentials proudly, for my beloved mother, the author of this book, is the only reason I was able to step out bravely into the challenging world and fulfil my childhood dream to become a doctor. She was even stoic enough to allow me to specialise in a field of medicine that others thought too radical or foreign. Now, more and more experts have to admit that functional medicine is the medicine of the future.
This book was first incepted in the year 2004, and we had quite the team, brainstorming words and ideas, as Mom patiently typed each and every word. My late grandfather, a renowned English and geography teacher, would come up with the most delightful words and phrases while my brother would re-enact certain scenes or create his own sound effects. I would either join him in his efforts or oppose him and declare a sibling war, much to my fatigued mother’s chagrin. Writing was often done after hours, once Mom had closed the classroom and grabbed a spot of tea.
Unforeseen circumstances compelled her to put her pen down until recently. Although we no longer have access to the old digital files, she had fortunately kept the old manuscript safe. Though yellowed and sad, that old manuscript has been revived, embellished, and reinforced to convey to you, dear reader, a most spellbinding memoir. The journey that follows is analogous to being out at sea in a vessel, facing unpredictable weather. There is much pain and heartache, but there is also much humour that will make you chuckle aloud and smile.
This story is true to life—I know, for I grew up witnessing and perceiving all that took place in the pages that follow after Mom married. It was in this home that I had all the love and attention of doting grandparents, the dedication and fierce love of a strong mother, the camaraderie and adoration of a cheeky brother, and the pride and love of a father. I am of a very close-knit family; we have laughed and wept together through thick and thin.
I am bursting with pride as I type the conclusion to this foreword—it has taken sheer grit, willpower, and absolute determination for my 64-year-old mother to revisit the past, face many painful memories, and write them down in a colossal effort to compile a memoir that is a true reflection of her journey as a woman. She, who is not computer-savvy, has patiently typed almost every word in this story. I have been actively involved with proofreading, editing, and checking for continuity, in between patient consults. I must say, I am confident that this book has all the makings of an international bestseller.
I know for a fact that my father is very proud of all my mother has achieved and will continue to achieve. She awaits me impatiently to free her seat at the computer for she is all set to get started on her second book.
By the way, I am Dewdrop.
By
Dr Shabnam Ardev d/o Anthony Sammy
Malaysian Medical Council Number: 45080
MBBS IMU (2006)
Dip in Family Medicine (2012)
Master’s in Nutritional Medicine (2018)
27 September 2021
Preface
Woman, the Creator’s gift to man—she is often perceived as beautiful, gentle, and kind.
Me? I am woman, all right, but most likely one that you would not afford a second glance. I am plain-looking, short, and always seem to have a bad hair day. However, I have been flung full force into the sea of life and challenged many times over—not fair, especially when I can’t even swim! How on earth have I kept my head above water?
My seemingly sweet love marriage turned bitter when my beloved Tony allowed himself to be seduced by a shapely bottle of alcohol. Soon, an occasional bottle just wasn’t enough to quench his thirst. My wonderfully warm, loving, and diligent Tony slowly let himself be ravaged health-wise. Our family was neglected, and finances took a steep downhill descent.
It is easier for a woman who is naturally soft and giving to remain submissive indefinitely. However, when along her arduous journey, this very woman also has no choice but to don heavy armour of sheer grit and determination to fend for her loved ones, it can take a heavy toll on her spirit. In place of her cheery smile, she wears a gaunt expression of weary resilience coupled with intense fortitude.
I have had to journey deep into the recesses of my heart and soul to gather the facts and summon up the courage to put pen to paper. So much has happened in the life of this tested soul. I feel that I owe sisterhood my story and hopefully give others foresight if their lives are taking a similar turn. I am also sincerely trying to create awareness among those who indulge in more than the occasional drink, believing that life without the intoxication of drink is lacklustre. Woefully, many falsely believe that they can put a stop to drinking, just like that.
I welcome you, dearest reader, to journey with me through these pages as I divulge the story and experiences that have filled my 64 years to the brim. I would be honoured if you deign to laugh and cry with me as I sail across the seas of memories. Be warned that the weather is often far from fair and the seas rather stormy.
So are you ready to join me?

This book is dedicate