Magnolia Rage

By Mary Ann Armstrong

In a series of dramatic vignettes, author Mary Ann Armstrong takes a closer look at the raw truths of family and interpersonal relationships

In Magnolia Rage, the author analyzes the loves, the laughter, the sibling rivalries, and a stream of dynamic but dysfunctional interpersonal relationships and lessons learned that impacted her own life. The result is a disarming portrait of events that reflect racial strife, economic struggle, sexual abuse, and the devastating effects of low self-esteem. Although this book is a fictionalized memoir, it is still a mirror of reality and common experiences that binds all.

The facts will speak for themselves, but through writing Magnolia Rage, the author offers her insights to the raw truths that have ultimately brought her to a healing place of acceptance, peace, and reconciliation. I admire her efforts, her determination, her tenacity, and her desire to share her story of healing with others.Cheryl Willis Hudson

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 12, 2011
• ISBN: 9781456873011

Mary Ann Armstrong

Mary Ann Armstrong is currently an Administrative Assistant of the Newark Public Schools. She is the fifth child of nine siblings, and that became her greatest asset and blessing. She shares her home with her two dogs, Mecca and Zeus. She married, and had nine children. She acquired a strong desire to write and this ultimately compelled her to write “Magnolia Rage.” She enjoys her 20 grandchildren, and one great grand daughter, and they are the center of her life. She enjoys cooking for her family and their coming home for the holidays. She also enjoys reading, listening to music, and going to the theatre. She loves attending church services regularly and spending time with her personal savior. She has hobby interest, which includes, hair styling, home décor, and fashion. She hopes that everyone who reads this novel can use their imagination to understand her need, ultimate joy, and her compassion in sharing. Overall, Mary Ann Armstrong will continue to hope that your faith can take you where her faith has delivered her. It’s to only believe that nothing is impossible!

Book preview

Copyright © 2011 by Mary Ann Armstrong.

Library of Congress Control Number:       2011902886

ISBN:         Hardcover                               978-1-4568-7300-4

                   Softcover                                 978-1-4568-7299-1

                   Ebook                                      978-1-4568-7301-1

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

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94422

Contents

Foreword

Tribute To: Lyn

Acknowledgments

Introduction

1 Who Was Wyatt Henry Brown?

2 Ginny, She Was Innocent

3 The Neighborhood Clan

4 The Family And The Firstborn

5 When I Was A Child

6 Introduction Of The Seven Siblings

7 Their Identity And Choosing Who’s Who

8 Mud On Our Faces

9 Household Demise

10 The Brother-In-Law

11 Bert’s Demise

12 What Happened To Laura And Her Children

13 Lyn Finds Peace And Moves On

14 Dora Thought She Could Escape

15 Mom, Did You Know That I Cared And Loved You?

16 Mom’s Last Rites

17 Ronny’s Weaknesses Destroyed Him

18 Less Was More Than Enough

19 Independently She Walked Away

20 Overcome With Confusion And Drugs

21 The Baby Didn’t Want To Grow Up

22 Laura’s Affected Children

23 Daddy Died Without Disgrace

24 Summary: Looking Back Then Going Forward

25 Reality Check: God Is Love

26 The Beginning After The Beginning

Conclusion

God Is The Author And Finisher Of AllGreat Books

FOREWORD

THE ACT OF writing takes courage. What does the writer want to say? What might the reader want to hear? Is there clear meaning and purpose? Does the story resonate and connect with others?

It’s easy enough to take pen to paper and to record random thoughts or streams of consciousness. But finally analyzing them for meaning takes discipline and, yes, courage.

Writing then is often a therapeutic act, especially when it is based on our own personal experiences. When a writer searches memory and records his or her facts, the very act requires scrutiny and self-examination. So often our memories can be self-selecting. It is easy to smooth out rough edges, downplay disappointments, or slightly shift the outcome of events so that the recollections are more palatable to us in print. But writing at its best requires some measure of honesty and humility.

Magnolia Rage is filled with dramatic vignettes of family and interpersonal relationships that reflect the author’s burning desire to write a story that many families may relate to. Mary Ann Armstrong has created a series of vignettes that reflect a saga of family memories and pains. She has analyzed the loves, the laughter, the sibling rivalries, and a stream of dynamic but dysfunctional interpersonal relationships and lessons learned that impacted her own life. The result is a disarming portrait of events that reflect racial strife, economic struggle, sexual abuse, and the devastating effects of low self-esteem.

Mary Ann Armstrong’s book is a fictionalized memoir, but ultimately the writing is not only an act of courage but it is an act of faith. The facts will speak for themselves, but through writing Magnolia Rage, the author offers her insights to the raw truths that have ultimately brought her to a healing place of acceptance, peace, and reconciliation. I admire her efforts, her determination, her tenacity, and her desire to share her story of healing with others.

—Cheryl Willis Hudson

TRIBUTE TO: LYN

MAY SHE REST IN PEACE

LYN LOVED GOD first even before her family. She was a faithful servant. She always placed herself last. I loved her so much. I wanted Lyn to flourish like the beautiful, pretty, and sweet rose that she was. Just as the thorns protect the rose, I wanted her to be protected from the abuse that she endured from her family’s destruction. I waited for the rose in her to bloom and flourish, but Lyn couldn’t withstand any more of the physical pain or the mental stress that permeated and surrounded her life. So after receiving spiritual tugging, God looked in his Book of the Lamb and found Lyn’s name. He called her home to give her rest, and now she has peace!

I will always love you, Lyn.

—Baby sister

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

THIS NOVEL IS dedicated to the memory of my deceased sister, Lyn, my daughters, Toni, Patience Jianna, and Love, whose ongoing interrogations and support gave me the encouragement to continue, and my friend, Gwen, who is a messenger from God. She reminded me that the gifts from God were exclusive for those that He had chosen, and that they were not to be suppressed. I also realized that this was the year of completion; therefore, I must finish this promised gift now! My friend, Traci, thank you for the time spent going over my every line. I love you. My sons, Travis, Leroy, and Khoy, whom I found to be my silent enforcers, nonetheless, very loudly they would ask, How are things going, Mom? We always look up to you because you are our inspiration. My baby girls Gabrielle, Ann-Marie and Sommer, Victoria, Danielle, Brie, Yazmin, Lamoni, and Katlyn, whenever they would visit, they would always interfere with my writings on my computer by their turning my computer into a radio, or their personal favorite musical jukebox. My grandsons, Yorel, Jose, and Gregory, always wanted to play games and race cars on the monitor, right over my writing.

My pastor, the Reverend Smalls, who provided the prescription for life: Live honestly, save a little money, take a needed vacation annually, read and study your Bible, and tithe monthly.

There were hours that I would become vague about my writing adventure. After speaking to him, I would regain my traction and then continue with the fervent prayer of: Lord please re-ignite my burning compulsion to write! After praying, I went back on the track I became passionate once again.

Thank you Reverend Smalls!

My friend, Mark, who was able to retrieve my writings from my broken laptop, was very instrumental in my being able to finish this book.

It had become a race between me, my grandsons, and the girls; I decided I had to win this race. My finishing this book was and is imperative to my soul’s worth. Either I had to purchase a new computer, or just put my project on hold forever. Thank you all my teenage babies for your subtle encouragement. I won! You won! Our family won!

It has been three years since the Lord laid this book on my heart. I thank you Lord for Your Grace and Your Mercy! It has allowed me to finish Your assignment because of my burning desire to write.

I also want to thank each of my readers from my heart. I will continue to keep you in my heart, which is where all love begins. We have come to the kingdom for such a time as this.

INTRODUCTION

THE FIRE HAD leisurely simmered for hours. It was after 8:00 a.m., and everyone had gone either to school or to work. The entire three family house was unoccupied. All families were on their routine schedules today. It seemed to be a normal Monday morning. However, this Monday morning was going to be very different. It was as if a prescriptive omen was hanging over the eaves of the house, and everyone had to hurry away from their Magnolia Terrace apartments to meet their separate destinies.

The papers were cunningly stacked in the rear of the downstairs hallway. They were piled high and wide to mysteriously resemble the style associated with a hermit pack rat. There must have been a halo of weights stealthily hanging over the inhabitants’ sense of smell because no one smelled the aroma of smoke as they rushed out to meet the new day. Apparently, they were all physically and mentally concentrating on starting their week off with a sense of purpose. Consequently, keeping these ideas in mind, the following events occurred rapidly after they scurried away.

Within two hours, the fire had engulfed the entire house. Not a chair, door, or window was left to verify that it had ever existed. All of the remains were in a heap of charred cinders. When the Eatontown Fire Department trucks arrived, there was nothing for them to save because the fire had wantonly lashed out and devoured all that was in its path. It was totally burned inside and out. The severity of the fire shocked everyone who lived nearby, especially the next-door neighbors. They began to bring out their water hoses and saturate their houses with water. The fire totally consumed the Magnolia Terrace house. It burned so quickly that one would think it had been viciously drenched with gasoline and then maliciously torched. But after the investigation was completed, it was determined that the huge stacks of dry newspapers had caused the combustion that ignited into this swirling blaze of flames.

All of the horrible events that had transpired within those walls, over the years, had finally met the end that they deserved. Those memories were etched deeply within my mind and created vivid nightmares for me. Later, several of my family members emotionally shared their own personal views about the rage-filled house on Magnolia Terrace.

As I reminisce about those moments, I have considered them as examples of life’s hard lessons to profit by. The value of those lessons is that they have shown me why a person should not live with pain, mixed and confused personalities, and lastly, lovelessness. I have decided that I can opt out of all those haunting past nightmares by seeking and discovering who I am. Making the right choices, as one mature in this life, will be manifested through the fruits of your efforts. You will discover your purpose in life. The valley and the mountaintop visits will guarantee that.

My purpose, it seems, is being expressed and exposed through my writings. I am now living my own dreams. Writing has become my passion and vehicle for a renewed life. As God has promised, I will restore all that the locusts have destroyed and taken away. (Joel 2:25)