The 21 lives of a woman - Chapter 1- A walk through my garden

It is with great wonder that I lie here in my bed and as usual, cannot sleep. Waking up at 3 am is not unusual but today I woke up at 2 am and this means that something is not quite at peace in my mind. I need to work it through. There are some things that are lying deep in my soul that need to be revealed or need to be accepted since my subconscious mind cannot rest and my brain does not want to sleep when I’m not at peace. 

So the first thing that came to my mind when I woke up was that I have to write a letter to my daughter in law. She needs to know things about me and my life to understand who I am and where I come from, but then I changed my mind because she may not even read the letter and the purpose of writing a letter would not be realized. The message from my heart to hers would not be delivered. So,  it may be better to write a book and who knows, she may read it or she may not read it but then maybe another woman will and hopefully be blessed by my walk through life. 

The title is the 21 lives of a woman and it has a subtitle. Walking on water. The title is inspired by the poem of William Shakespeare- the ages of man where he depicts the different stages of a man’s life from baby and boyhood to an old man who returns to the state of being a helpless and dependent human being. Coming into the world without anything and leaving without anything either. 

We did this poem when I was writing matric and it made a huge impression on me. Never did I know that the stages of my life would be so incredibly intense and colorful and real that I would be able to write a book on them.  I hope truly hope that it will be helpful to women and men alike. 

This is my journey from being a child to a teenager, to a young lady, to a spinster, to a married professional, to a mother, to a widow, to a second wife, to a stepmother, to a divorcee, to a single mother, to a dating lady, to a professional and academic, to a third marriage woman, to a mother in law, to a stepmother and a step grandmother, to a grandmother and to a professional researcher. To a being sister and being a sister in law. 

They adds up to 21 phases. Isn’t that insane? So many rich experiences! What a privilege it has been. As I look back in wonder it feels as if my life was like a garden with many seasons and many flowers and trees. 

So let me take you on a walk through my garden and hopefully you will be blessed and it may assist you to understand a situation in which you are, better and from a new perspective. 

Welcome to my garden.