by Dianne Preston
I always knew that Shania Twain and I looked alike (insert fits of laughter here) but finding out now how we truly have led parallel lives.
Shania has a book out , “From This Moment On”, and is revealing all the gory details. We’ve always heard how she was brought up dirt poor and her parents died in a car crash when she was little. Thankfully those two facts are not the same – but the violent, scary alcoholic father and the fact that her husband cheated with her best friend… now we’re back on the same track.
You used to be able to set the clocks in our house by when my Dad would pop his first beer – 5:30 am. That would continue throughout the entire day… he was a carpenter and back then lots drank on the job. He would then continue straight to our local Legion (he was wounded in WW2) until the point he could barely walk – then DRIVE home and start a night of terror.
There were lots of laughs and smiles with my siblings and Mom – until we heard the car pull in the driveway. Everyone’s stomachs would sink, we’d all scatter and wait to see just how drunk and belligerent he was. That would tell us whether we could actually stay in the house or have to go hide at a neighbour’s or wander around until he passed out.
This was normal for us – normal to have the police at our house weekly or have to hide somewhere until it was safe to go back in. Despite the alcoholism, I loved my father very much. He passed away 35 years ago.
When I heard Shania and her sister half joking about some of the terrible times with their father… she said you have to laugh about it. I know EXACTLY what she means. Lots of people couldn’t imagine some of the nights we went through or believe it for that matter. I won’t go into the details, there are TOO many, but suffice it to say my poor, saintly Mom took the brunt of it.
When my four siblings and I get together we still talk, and yes awkward laughs, about the stories to this day.
Shania and I have another parallel unfortunately… a husband and a so-called best friend.
This one doesn’t need much explaining. I took MY best friend into my home when her marriage broke down and guess how she repaid me?! It’s taken some years to decide whom I blamed more, but in the end, there was a lot to go around.
We split up in our 25th year of marriage (we were together 30). We were supposed to be rocking in our chairs on the porch together, forever. I didn’t expect my life to have so many NEW chapters, but now looking forward to making more.
The highlight of my life is my wonderful son. He was a rock when I needed him. Typical boy, doesn’t usually have the words, but always there with a Mom hug. We have a great, close relationship and I guess because I gave it to him – has my warped sense of humour, so we always have lots of laughs. He also has a girlfriend that I truly love – honest – and can’t wait for Grandchildren someday.
P.S.: This felt good to write (get off my shoulders) but is now hard for me to put out there. I have always been a fairly private person and don’t like pity or complaining. But like Shania said, I hope it helps someone to know they aren’t the only ones these things happen to.
Dianne Preston aka @smilenwaven is a proud Mom, first and foremost. Her son inherited his musical passion from her but thankfully he has talent! Dianne has worked in the admin world for most of her working years and now has a home-based typing, errand service. She loves music/concerts, antiques, Scrabble, cooking and being with friends, including her Mom. She worked as an associate-editor for two small newspapers and was married 25 years, but has since moved on and loving her ‘new life’ at the moment.