Life with Ollie: The story of an only child of a single narcissistic parent
by Donna Bourgeois
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GENRE: Memoir
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BLURB:
If you are of dating age or married, I wrote this book for you.
This is not a self-help or a how-to book. This is the story of the metamorphosis of a timid, fear filled child who finally blossomed into a warrior. I have many scars that no one can see, but they are healed now. Through these battles to become a warrior, I have helped the wounded souls that have come to me and seen them overcome their demons to stand tall and proud of who they are. It has brought me great joy.
Through the years, I have heard along the way that the ancient Chinese would fix their broken china cups or figurines with gold to make them whole again, and more valuable. I believe that humans can be repaired with love and a sense of self-worth. Each and every one of us are here for a purpose and we are given gifts to help fulfill our purpose.
I would love for you to come on this journey with me.
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EXCERPTS :
It was so dark. It smelled musty in the dank basement. I knew I was locked in there for being naughty. Then it came to me: the little boy who lived in this house put a big hole in the top of my new doll carriage. I ran and told his mother (whose house I boarded at), he denied it and I was put in the basement for lying. I don’t remember how old I was—I know I was not old enough to go to school yet.
One morning I became hysterical and begged my mother not to leave me and told her I was always locked in the basement. Well, we were out of there in quick order. That is my first memory of childhood.
My mother’s name was Olive, but all her friends called her Ollie. The party did not really start until Ollie arrived. She was gregarious, fun, a real extrovert. She was truly beautiful and had a dynamite figure. She was the perfect five-foot-two-eyes-of-blue bombshell.
My father was a very handsome man in a rugged Clark Gable way. My dad, like many men his age, joined the army and was sent to Britain and Holland. He did not return to us. He had found another woman and wanted a divorce. Mom would not let him see me when he came to Canada for his divorce. She always said if he stayed, it would be only for me and she didn’t want him on those terms. My mom would not accept child support from him because he would then have some control over me. She never let me see him, even though she always knew where he was. So, this is how I became an only child with a single mother.
I was sent to live with my mother’s first cousin while my mom went to work. I don’t remember much of those years but I started kindergarten there and had my tonsils out on the enamel kitchen table. The war was over and the men were coming home and there was no room in the hospital for me. The doctor told me to count backward from ten. I was so frightened because I didn’t think I knew how. Luckily, I fell asleep before I had to embarrass myself. I don’t remember my mother being on the scene much, but I was happy and content to be there.
In the meantime, my mother and her father found a one-bedroom apartment they could afford. Grandpa slept on a pull-out couch in the living room and Mom had the bedroom.
When I started grade three, my mother thought that I was old enough to come and live with her and Grandpa. There was an older boy who lived in the next apartment who would walk me to and from school. I was alone until my mom or Grandpa got home from work. I had chores to do, like peeling potatoes and carrots or whatever we were having for dinner. I was to have everything in their pots, ready to go, even the meat, but was not allowed to turn on the stove. I remember making glue at school with flower and water at one point. It looked like pie dough and I thought I would make Mom some jam roll-ups when I got home. I was able to use the oven by then.
Needless to say, by the time Mom got home, dinner was not prepared and there was flour on the countertop and floor. As my mother cleaned it up, she looked at me with such vehement hatred, and said, “I could just kill you.” I was terrified because I thought she was going to kill me. It was like a knife in my heart. I stood there, frozen, until she yelled at me to go to our room. I could hear my grandfather telling her that was no way to speak to a young child. She never apologized and simply ignored me like I was a nonentity. That was the first time I saw that side of my mother.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Donna G. Bourgeois enjoys writing and painting, both excellent activities to soothe the soul. She went to university at 65-years-old and earned an associate degree in theology, just to keep the grey matter healthy. She considers her greatest quality to be the ability to love greatly and be kind to those who life have put on her path. Life with Ollie is her first book, although she has many more story ideas waiting in the wings. She believes if you listen to your inner voice, you will find your bliss.
Website – http://donnabourgeois.com/
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19311913.Donna_G_Bourgeois
Buy link:
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GIVEAWAY
Donna Bourgeois will be awarding a $20 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
<a href=”http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f3546“>Enter to win a $20 Amazon/BN GC – a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
