Be Proud of Your Scars

Helen Ten

Description

Do you realise how beautiful your life truly is when you focus on your blessings and strengths with a positive mindset in facing the present pandemic?

“ Be Proud of Your Scars “ is the perfect book to have and share during the time of bonding at home.

This book is written as a legacy to take the younger generation to the next level to be worthy citizens:-
- view the present situation in a more positive way,and,
- make a difference in someone’s life.

This book is not written in chronological order. The unique writing style gives readers the choice and freedom to begin reading from any page.

It’s like someone choosing the first piece from a jigsaw puzzle to begin completing it.
Written by a grounded optimist octogenarian with an infectious and selfless attitude towards other people ,her writing reflects her personality.

Reading her book may inspire readers to write their story too.
If you are inspired to write , then this is the book to have !

Sujets

• Personal Memoirs
• Biography
• Olympic Charter
• Relationship
• Family
• Autobiography
• Life
• Culture

Informations

• Publié par: Partridge Publishing Singapore
• Date de parution: 27 décembre 2022
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781543771787
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 2 Mo

Extrait

BE PROUD OF YOUR SCARS
A SYMBOL OF YOUR STRENGTH IN YOUR LIFE’S JOURNEY
 
 
 
HELEN TEN
 
 

 
 
Copyright © 2022 by Helen Ten.
 
ISBN:
Hardcover
978-1-5437-7179-4

Softcover
978-1-5437-7177-0

eBook
978-1-5437-7178-7
 
 
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
Author’s Biography
Foreword
Acknowledgement
1. Be Proud Of Your Scars
2. Preface
3. Your Legacy Of Love
4. Reflection
5. Tributes Of Love By Petrina And Kenneth
6. Lessons From The Previous Generations
7. Our Take On Parenting
8. Recollections Of Growing Up
9. Lessons From Nature
10. A Rose By Any Other Name Would Smell As Sweet!
11. Life
12. Precious Values Learned In My Life
13. Beautiful People In My Life
14. Bless Be The Ties
15. My First Trip To England
16. The Ten Family History
17. Heartfelt Memories From Dear Friends
18. Live Full, Die Empty, Have Faith
19. Fascinating Ireland
20. Memories By 3 rd Daughter, Vivienne Tan Hong Lan
21. The Beauty Of Friendship
22. My Mother-In-Law
23. The TEN Dynasty
24. My Rainbow And Pot Of Gold
25. Chinese Zodiac
26. My Soulmate
27. Eulogy
28. Mum’s Biological Parents
29. My Life’s Journey
30. Love Is A Splendid Thing
31. Some Gems From Social Media
32. Don’t let “Later” become “Too Late!”
33. Presidents Of Modern Olympics
34. 12th Asian Games In Hiroshima, Japan
35. The International Olympic Academy
36. Unforgettable Memories To Cherish
Author’s Biography

HELEN TEN
Helen, educated locally and in England, is the First Lady Course Director in the Olympic Council of Malaysia . She has shared her invaluable knowledge/experience to a varied audience, locally and abroad.
Her book will inspire readers to document their own story too!
Read and be inspired to write!
Foreword
Honesty is and has been an ingrained part of the Ten- Tan Family . Our mantra has always been: - “ Speak from your heart. It’s more authentic! ”
Before embarking on my current book as a legacy to my family and younger generation, grandsons Jarrett and Ryan, again repeated these wise words.
“ Write from your heart, Ah Ma/ grandma! It’s more authentic!”
Thank you boys for your faith in Ah Ma! Advice taken in toto! Hence the birth of this book! Prayerfully, it will have a domino effect on my readers to leave their legacy to their family members too!
Good Luck! Happy Writing!
Acknowledgement

It is with pride in acknowledging my second grandson Ryan’s valuable contribution to my book on my life’s journey!
Ryan’s modern and creative approach in designing the cover for my book is to be lauded. Thank you Ryan!
Age is no barrier when the bonding is there to appreciate each other’s thoughts with constructive and frank opinions.
Thank you Ryan for spontaneously accepting my request to design the cover for my book, and do whatever necessary to enhance the book.
Ryan, you’ve been extremely patient with me, encouraging and guiding me. This exercise has benefited both of us. Your patience in replying to my often repeated queries/questions is to be lauded! On my part, the phrase “If there is a will, there is a way” , resonates loud and clear!
Together, we will produce our book as scheduled.
Thank you again Ryan.
Topics
1
Be Proud Of Your Scars
# The Road
Excerpt from Steve Ray’s poem
                    No one dreams your dreams for you,
                   You pick the road you take,
                   But the choice to shape your destiny
                   Will always be with you.
# Dedication to Ten Yen Wee, Patriarch of the Ten-Tan Family

Ten Yen Wee: Patriarch of the Ten-Tan family.
This book is dedicated to my beloved husband Yen Wee for the blissful fifty five years throughout our married life, blessed by God! Amen!
Yen Wee and I often talked about the day when one of us will be called home first. Yen Wee spoke of his fear of living alone should I go first. My reply to Yen Wee: “The one who dies first is the lucky one!” Yen Wee will always reply, “Let’s go together!”
Then we both will laugh.
I imagine Yen Wee singing Kenny Rogers’ song, Goodbye, if I were to go home to the Lord before him. It’s me who now sings Kenny Rogers’ Goodbye!
# Goodbye
I wanted you for life, you and me in the wind,
I never knew there’ll come a time that our story will end.
It’s hard to understand but I guess I’ll have to try,
It’s not easy to say goodbye.
# Yen Wee, Jarrett, Ryan and Shakespeare
Our grandsons, Jarrett and Ryan are equally blessed to have Yen Wee as their doting grandfather who imparted to them values such as humility, punctuality, and respect for others, irrespective of race or status. They shared many interests, from Shakespeare to classical music and also a variety of food. Their unique and very special bonding, from childhood till early adulthood is a blessing to be treasured as Yen Wee was called home in his sleep on twenty third November, 2018.
Yen Wee would loved these two creative articles of humour, using timeless Shakespeare’s works even during Covid-19 pandemic:- -
# William Shakespeare Came To Get Vaccinated
Nurse: Which arm?
Shakespeare: As You Like It.
Nurse: Was that painful?
Shakespeare: Much Ado About Nothing.!
Nurse: You will have to have a second jab.
Shakespeare: Measure for Measure?
Nurse: So what do you think of the government handling the Covid?
Shakespeare: Comedy of Errors!
Yen Wee, together with Jarrett and Ryan would have had a field day pitching their wits recalling memories of Shakespeare’s works …… .. a favourite past time of theirs!
# Shakespearean Shakespeare
Who were the groom and bride?
Romeo and Juliet.
When did Romeo propose?
Twelfth Night.
What did he say?
As You Like It.
From where was the ring obtained?
The Merchant of Venice.
Who were the chief guests?
Anthony and Cleopatra.
Troilus and Cressida.
Who were the bridegroom’s friends?
The Two Gentlemen of Verona.
Who prepared the wedding breakfast?
The Merry Wives of Windsor.
What was the honeymoon like?
A MidSummer Night’s Dream!
How would you describe their quarrel?
The Tempest.
What was their married life like?
Comedy of Errors.
What was the bridegroom’s chief occupation?
The Taming of the Shrew.
What did she give him?
Measure for Measure.
What did their friends say?
All’s Well That Ends Well.
Where did they settle.?
Hamlet.
How was their romance?
Winter’s Tale.
What’s the moral of this story?
Much Ado About Nothing.


Yen Wee with his grandsons throughout their childhood till their late teens
2
Preface
# Why This Book Was Written
My husband Yen Wee and I wanted to write a second book together after having jointly written a book entitled “Gift of Love” in 2009 for grandsons Jarrett and Ryan.
For our second book, we wanted to leave a legacy of inspiring memories to our grandsons and future younger generations. Sadly it did not materialise as a joint effort as Yen Wee was called home in his sleep on twenty-third November, 2018. Luckily there are enough memories to put the book to fruition! For me, being grounded has given me the opportunity to reflect on my life, at age eighty four , widowed after fifty-five years of happy marriage! Praise God!
Upon reflection , I often wonder how many family members really know the challenges and roadblocks parents or siblings faced in their life? Families may have shared verbally with each other but memories fade and may be forgotten. If not documented, it will be a legacy lost to future generations.
# KINTSUGI
The title of my book: “Be Proud of Your Scars, A Symbol of Strength in Life’s Journey ,” was inspired by Kintsugi, a Japanese art of putting broken pieces of pottery together to create a more beautiful art.
My life is similar to Kintsugi, full of cracks and flaws which through God’s grace, in the challenging process of repairing my imperfections, He has made me stronger and more resilient to face my life’s journey. Praise the Lord!
# My Life’s Journey
My life’s journey comprises real life stories of my colourful and challenging eighty-four years of my life, blessed by God!
Disappointments , accolades, opportunities and challenges in this book, hopefully will prepare future generations to face the realities of the world, and also seize the opportunities that are opened to them.
Unhappy episodes of ingratitude, back biting, back stabbing and jealousy are the challenges I’ve faced. This is unfortun