The Cards That Continue to Fall

By Ruth Dykyj

We learn that in life, things nearly always never go to plan. This was mostly the case for Hanna, a young woman whose father is a transgender, and her life always seemed to be something different to what it actually was. Through this journey of Hanna's life, she tells the story of how one of the most important things is to stay true to what you believe.

Hanna was always born to roam, and that's exactly what she would do. From helping young children in Africa to working alongside orangutans and sun bears in Borneo to just visiting friends around the world, she would always be a traveler.

Hanna has a great passion to make a difference in the life of all living beings! For all the misfortune that Hanna may have faced with the cards she had been dealt, she was just as equally blessed. Hanna finds truth, understanding, and contentment in her life through great friends and family and a passion for compassion!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris AU
• Release date: Nov 14, 2014
• ISBN: 9781499029826

Ruth Dykyj

Ruth Dykyj was born in Newcastle, Australia. This is her second autobiographical novel, the sequel to “The Cards We Are Dealt.” Ruth enjoys traveling and has a passion for animals, writing, drawing, and theatre arts. Ruth’s unique story is heartfelt and will leave you inspired and uplifted.

Book preview

Copyright © 2014 by Ruth Dykyj.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2014919579

ISBN:      Hardcover      978-1-4990-2972-7

                Softcover        978-1-4990-2977-2

                eBook             978-1-4990-2982-6

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.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 11/05/2014

Xlibris

1-800-455-039

www.Xlibris.com.au

698059

CONTENTS

Introduction

Chapter 1: July 2011

Chapter 2: The Loss of a Great Soul

Chapter 3: The Cards We Are Dealt Book Launch

Chapter 4: Los Angeles and Las Vegas

Chapter 5: Coming to Terms with a Transgendered Father

Chapter 6: Losing Kiamba the Super Dog

Chapter 7: New Zealand March 2013

Chapter 8: Preparing for Canada August 2013

Chapter 9: One Night in New York

Chapter 10: Christmas 2013

Chapter 11: January 2014 Volunteering with Orangutans and Sun Bears Borneo

Chapter 12: Preparing for the Transition of Annette

Chapter 13: Thailand February 2014

Chapter 14: Moving On with Life

Chapter 15: Never Give Up

Acknowledgements

INTRODUCTION

The cards that continue to fall is the follow on from my previous book The cards we are dealt. The cards we are dealt, took you on the journey so far of Hanna finding her way in the world, from a young child into her adulthood. It took you on the journey of Hanna growing up in a broken family, her dreams and heartaches. Travels through East Africa and the hardest card that she had been dealt.

In the cards that continue to fall it follows the journey of where Hanna is today and how she and her family are dealing with the hardest card they have been dealt.

CHAPTER ONE

July 2011

The time had arrived when Jordon would get married. After sending out all of the invites which would go to everyone, with the exclusion of his mother and her husband. The RSVP’s were returned and there were to be 220 guests attending. The wedding would be held on a property at Cameron’s pocket in North Queensland. All of the guests who could attend arrived a few days prior as many would have to travel from NSW. Hanna arrived on the Thursday before so she could spend some time with her niece Estelle. One by one everyone continued to arrive with trips to collect people from the airport, or greeting them as they would arrive after a long 2000km drive. Almost everyone would attend and be a part of Jordon’s special day. Only his two grandmas were never going to be able to get there due to health concerns and age. Hanna spent the Friday before the wedding celebrating Katherine’s hen’s night. Around 20 of her close friends attended this evening and the events that unfolded were nothing short of fun filled. Starting with a nice dinner then moving onto a pub crawl throughout the town of Mackay finishing with some drunken karaoke it was a fun time had by all. Only Hanna could not help but feel sorry that her mother would not be there to share in what would be one of her son’s most important days.

The next day everyone woke up early getting dressed and making themselves beautiful before driving out to Cameron’s Pocket. Some people had decided to camp on the property and were already out there. Hanna’s father was able to go as the female he was now known as. With so many people attending this was always going to be challenging for him. However everyone seemed to accept and appreciate him for the true person he was. The ceremony commenced and everyone was happy to see Jordon in a magical bliss. After they exchanged their vows Hanna gave a reading. This was followed by a ceremony for Estelle’s naming as she would not be christened.

After the formalities were through everyone was able to enjoy the day. This was after a planting of a tree that Katherine and Jordon had chosen to plant along with the placenta that they had kept from the birth of Estelle. In the afternoon all of the guests went across the road to where there was a nice flowing river. Here they would have photos taken with Jordon and Katherine. The celebrations went well into the night. Only with vegetarian food being served it left many people still quite hungry. For those camping they would have to wait until the next day. For Hanna, her father, Cousin Mae and neighbour Sarah they would stop on the way back into town and have some Hungry Jacks. The road on the way out was quite windy and there wasn’t really anywhere that you could pull over. Hanna, Mae and Sarah had consumed a fair amount of alcohol whilst at the wedding. This and a windy road did not mix well. Mae was sitting in the front seat while Sarah and Hanna were in the back talking and laughing, when Sarah said to Hanna Where is Mae? She is not in the car Hanna said What do you mean she has to be, although she has not really said much. Saying to her father dad Where is Mae can you see her? Her father responding with yes she is right here. Hanna leant forward and looked to see, finding her with her head under the dashboard. Sarah said to Hanna’s father I think you need to pull over with Hanna’s father not hearing her Hanna said Dad I think you need to pull over. This worked out well as Hanna needed the toilet anyway. Although there weren’t any around where they had pulled over she would just go on the side of the road. Sarah went around to Mae’s door helping her undo her seat belt and getting her out of the car. Mae had had her head under the dashboard as she was being sick. She had only bought a cheap handbag so she had emptied the contents out of it and was using it as a spew bag. When she went to throw it out of the car Sarah intercepted it thinking she did not know what she was doing and said No that’s your handbag before Mae could say anything Sarah threw it back into the hire car with vomit going everywhere. While this was quite funny it left an extreme mess that Hanna’s dad had to clean. Being the only sober one out of all of them. As soon as they got back to Jordon’s they all went to bed to sleep off the alcohol. The next day came soon enough and it was Estelle’s 2nd Birthday. So they went into town to buy her some gifts and then headed out to where the wedding was held as she had stayed there the night. Arriving back at Cameron’s pocket they met Jordon, Katherine and Estelle and a few others who had camped. Starting with some lunch and a beer it was in-comprehendible how they could consider a beer after the night that they had had. They would anyway. Spending a few hours with Estelle and playing a round of cricket. They would then go back to Jordon’s house and relax for the afternoon. The next day Hanna would fly back to Newcastle and return to work.

When she arrived home naturally her mother was disappointed that she did not get to attend the wedding or see her granddaughter for her 2nd birthday. However that is how Jordon and Katherine wanted it to be so that was how it would stay until something gave and changed the circumstance. Hanna’s mother would still ask her and Angela for some photos that she could hang on her wall. After all that Jordon and Katherine had put her through she still cared. After all Jordon was still her son.

Hanna had returned back to work at Bimbadgen winery in the Hunter Valley. After Caroline Craig’s interest in her story as a plot for a play. Hanna had agreed that she would write it into a book and then six months later Caroline could have the rights to do it as a play. Hanna was honoured to have had this support and encouragement and began writing almost straight away. Hanna had not long finished writing her book and was now looking for a publisher. With a lot of good fortune she had found one, and her work was in the publishing process. She had given the manuscript to her mother to read and while she did not like everything she had written she gave Hanna the go ahead.

Before Hanna knew it she was holding the galley copy of her book. Hanna made final alterations to the book and then resubmitted it. While she had some doubts with releasing her work she was honoured to have been given the opportunity.

While it would be the hardest story that Hanna would ever write. She felt it was a story that needed to be told and understood. Hanna knew all too well that there were so many others living through what her and her family were. She thought about how many people her story could potentially help and give encouragement to. So with this in mind she went ahead with it.

Hanna had the great fortune of having the best support and encouragement of those around her through writing her story. As it came nearer to the release date Hanna was understandably worried about how others would view her life. Thinking to herself you know what all the worlds a stage, life is no dress rehearsal and everyone is a critic. She was not going to ever be able to please everyone however believed that her story would help more people than it would hurt.

She had designed the cover of her book and showed it to some close friends for their opinions. Not having set a release date as the final read had not yet been done. She asked the opinion of her general manager on the books cover, her general manager responded with I really like it. Do you write? Hanna showing her the cover which was from a photo on her phone was the first that Rebecca had heard of Hanna’s book. She immediately backed her though. Speaking with Hanna’s manager asking is one of our staff members writing a book? With him responding no written published about to be released, Rebecca straight away said to him I want to have the book launch here can you make it happen?

Hanna was happy just to have a barbeque in the backyard with her friends and relatives to celebrate her achievement. However when her manager said to her that Rebecca wanted to have a proper book launch at Bimbadgen Hanna was overwhelmed. She said I haven’t even signed the release forms for it and I am not sure when it will be. He said that’s fine but she really would like to have it here". Hanna said she would think about it. As it would mean many people would have to travel as she lived an hour from work. Then there would be the day and date that would have to fit in with everyone she would invite. Hanna set the date for the 27th of November 2011 which gave her plenty of time to prepare as it was only August. Rebecca had the Bimbadgen marketing team involved and before Hanna knew it, her relaxed inner happiness with her achievement of having written a book. Was receiving a lot of attention. Hanna had originally decided to write the book as a background and more in depth insight into the potential play. Caroline had taken such an interest into the life of Hanna that she wanted more. Hanna was completely overwhelmed by all of this. Being quite a personal person and always giving more than she would dream to take. It stunned her just how great others thought her achievement was. Hanna was so honoured and proud of what she had achieved at only 25 years of age. Although she had always known that she had quite the unique story. With all of this to look forward to she only wanted to share it with all and any who would appreciate her story for what it was. We can’t change our life’s story but we certainly can embrace and cherish it.

CHAPTER TWO

The Loss of a Great Soul

Hanna’s Grandma on her mother’s side was now 91. While she had her full wits about her she was not in the greatest shape of health. She was suffering with emphysema and could hardly breathe let alone talk. She had a blocked heart valve and her doctor decided to have her undergo heart surgery. Hanna thought this was completely crazy, who does heart surgery on a 91 year old. Her grandma underwent the operation. Making it clear that if anything should happen, she did not wish to be revived. It was not until later that she had found out that not only did the procedure fail but also did her heart, she had died during the procedure and they had revived her. While this made her quite upset Hanna was relieved that they had disregarded her wishes. In a selfish way at least through that happening her Grandma was able to see everyone before she passed and was surrounded by loved ones when she did.

Although Jordon is not talking to his mum, she still rang him on every visit to the hospital so that he could talk to his grandma as he