You Can Begin Again: Blossom, Bloom, Begin

By Audrey Ballantyne

THE EPIC STORY OF THE FIVE PIECES OF GUCCI LUGGAGE FLATTENED BY THE WINDS OF TIME

A dynamic memoir of faith, courage, excitement, and pain. The story of an individual with extraordinary faith, a trail blazer, a life full of joy and success, but balanced by heartbreaking deception, pain, financial loss, and practica

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trilogy Christian Publishing
• Release date: Jul 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9798887380186

Audrey Ballantyne

Audrey Ballantyne is a former Financial Comptroller at the Parkview Hilton Hartford, Connecticut and later General Manager of the world-renowned famous St James's Club Resort Antigua, which became the Best Leisure Hotel in the world twice while she was the GM.She has served on numerous tourism and hotel industry boards as Director and President. She has appeared in press releases, publications, and radio talks on hospitality and tourism in the USA and in the Caribbean.She was educated at Durham College, Jamaica Hotel School, Hotel Scholarship to Germany, University of Hartford, and she attended the General Managers Program at Cornell University. She has received numerous awards for Service Excellence including the Lifetime Hotelier Achievement Award from the Martin CountyHotel and Tourism Association.

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DEDICATION

A special tribute to my mom, Phyllis, and dad, Stanley, who encourage and challenge me to be the best in whatever I do and first to be grateful and give thanks to God always for everything. She was always there to guide and protect me, she taught me to work hard to be an achiever and try to lift someone else up as I move along, she kept me grounded.

To all my extended family most worthy the Kennions, Larry, Esmie, Charmaine, and the two special gentlemen Bob Yorke and Quincy Gumbs who had faith in my business acumen and encouraged me along the way.

To my two sweet daughters and granddaughters, my two sisters, and my brother to all God’s peace and love.

FOREWORD

You Can Begin Again is an intimate and captivating memoir of a young woman growing up in a loving, tight-knit, middle class family in the small town of Morant Bay, in lush St. Thomas, Jamaica. Buoyed by the strict but loving encouragement of her mother, Audrey is perfected through the many twists and turns of family life, love, pain and eventually adventure on the world stage. When her marriage to her soulmate falls apart and against the tumultuous backdrop of political change in her small island nation in the 1970s, Audrey wins a scholarship to Germany as an international student, from there she goes on to university in the USA. 

Through various successes and roadblocks, Audrey reaches the pinnacle of success as General Manager of an award-winning, best leisure hotel in the world, two years running. A remarkable achievement in her field where at this top-class international level only two women including herself held the title of General Manager. Audrey takes us through her life where as a small child her faith in God is rooted. Looking back, she sees how God’s Hand has guided her, covered her with favor, and opened doors that no man could shut. A riveting story of faith, trust, and perseverance. You can begin again!

PREFACE

The Hazel Eyes of Love

The story of my birth was fascinating as told to me by my beautiful Aunt Clarice. Sixty years later, as related by her it was a very bleak day, Monday the 13th of December. My mom Phyllis was told that to have a smooth and painless delivery she had to keep on walking around the room for eight hours so my Aunt Clarice, who was about to be a medical student walked with my mom for eight hours. Of course, this is an old wife’s Caribbean tale at its best they walked around until 4:00 a.m. On that Tuesday morning December 14th, I was told my mom wrapped herself in my father’s shirt as he was not there with her, and oh he was the love of her life, yes, she was deeply in love with him, and so I was her love child. Just imagine how exciting it was for me to hear the story of my birth. She told me that my mom was so happy and proud that she kept asking her to touch her tummy to determine if I was moving and, of course, this was also exciting for Aunt Clarice who was aspiring to become a doctor. This would be her first medical examination with her sister as her patient; such a great adventure.

I came into a world where I was loved and affectionately cared for by my sweet mom. At a very tender age I knew I wanted to be a doctor. Once, when my teacher at the local school asked why, I can recall being very emphatic with my response, Because I know I have the ability. I later realized that I did not have the ability to deal with the sight of blood so that went by very quickly and of course to my sweet mom’s disappointment. I, however, in later years had a few awfully close friends who were doctors that took great care of her needs, Juliet, Ronald and Lilith who affectionately adopted my mom.

My mom was the queen of my world, and I was her Princess. She loved me yet she was very stern and well-disciplined. You were compelled to behave in a ladylike manner and with good manners. I had to speak properly, as young ladies were supposed to be poised and polished, be kind to others, and be respectful to our elders and peers. While all the kids could speak colloquially or the local dialect patois, I had to be perfect, which I sometimes resented. However, I later realized that unknowingly I was being prepared for the wider world where the color of your skin made a difference, where your social behavior quietly identified your class, and where your entire demeanor would determine your future in years to come. I learned at an early age to give thanks and be grateful to God for all things. My mom had me go to all the churches in my community to recite the poems that she wrote for me. Or to sing some songs that I really could not sing as my vocals were not very melodious.

I remember once at a small church I was singing and of course I was completely off key and this young lady in the congregation laughed at me. That was where the service almost ended. My mother got up and asked who dared to laugh at her precious daughter while singing, she proceeded to call out this lady and slapped her for laughing at my singing. That’s my mom and I never forgot that day because I knew then, no matter what, my mother had my back.

I will always be grateful to my mom with strong appreciation and love for the way that she was able to mold me and groom me for this period of my life. I am so grateful I was able to explore and achieve great possibilities in the Hospitality Industry. I learned to strive for excellence and never to compromise my integrity for small and unproductive gain. Knowing that with honesty, pride, and dignity you can achieve and accomplish a lot.

Having said all the remarkable things about my mom, my accomplishments speak truth. I was fortunate to have had a fair amount of success, student of the year from my college, as well as valedictorian for my college. I received a hotel scholarship in Germany, a General Manager of the Year Award, being the recipient and receiving the award of having managed the best leisure hotel in the world two years consecutively. Also, I received a Hotelier lifetime award for excellence. I have had great opportunities, have travelled extensively, met some incredibly beautiful, exciting, and important people. I have learned to be humble and appreciative of all things; most of all to be grateful to God for His blessings and His mercy. Of course, I have had some setbacks, but He was always there to help me to Begin Again.

Acknowledgments

As I pause to write this acknowledgement my first and most important thanks is to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit who gives me the vision and the title of this book to be written twenty years ago and enforced my decision to get up and start writing this book at three a.m. three months ago. It was indeed a command; thanks be to God.

My special thanks to some wonderful and special people who encouraged me to share my story.

My beautiful and sweet daughter Nicole who through this book gained the knowledge and insight for the first time in her life the true experience of my life and came to understand and appreciate the truth. She became my partner and helper in spending numerous weekends and nights correcting and formatting the manuscript. My thanks to her husband Mario for being patient through all this. To my granddaughter, Amara, for her insight and talent in drawing the concept for the cover as she is truly a blessing and in my belief a vessel for God’s divine purpose.

To my beautiful daughter, Lyn, who did not have the love of her mother growing up but was always cared for. I say thank you for being an integral part of my life and a very important part of my story.

Thanks, and greatest appreciation to a wonderful and most gracious lady Pat Wiener who devoted her time and energy in typing this manuscript, without her it would not yet be completed. Pat envisaged the potential of this book as an inspiration to others and encouraged me all the way to completion. My sincere thanks.

To my friend of many years Beverly Braham, who gave me the pep talks and encouraged me by reading the manuscript and making great suggestions. Thank you.

A more than special thanks to my friend and most beautiful woman of God who was led by the Holy Spirit to assist me with the first deposit to be paid for the book Ms. Gloria Ible. May she continue to enjoy the blessings of the Lord.

To my brother Earl who has been my rock, who stood by me in times of uncertainty a kinder brother one could never hope for, may he be continually blessed. To my sisters Vivia and Carol, thanks for always loving and respecting me and for being my forever cheerleaders, rooting for me as their champion even when I did not feel that way.

To my outstanding cousins Icilda, Winnifred, Carlene and Esmie words cannot express my gratitude and love that I feel for each of you for helping me through the tough and most challenging times in my life. You are all women of grace, love, and compassion and for that you are treasured.

To all my friends and other family members, thanks for the many years of outstanding friendships, may you all be blessed.

INTRODUCTION

You Can Begin Again

In my life I have learned that the heart of seeking God’s help is prayer. Life has its ups and down, yet we find courage and strength when we rest our cares on the shoulder of our Lord, Jesus Christ. It is broad enough to