article Rooi Rose RSA
Mary, your article helped me to understand and accepted a little better what happened to my relationship with also the love of my life Though so! After 37 years. He also wanted a gap for a while and just became longer and longer untill I had to find out he had this young girl in his life as old as our daugther and money that we did not have was being spent on her! This after I had our second child adopted (as he did not stand by me) covered up for him for years as not wanted anybody to dislike or speak bad about him! I believed he was always honest with me even what he did and where their for him. Know he won’t speak to me contact the grand children very little and stopped supporting me. At 56 I am working again for cosmetic counter in retail renting a small cottage, still with a lot of debt he left me with feel better and see light ! It is so strange that they can wipe out everything you shared together and have a new life with new people? Is this a mind change or what? So glad you made it and is happy and well. I am still on medicine
To help me cope and sometimes real diffucult but will get there! Regards Dina Flynn
article Rooi Rose RSA
Mary, your article helped me to understand and accepted a little better what happened to my relationship with also the love of my life Though so! After 37 years. He also wanted a gap for a while and just became longer and longer untill I had to find out he had this young girl in his life as old as our daugther and money that we did not have was being spent on her! This after I had our second child adopted (as he did not stand by me) covered up for him for years as not wanted anybody to dislike or speak bad about him! I believed he was always honest with me even what he did and where their for him. Know he won’t speak to me contact the grand children very little and stopped supporting me. At 56 I am working again for cosmetic counter in retail renting a small cottage, still with a lot of debt he left me with feel better and see light ! It is so strange that they can wipe out everything you shared together and have a new life with new people? Is this a mind change or what? So glad you made it and is happy and well. I am still on medicine
To help me cope and sometimes real diffucult but will get there! Regards Dina Flynn
Ballinrobe Historical Society
My mother’s journal, Green Are the Hills Far Away, talks of life in the early 20th century in Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo. For more on Ballinrobe visit this link which is full of fascinating historical information: www.historicalballinrobe.com
Ballinrobe Historical Society
Ballinrobe Historical Society
My mother’s journal, Green Are the Hills Far Away, talks of life in the early 20th century in Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo. For more on Ballinrobe visit this link which is full of fascinating historical information: www.historicalballinrobe.com
Ballinrobe Historical Society
Ballinrobe Historical Society
My mother’s journal, Green Are the Hills Far Away, talks of life in the early 20th century in Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo. For more on Ballinrobe visit this link which is full of fascinating historical information: www.historicalballinrobe.com
Ballinrobe Historical Society
Ballinrobe Historical Society
My mother’s journal, Green Are the Hills Far Away talks of life in the early 20th century in Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo. For more on Ballinrobe visit this link which is full of fascinating historical information: www.historicalballinrobe.com
Ballinrobe Historical Society
Ballinrobe Historical Society
My mother’s journal, Green Are the Hills Far Away talks of life in the early 20th century in Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo. For more on Ballinrobe visit this link which is full of fascinating historical information: www.historicalballinrobe.com
Ballinrobe Historical Society
Ballinrobe Historical Society
My mother’s journal, Green Are the Hills Far Away talks of life in the early 20th century in Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo. For more on Ballinrobe visit this link which is full of fascinating historical information: www.historicalballinrobe.com
Ballinrobe Historical Society
Ballinrobe Historical Society
My mother’s journal, Green Are the Hills Far Away talks of life in the early 20th century in Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo. For more on Ballinrobe visit this link which is full of fascinating historical information: www.historicalballinrobe.com
Ballinrobe Historical Society
Ballinrobe Historical Society
My mother’s journal, Green Are the Hills Far Away talks of life in the early 20th century in Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo. For more on Ballinrobe visit this link which is full of fascinating historical information: www.historicalballinrobe.com
Ballinrobe Historical Society
Ballinrobe Historical Society
My mother’s journal talks of life in the early 20th century in Ballinrobe. For more on Ballinrobe visit this link which is full of fascinating infromation: www.historicalballinrobe.com
Ballinrobe Historical Society
BallinrobeHistoricalSociety
Ballinrobe Historical Society
My mother’s journal talks of life in the early 20th century in Ballinrobe. For more on Ballinrobe visit this link which is full of fascinating infromation: www.historicalballinrobe.com
Green Are the Hills Far Away
Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
Book Orders
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Green Are the Hills Far Away
Kathleen O’Toole and Paddy O’Connell, both from Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo, married in 1947. Kathleen’s childhood as “the red one on the hill” had earned her countless beatings from her teacher-nuns and her widowed mother; but her spirit survived undaunted. With Paddy, Kathleen found genuine happiness—and against the medical odds, gave birth to Kathryn and Mary.
A few months before her death in 1988, Kathleen wrote a short memoir. It painted a vivid picture of Ballinrobe in the 1920s; the Irish experience in England during WWII; and life as an RAF wife, including two postings to Cyprus. The memoir, which she called Green Are the Hills Far Away, took the form of a letter to her daughters. This book is an unabashed account of a bold, spirited life lived to the full.
R60-00 / $8-00
|
 |
Who Do You Belong To?
Continues the story of Mary’s search for her missing husband—and of her sudden, shocking encounter with him, fourteen years after his disappearance. The unexpected success of Mary’s first book changed her life irreversibly, setting in motion a new journey of triumphant discovery.
Who Do You Belong To? takes us along with her as she travels the world, crafting an exuberantly independent life radiant with curiosity, promise, and fulfilment.
R120-00 / $17-00
|
 |
Remember Me?
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
R120-00 /$17.00
|
 |
We all have challenges in our lives. Sometimes we don’t see them coming. Sometimes we invite them in. Some are bigger than others. Sometimes they come one right behind the other. Sometimes they show up all at once. Sometimes we have to make a choice in how we deal with these challenges.
R120-00 / $17.00
|
|
|
Successful people make themselves successful. They have goals, dreams, desires, wants, needs and passion.
The more you can imagine achieving your goals, the greater the likelihood of success.
People with passion have a sense of purpose and meaning. They are achieving their goals.
Twenty-six co-authors from around the world have come together to bring you insight and wisdom that will help you discover new possibilities and take you to new levels of success
R120-00 / $17-00
|
Online Currency Converter
SA Distribution
Xavier Nagel
xaviernagel@mweb.co.za
021 447 1225
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Privacy Policy:
We use PayPal to process all of our payments and do not store any financial information on our servers. All financial information you enter into the registration forms is covered by PayPal’s Privacy Policy
Green Are the Hills Far Away
Excerpts from my mother’s journal were featured in my recent book ‘Who Do You Belong To?’ Realising that it was a valuable record of the social history of Ballinrobe my sister Kathryn and I decided to publish ‘Green Are the Hills Far Away’, together with many photos of days gone by, as a tribute to our mother’s memory; an unabashed account of a bold, spirited life lived to the full. It is now available for purchase.
Green Are the Hills Far Away
Excerpts from my mother’s journal were featured in my recent book ‘Who Do You Belong To?’ Realising that it was a valuable record of the social history of Ballinrobe my sister Kathryn and I decided to publish ‘Green Are the Hills Far Away’, together with many photos of days gone by, as a tribute to our mother’s memory; an unabashed account of a bold, spirited life lived to the full. It is now available for purchase.
GHFA_cover_fin_lessY.indd
GHFA_cover_web
Green Are the Hills Far Away
Green Are the Hills Far Away
My sister Kathryn and I have just
GHFA_cover_web
Book Orders
|
|
Green Are the Hills Far Away
Kathleen O’Toole and Paddy O’Connell, both from Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo, married in 1947. Kathleen’s childhood as “the red one on the hill” had earned her countless beatings from her teacher-nuns and her widowed mother; but her spirit survived undaunted. With Paddy, Kathleen found genuine happiness—and against the medical odds, gave birth to Kathryn and Mary.
A few months before her death in 1988, Kathleen wrote a short memoir. It painted a vivid picture of Ballinrobe in the 1920s; the Irish experience in England during WWII; and life as an RAF wife, including two postings to Cyprus. The memoir, which she called Green Are the Hills Far Away, took the form of a letter to her daughters. This book is an unabashed account of a bold, spirited life lived to the full.
R60-00 / $8-00
|
|
Who Do You Belong To?
Continues the story of Mary’s search for her missing husband—and of her sudden, shocking encounter with him, fourteen years after his disappearance. The unexpected success of Mary’s first book changed her life irreversibly, setting in motion a new journey of triumphant discovery.
Who Do You Belong To? takes us along with her as she travels the world, crafting an exuberantly independent life radiant with curiosity, promise, and fulfilment.
R120-00 / $17-00
|
|
Remember Me?
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
R120-00 /$17.00
|
|
We all have challenges in our lives. Sometimes we don’t see them coming. Sometimes we invite them in. Some are bigger than others. Sometimes they come one right behind the other. Sometimes they show up all at once. Sometimes we have to make a choice in how we deal with these challenges.
R120-00 / $17.00
|
|
|
Successful people make themselves successful. They have goals, dreams, desires, wants, needs and passion.
The more you can imagine achieving your goals, the greater the likelihood of success.
People with passion have a sense of purpose and meaning. They are achieving their goals.
Twenty-six co-authors from around the world have come together to bring you insight and wisdom that will help you discover new possibilities and take you to new levels of success
R120-00 / $17-00
|
Online Currency Converter
SA Distribution
Xavier Nagel
xaviernagel@mweb.co.za
021 447 1225
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
Privacy Policy:
We use PayPal to process all of our payments and do not store any financial information on our servers. All financial information you enter into the registration forms is covered by PayPal’s Privacy Policy
Book Orders
|
|
Green Are the Hills Far Away
Kathleen O’Toole and Paddy O’Connell, both from Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo, married in 1947. Kathleen’s childhood as “the red one on the hill” had earned her countless beatings from her teacher-nuns and her widowed mother; but her spirit survived undaunted. With Paddy, Kathleen found genuine happiness—and against the medical odds, gave birth to Kathryn and Mary.
A few months before her death in 1988, Kathleen wrote a short memoir. It painted a vivid picture of Ballinrobe in the 1920s; the Irish experience in England during WWII; and life as an RAF wife, including two postings to Cyprus. The memoir, which she called Green Are the Hills Far Away, took the form of a letter to her daughters. This book is an unabashed account of a bold, spirited life lived to the full.
R60-00 / $8-00
|
|
Who Do You Belong To?
Continues the story of Mary’s search for her missing husband—and of her sudden, shocking encounter with him, fourteen years after his disappearance. The unexpected success of Mary’s first book changed her life irreversibly, setting in motion a new journey of triumphant discovery.
Who Do You Belong To? takes us along with her as she travels the world, crafting an exuberantly independent life radiant with curiosity, promise, and fulfilment.
R120-00 / $17-00
|
|
Remember Me?
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
R120-00 /$17.00
|
|
We all have challenges in our lives. Sometimes we don’t see them coming. Sometimes we invite them in. Some are bigger than others. Sometimes they come one right behind the other. Sometimes they show up all at once. Sometimes we have to make a choice in how we deal with these challenges.
R120-00 / $17.00
|
|
|
Successful people make themselves successful. They have goals, dreams, desires, wants, needs and passion.
The more you can imagine achieving your goals, the greater the likelihood of success.
People with passion have a sense of purpose and meaning. They are achieving their goals.
Twenty-six co-authors from around the world have come together to bring you insight and wisdom that will help you discover new possibilities and take you to new levels of success
R120-00 / $17-00
|
Online Currency Converter
SA Distribution
Xavier Nagel
xaviernagel@mweb.co.za
021 447 1225
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
Privacy Policy:
We use PayPal to process all of our payments and do not store any financial information on our servers. All financial information you enter into the registration forms is covered by PayPal’s Privacy Policy
Book Orders
|
|
Green Are the Hills Far Away
Kathleen O’Toole and Paddy O’Connell, both from Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo, married in 1947. Kathleen’s childhood as “the red one on the hill” had earned her countless beatings from her teacher-nuns and her widowed mother; but her spirit survived undaunted. With Paddy, Kathleen found genuine happiness—and against the medical odds, gave birth to Kathryn and Mary.
A few months before her death in 1988, Kathleen wrote a short memoir. It painted a vivid picture of Ballinrobe in the 1920s; the Irish experience in England during WWII; and life as an RAF wife, including two postings to Cyprus. The memoir, which she called Green Are the Hills Far Away, took the form of a letter to her daughters. This book is an unabashed account of a bold, spirited life lived to the full.
R60-00 / $8-00
|
|
Who Do You Belong To?
Continues the story of Mary’s search for her missing husband—and of her sudden, shocking encounter with him, fourteen years after his disappearance. The unexpected success of Mary’s first book changed her life irreversibly, setting in motion a new journey of triumphant discovery.
Who Do You Belong To? takes us along with her as she travels the world, crafting an exuberantly independent life radiant with curiosity, promise, and fulfilment.
R120-00 / $17-00
|
|
Remember Me?
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
R120-00 /$17.00
|
|
We all have challenges in our lives. Sometimes we don’t see them coming. Sometimes we invite them in. Some are bigger than others. Sometimes they come one right behind the other. Sometimes they show up all at once. Sometimes we have to make a choice in how we deal with these challenges.
R120-00 / $17.00
|
|
|
Life Choices – Pursuing Your Passion
Successful people make themselves successful. They have goals, dreams, desires, wants, needs and passion.
The more you can imagine achieving your goals, the greater the likelihood of success.
People with passion have a sense of purpose and meaning. They are achieving their goals.
Twenty-six co-authors from around the world have come together to bring you insight and wisdom that will help you discover new possibilities and take you to new levels of success
R120-00 / $17-00
|
Online Currency Converter
SA Distribution
Xavier Nagel
xaviernagel@mweb.co.za
021 447 1225
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
Privacy Policy:
We use PayPal to process all of our payments and do not store any financial information on our servers. All financial information you enter into the registration forms is covered by PayPal’s Privacy Policy
Book Orders
|
|
Green Are the Hills Far Away
Kathleen O’Toole and Paddy O’Connell, both from Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo, married in 1947. Kathleen’s childhood as “the red one on the hill” had earned her countless beatings from her teacher-nuns and her widowed mother; but her spirit survived undaunted. With Paddy, Kathleen found genuine happiness—and against the medical odds, gave birth to Kathryn and Mary.
A few months before her death in 1988, Kathleen wrote a short memoir. It painted a vivid picture of Ballinrobe in the 1920s; the Irish experience in England during WWII; and life as an RAF wife, including two postings to Cyprus. The memoir, which she called Green Are the Hills Far Away, took the form of a letter to her daughters. This book is an unabashed account of a bold, spirited life lived to the full.
R60-00 / $8-00
|
|
Who Do You Belong To?
Continues the story of Mary’s search for her missing husband—and of her sudden, shocking encounter with him, fourteen years after his disappearance. The unexpected success of Mary’s first book changed her life irreversibly, setting in motion a new journey of triumphant discovery.
Who Do You Belong To? takes us along with her as she travels the world, crafting an exuberantly independent life radiant with curiosity, promise, and fulfilment.
R120-00 / $17-00
|
|
Remember Me?
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
R120-00 /$17.00
|
|
Life Choices – Navigating Difficult Paths
We all have challenges in our lives. Sometimes we don’t see them coming. Sometimes we invite them in. Some are bigger than others. Sometimes they come one right behind the other. Sometimes they show up all at once. Sometimes we have to make a choice in how we deal with these challenges.
R120-00 / $17.00
|
|
|
Life Choices – Pursuing Your Passion
Successful people make themselves successful. They have goals, dreams, desires, wants, needs and passion.
The more you can imagine achieving your goals, the greater the likelihood of success.
People with passion have a sense of purpose and meaning. They are achieving their goals.
Twenty-six co-authors from around the world have come together to bring you insight and wisdom that will help you discover new possibilities and take you to new levels of success
R120-00 / $17-00
|
Online Currency Converter
SA Distribution
Xavier Nagel
xaviernagel@mweb.co.za
021 447 1225
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
Privacy Policy:
We use PayPal to process all of our payments and do not store any financial information on our servers. All financial information you enter into the registration forms is covered by PayPal’s Privacy Policy
Book Orders
|
|
Green Are the Hills Far Away
Kathleen O’Toole and Paddy O’Connell, both from Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo, married in 1947. Kathleen’s childhood as “the red one on the hill” had earned her countless beatings from her teacher-nuns and her widowed mother; but her spirit survived undaunted. With Paddy, Kathleen found genuine happiness—and against the medical odds, gave birth to Kathryn and Mary.
A few months before her death in 1988, Kathleen wrote a short memoir. It painted a vivid picture of Ballinrobe in the 1920s; the Irish experience in England during WWII; and life as an RAF wife, including two postings to Cyprus. The memoir, which she called Green Are the Hills Far Away, took the form of a letter to her daughters. This book is an unabashed account of a bold, spirited life lived to the full.
R60-00 / $8-00
|
|
Who Do You Belong To?
Continues the story of Mary’s search for her missing husband—and of her sudden, shocking encounter with him, fourteen years after his disappearance. The unexpected success of Mary’s first book changed her life irreversibly, setting in motion a new journey of triumphant discovery.
Who Do You Belong To? takes us along with her as she travels the world, crafting an exuberantly independent life radiant with curiosity, promise, and fulfilment.
R120-00 / $17-00
|
|
Remember Me?
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
R110-00 /$17.00
|
|
Life Choices – Navigating Difficult Paths
We all have challenges in our lives. Sometimes we don’t see them coming. Sometimes we invite them in. Some are bigger than others. Sometimes they come one right behind the other. Sometimes they show up all at once. Sometimes we have to make a choice in how we deal with these challenges.
R130-00 / $17.00
|
|
|
Life Choices – Pursuing Your Passion
Successful people make themselves successful. They have goals, dreams, desires, wants, needs and passion.
The more you can imagine achieving your goals, the greater the likelihood of success.
People with passion have a sense of purpose and meaning. They are achieving their goals.
Twenty-six co-authors from around the world have come together to bring you insight and wisdom that will help you discover new possibilities and take you to new levels of success
R120-00 / $17-00
|
Online Currency Converter
SA Distribution
Xavier Nagel
xaviernagel@mweb.co.za
021 447 1225
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
Privacy Policy:
We use PayPal to process all of our payments and do not store any financial information on our servers. All financial information you enter into the registration forms is covered by PayPal’s Privacy Policy
Book Orders
|
|
Green Are the Hills Far Away
Kathleen O’Toole and Paddy O’Connell, both from Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo, married in 1947. Kathleen’s childhood as “the red one on the hill” had earned her countless beatings from her teacher-nuns and her widowed mother; but her spirit survived undaunted. With Paddy, Kathleen found genuine happiness—and against the medical odds, gave birth to Kathryn and Mary.
A few months before her death in 1988, Kathleen wrote a short memoir. It painted a vivid picture of Ballinrobe in the 1920s; the Irish experience in England during WWII; and life as an RAF wife, including two postings to Cyprus. The memoir, which she called Green Are the Hills Far Away, took the form of a letter to her daughters. This book is an unabashed account of a bold, spirited life lived to the full.
R60-00 / $8-00
|
|
Who Do You Belong To?
Continues the story of Mary’s search for her missing husband—and of her sudden, shocking encounter with him, fourteen years after his disappearance. The unexpected success of Mary’s first book changed her life irreversibly, setting in motion a new journey of triumphant discovery.
Who Do You Belong To? takes us along with her as she travels the world, crafting an exuberantly independent life radiant with curiosity, promise, and fulfilment.
R120-00 / $17-00
|
|
Remember Me?
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
R110-00 /$17.00
|
|
Life Choices – Navigating Difficult Paths
We all have challenges in our lives. Sometimes we don’t see them coming. Sometimes we invite them in. Some are bigger than others. Sometimes they come one right behind the other. Sometimes they show up all at once. Sometimes we have to make a choice in how we deal with these challenges.
R130-00 / $17.00
|
|
|
Life Choices – Pursuing Your Passion
Successful people make themselves successful. They have goals, dreams, desires, wants, needs and passion.
The more you can imagine achieving your goals, the greater the likelihood of success.
People with passion have a sense of purpose and meaning. They are achieving their goals.
Twenty-six co-authors from around the world have come together to bring you insight and
wisdom that will help you discover new possibilities and take you to new levels of success
R120-00 / $17-00
|
Online Currency Converter
SA Distribution
Xavier Nagel
xaviernagel@mweb.co.za
021 447 1225
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
Privacy Policy:
We use PayPal to process all of our payments and do not store any financial information on our servers. All financial information you enter into the registration forms is covered by PayPal’s Privacy Policy
Green Are the Hills Far Away
Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
Life Choices – Pursuing Your Passion
Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
Book Orders
|
|
Green Are the Hills Far Away
Kathleen O’Toole and Paddy O’Connell, both from Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo, married in 1947. Kathleen’s childhood as “the red one on the hill” had earned her countless beatings from her teacher-nuns and her widowed mother; but her spirit survived undaunted. With Paddy, Kathleen found genuine happiness—and against the medical odds, gave birth to Kathryn and Mary.
A few months before her death in 1988, Kathleen wrote a short memoir. It painted a vivid picture of Ballinrobe in the 1920s; the Irish experience in England during WWII; and life as an RAF wife, including two postings to Cyprus. The memoir, which she called Green Are the Hills Far Away, took the form of a letter to her daughters. This book is an unabashed account of a bold, spirited life lived to the full.
R120-00 / $17-00
|
|
Who Do You Belong To?
Continues the story of Mary’s search for her missing husband—and of her sudden, shocking encounter with him, fourteen years after his disappearance. The unexpected success of Mary’s first book changed her life irreversibly, setting in motion a new journey of triumphant discovery.
Who Do You Belong To? takes us along with her as she travels the world, crafting an exuberantly independent life radiant with curiosity, promise, and fulfilment.
R120-00 / $17-00
|
|
Remember Me?
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
R110-00 /$17.00
|
|
Life Choices – Navigating Difficult Paths
We all have challenges in our lives. Sometimes we don’t see them coming. Sometimes we invite them in. Some are bigger than others. Sometimes they come one right behind the other. Sometimes they show up all at once. Sometimes we have to make a choice in how we deal with these challenges.
R130-00 / $17.00
|
|
|
Life Choices – Pursuing Your Passion
Successful people make themselves successful. They have goals, dreams, desires, wants, needs and passion.
The more you can imagine achieving your goals, the greater the likelihood of success.
People with passion have a sense of purpose and meaning. They are achieving their goals.
Twenty-six co-authors from around the world have come together to bring you insight and
wisdom that will help you discover new possibilities and take you to new levels of success
R120-00 / $17-00
|
Online Currency Converter
SA Distribution
Xavier Nagel
xaviernagel@mweb.co.za
021 447 1225
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
Privacy Policy:
We use PayPal to process all of our payments and do not store any financial information on our servers. All financial information you enter into the registration forms is covered by PayPal’s Privacy Policy
Life Choices – Pursuing Your Passion
Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
Sku: ISBN-0-620-36648-8
Shipping Rate: C
Life Choices – Pursuing Your Passion
Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
Life Choices – Pursuing Your Passion
Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
Green Are the Hills Far Away
Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
Sku: ISBN-0-620-36648-7
Shipping Rate: C
Green Are the Hills Far Away
Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
Green Are the Hills Far Away
Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
passion
Green Are the Hills Far Away
|
Kathleen O’Toole and Paddy O’Connell, both from Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo, married in 1947. Kathleen’s childhood as “the red one on the hill” had earned her countless beatings from her teacher-nuns and her widowed mother; but her spirit survived undaunted. With Paddy, Kathleen found genuine happiness—and against the medical odds, gave birth to Kathryn and Mary.
A few months before her death in 1988, Kathleen wrote a short memoir. It painted a vivid picture of Ballinrobe in the 1920s; the Irish experience in England during WWII; and life as an RAF wife, including two postings to Cyprus. The memoir, which she called Green Are the Hills Far Away, took the form of a letter to her daughters. This book is an unabashed account of a bold, spirited life lived to the full. |
Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
Green Are the Hills Far Away
|
Kathleen O’Toole and Paddy O’Connell, both from Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo, married in 1947. Kathleen’s childhood as “the red one on the hill” had earned her countless beatings from her teacher-nuns and her widowed mother; but her spirit survived undaunted. With Paddy, Kathleen found genuine happiness—and against the medical odds, gave birth to Kathryn and Mary.
A few months before her death in 1988, Kathleen wrote a short memoir. It painted a vivid picture of Ballinrobe in the 1920s; the Irish experience in England during WWII; and life as an RAF wife, including two postings to Cyprus. The memoir, which she called Green Are the Hills Far Away, took the form of a letter to her daughters. This book is an unabashed account of a bold, spirited life lived to the full. |
Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
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Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
Green Are the Hills Far Away
|
Kathleen O’Toole and Paddy O’Connell, both from Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo, married in 1947. Kathleen’s childhood as “the red one on the hill” had earned her countless beatings from her teacher-nuns and her widowed mother; but her spirit survived undaunted. With Paddy, Kathleen found genuine happiness—and against the medical odds, gave birth to Kathryn and Mary.
A few months before her death in 1988, Kathleen wrote a short memoir. It painted a vivid picture of Ballinrobe in the 1920s; the Irish experience in England during WWII; and life as an RAF wife, including two postings to Cyprus. The memoir, which she called Green Are the Hills Far Away, took the form of a letter to her daughters. This book is an unabashed account of a bold, spirited life lived to the full. |
Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
|
Kathleen O’Toole and Paddy O’Connell, both from Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo, married in 1947. Kathleen’s childhood as “the red one on the hill” had earned her countless beatings from her teacher-nuns and her widowed mother; but her spirit survived undaunted. With Paddy, Kathleen found genuine happiness—and against the medical odds, gave birth to Kathryn and Mary.
A few months before her death in 1988, Kathleen wrote a short memoir. It painted a vivid picture of Ballinrobe in the 1920s; the Irish experience in England during WWII; and life as an RAF wife, including two postings to Cyprus. The memoir, which she called Green Are the Hills Far Away, took the form of a letter to her daughters. This book is an unabashed account of a bold, spirited life lived to the full. |
Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
Green Are the Hills Far Away
Book signing Ballinrobe 2010
Book signing Ballinrobe 2010
Meeting my man……
In my 50 years, I had never left South Africa, and this was the perfect opportunity to have an adventure. John invited me to stay with him, so I didn’t have to worry about accommodation. My decision was made and I started making plans. The Visa application went well and I kept telling myself if everything went smoothly without any hitches or problems, then we are meant to be. The 40 day count down began and my excitement mounted. Our relationship continued to grow via sms’s, facebook messages and phonecalls. I purchased my ticket, and two weeks later my Visa arrived.
“The” day finally dawned and I was off to the airport. My very first long flight. My son kept asking me, “are you nervous yet?”. The strange thing was that I never got nervous at all, as I was so sure that I was doing the right thing. My friends arrived unexpectedly at the airport to see me off and we all chatted excitedly. It was finally time to board the plane. We said our goodbyes and my adventure began.
As I sat on the plane waiting to take off, I said a little prayer, that all would go well and that in 12 hours I would be with this man I had falling so deeply in love with. My anticipation at seeing him again after 30 years was almost overwhelming.
The flight was uneventful, and I passed the hours by staring out the window looking into the night, watching the moon and the stars, and the lights of the ships way down below as we flew over the sea. Morning arrived as we flew over the White Cliffs of Dover and on into Heathrow, where I was met by my friends, who took me home for coffee to pass the 5 hour stopover.
Back to Heathrow and onto a small plane to Manchester. Due to unforeseen circumstances, John was not able to fetch me and asked me to catch the train to Doncaster where he would be waiting for me. Suddenly I felt very independent at having to do all these things that I had never done before. Catching a shuttle to the station and then the train to Doncaster. The trip was beautiful and I enjoyed every minute of it. It gave me time to just relax and enjoy the ride, and appreciate the scenery.
Next stop Doncaster station. I hauled all my luggage off the train and suddenly felt his arms around me. I turned and my arms flew up around his neck. My life’s search was over, I was home. He kissed me and and we held each other, neither wanting to let go. I knew that we were meant to be together. From that moment on we were inseparable for the next 30 wonderful, blissful days. As his friend drove us back home he held my hand, and I felt safe and secure with him.
He ran my bath and made me something to eat. I climbed into bed and as I drifted off, Cape Town and my life seemed a million miles away. I was with the man I loved and I had never been happier.
I was woken the next morning with a kiss and a cup of tea and we fell into a routine from day one. Either he brought tea or I did, whoever was awake first. We spent hours talking about our lives and what had happened since we were at school. We talked about our likes and dislikes and found so much common ground. We shared so many interests, views and dreams for our future together.
The process of discovery was amazing. The realization that this was “it” and we were finally together, was overwhelming. Even though we had exchanged hundreds of messages over the past 7 months, and so much information, we still had so much to share. Our love for each other just grew stronger and more intense by the day.
Our time together was wonderful and we enjoyed every moment of being together. Catching buses, walking in the Moore’s, exploring the countryside, having coffee in numerous little coffee shops, shopping, cooking, cleaning and loving, plenty of loving.
The weeks went by too quickly and before I knew it we were driving back to Manchester airport. My head was buzzing, I did not want to leave, but I missed my kids and family. My heart was ripped in two. I couldn’t bare the thought of leaving John behind. But as we said goodbye I knew that it would only be for a while, and we would be together again soon. The holiday was over, and our life together had just begun.
It’s been almost three months since I returned home, and we are still counting the days till we can be together again. Only this time it will be for the rest of our lives. There is nothing more satisfying than knowing that your search is over and that you can just relax and be comfortable in the knowledge that your life has come full circle and that your love will be home soon.
Meeting my man……
In my 50 years, I had never left South Africa, and this was the perfect opportunity to have an adventure. John invited me to stay with him, so I didn’t have to worry about accommodation. My decision was made and I started making plans. The Visa application went well and I kept telling myself if everything went smoothly without any hitches or problems, then we are meant to be. The 40 day count down began and my excitement mounted. Our relationship continued to grow via sms’s, facebook messages and phonecalls. I purchased my ticket, and two weeks later my Visa arrived.
“The” day finally dawned and I was off to the airport. My very first long flight. My son kept asking me, “are you nervous yet?”. The strange thing was that I never got nervous at all, as I was so sure that I was doing the right thing. My friends arrived unexpectedly at the airport to see me off and we all chatted excitedly. It was finally time to board the plane. We said our goodbyes and my adventure began.
As I sat on the plane waiting to take off, I said a little prayer, that all would go well and that in 12 hours I would be with this man I had falling so deeply in love with. My anticipation at seeing him again after 30 years was almost overwhelming.
The flight was uneventful, and I passed the hours by staring out the window looking into the night, watching the moon and the stars, and the lights of the ships way down below as we flew over the sea. Morning arrived as we flew over the White Cliffs of Dover and on into Heathrow, where I was met by my friends, who took me home for coffee to pass the 5 hour stopover.
Back to Heathrow and onto a small plane to Manchester. Due to unforeseen circumstances, John was not able to fetch me and asked me to catch the train to Doncaster where he would be waiting for me. Suddenly I felt very independent at having to do all these things that I had never done before. Catching a shuttle to the station and then the train to Doncaster. The trip was beautiful and I enjoyed every minute of it. It gave me time to just relax and enjoy the ride, and appreciate the scenery.
Next stop Doncaster station. I hauled all my luggage off the train and suddenly felt his arms around me. I turned and my arms flew up around his neck. My life’s search was over, I was home. He kissed me and and we held each other, neither wanting to let go. I knew that we were meant to be together. From that moment on we were inseparable for the next 30 wonderful, blissful days. As his friend drove us back home he held my hand, and I felt safe and secure with him.
He ran my bath and made me something to eat. I climbed into bed and as I drifted off, Cape Town and my life seemed a million miles away. I was with the man I loved and I had never been happier.
I was woken the next morning with a kiss and a cup of tea and we fell into a routine from day one. Either he brought tea or I did, whoever was awake first. We spent hours talking about our lives and what had happened since we were at school. We talked about our likes and dislikes and found so much common ground. We shared so many interests, views and dreams for our future together.
The process of discovery was amazing. The realization that this was “it” and we were finally together, was overwhelming. Even though we had exchanged hundreds of messages over the past 7 months, and so much information, we still had so much to share. Our love for each other just grew stronger and more intense by the day.
Our time together was wonderful and we enjoyed every moment of being together. Catching buses, walking in the Moore’s, exploring the countryside, having coffee in numerous little coffee shops, shopping, cooking, cleaning and loving, plenty of loving.
The weeks went by too quickly and before I knew it we were driving back to Manchester airport. My head was buzzing, I did not want to leave, but I missed my kids and family. My heart was ripped in two. I couldn’t bare the thought of leaving John behind. But as we said goodbye I knew that it would only be for a while, and we would be together again soon. The holiday was over, and our life together had just begun.
It’s been almost three months since I returned home, and we are still counting the days till we can be together again. Only this time it will be for the rest of our lives. There is nothing more satisfying than knowing that your search is over and that you can just relax and be comfortable in the knowledge that your life has come full circle and that your love will be home soon.
Meeting my man……
In my 50 years, I had never left South Africa, and this was the perfect opportunity to have an adventure. John invited me to stay with him, so I didn’t have to worry about accommodation. My decision was made and I started making plans. The Visa application went well and I kept telling myself if everything went smoothly without any hitches or problems, then we are meant to be. The 40 day count down began and my excitement mounted. Our relationship continued to grow via sms’s, facebook messages and phonecalls. I purchased my ticket, and two weeks later my Visa arrived.
“The” day finally dawned and I was off to the airport. My very first long flight. My son kept asking me, “are you nervous yet?”. The strange thing was that I never got nervous at all, as I was so sure that I was doing the right thing. My friends arrived unexpectedly at the airport to see me off and we all chatted excitedly. It was finally time to board the plane. We said our goodbyes and my adventure began.
As I sat on the plane waiting to take off, I said a little prayer, that all would go well and that in 12 hours I would be with this man I had falling so deeply in love with. My anticipation at seeing him again after 30 years was almost overwhelming.
The flight was uneventful, and I passed the hours by staring out the window looking into the night, watching the moon and the stars, and the lights of the ships way down below as we flew over the sea. Morning arrived as we flew over the White Cliffs of Dover and on into Heathrow, where I was met by my friends, who took me home for coffee to pass the 5 hour stopover.
Back to Heathrow and onto a small plane to Manchester. Due to unforeseen circumstances, John was not able to fetch me and asked me to catch the train to Doncaster where he would be waiting for me. Suddenly I felt very independent at having to do all these things that I had never done before. Catching a shuttle to the station and then the train to Doncaster. The trip was beautiful and I enjoyed every minute of it. It gave me time to just relax and enjoy the ride, and appreciate the scenery.
Next stop Doncaster station. I hauled all my luggage off the train and suddenly felt his arms around me. I turned and my arms flew up around his neck. My life’s search was over, I was home. He kissed me and and we held each other, neither wanting to let go. I knew that we were meant to be together. From that moment on we were inseparable for the next 30 wonderful, blissful days. As his friend drove us back home he held my hand, and I felt safe and secure with him.
He ran my bath and made me something to eat. I climbed into bed and as I drifted off, Cape Town and my life seemed a million miles away. I was with the man I loved and I had never been happier.
I was woken the next morning with a kiss and a cup of tea and we fell into a routine from day one. Either he brought tea or I did, whoever was awake first. We spent hours talking about our lives and what had happened since we were at school. We talked about our likes and dislikes and found so much common ground. We shared so many interests, views and dreams for our future together.
The process of discovery was amazing. The realization that this was “it” and we were finally together, was overwhelming. Even though we had exchanged hundreds of messages over the past 7 months, and so much information, we still had so much to share. Our love for each other just grew stronger and more intense by the day.
Our time together was wonderful and we enjoyed every moment of being together. Catching buses, walking in the Moore’s, exploring the countryside, having coffee in numerous little coffee shops, shopping, cooking, cleaning and loving, plenty of loving.
The weeks went by too quickly and before I knew it we were driving back to Manchester airport. My head was buzzing, I did not want to leave, but I missed my kids and family. My heart was ripped in two. I couldn’t bare the thought of leaving John behind. But as we said goodbye I knew that it would only be for a while, and we would be together again soon. The holiday was over, and our life together had just begun.
It’s been almost three months since I returned home, and we are still counting the days till we can be together again. Only this time it will be for the rest of our lives. There is nothing more satisfying than knowing that your search is over and that you can just relax and be comfortable in the knowledge that your life has come full circle and that your love will be home soon.
Meeting my man……
In my 50 years, I had never left South Africa, and this was the perfect opportunity to have an adventure. John invited me to stay with him, so I didn’t have to worry about accommodation. My decision was made and I started making plans. The Visa application went well and I kept telling myself if everything went smoothly without any hitches or problems, then we are meant to be. The 40 day count down began and my excitement mounted. Our relationship continued to grow via sms’s, facebook messages and phonecalls. I purchased my ticket, and two weeks later my Visa arrived.
“The” day finally dawned and I was off to the airport. My very first long flight. My son kept asking me, “are you nervous yet?”. The strange thing was that I never got nervous at all, as I was so sure that I was doing the right thing. My friends arrived unexpectedly at the airport to see me off and we all chatted excitedly. It was finally time to board the plane. We said our goodbyes and my adventure began.
As I sat on the plane waiting to take off, I said a little prayer, that all would go well and that in 12 hours I would be with this man I had falling so deeply in love with. My anticipation at seeing him again after 30 years was almost overwhelming.
The flight was uneventful, and I passed the hours by staring out the window looking into the night, watching the moon and the stars, and the lights of the ships way down below as we flew over the sea. Morning arrived as we flew over the White Cliffs of Dover and on into Heathrow, where I was met by my friends, who took me home for coffee to pass the 5 hour stopover.
Back to Heathrow and onto a small plane to Manchester. Due to unforeseen circumstances, John was not able to fetch me and asked me to catch the train to Doncaster where he would be waiting for me. Suddenly I felt very independent at having to do all these things that I had never done before. Catching a shuttle to the station and then the train to Doncaster. The trip was beautiful and I enjoyed every minute of it. It gave me time to just relax and enjoy the ride, and appreciate the scenery.
Next stop Doncaster station. I hauled all my luggage off the train and suddenly felt his arms around me. I turned and my arms flew up around his neck. My life’s search was over, I was home. He kissed me and and we held each other, neither wanting to let go. I knew that we were meant to be together. From that moment on we were inseparable for the next 30 wonderful, blissful days. As his friend drove us back home he held my hand, and I felt safe and secure with him.
He ran my bath and made me something to eat. I climbed into bed and as I drifted off, Cape Town and my life seemed a million miles away. I was with the man I loved and I had never been happier.
I was woken the next morning with a kiss and a cup of tea and we fell into a routine from day one. Either he brought tea or I did, whoever was awake first. We spent hours talking about our lives and what had happened since we were at school. We talked about our likes and dislikes and found so much common ground. We shared so many interests, views and dreams for our future together.
The process of discovery was amazing. The realization that this was “it” and we were finally together, was overwhelming. Even though we had exchanged hundreds of messages over the past 7 months, and so much information, we still had so much to share. Our love for each other just grew stronger and more intense by the day.
Our time together was wonderful and we enjoyed every moment of being together. Catching buses, walking in the Moore’s, exploring the countryside, having coffee in numerous little coffee shops, shopping, cooking, cleaning and loving, plenty of loving.
The weeks went by too quickly and before I knew it we were driving back to Manchester airport. My head was buzzing, I did not want to leave, but I missed my kids and family. My heart was ripped in two. I couldn’t bare the thought of leaving John behind. But as we said goodbye I knew that it would only be for a while, and we would be together again soon. The holiday was over, and our life together had just begun.
It’s been almost three months since I returned home, and we are still counting the days till we can be together again. Only this time it will be for the rest of our lives. There is nothing more satisfying than knowing that your search is over and that you can just relax and be comfortable in the knowledge that your life has come full circle and that your love will be home soon.
Meeting my man……
In my 50 years, I had never left South Africa, and this was the perfect opportunity to have an adventure. John invited me to stay with him, so I didn’t have to worry about accommodation. My decision was made and I started making plans. The Visa application went well and I kept telling myself if everything went smoothly without any hitches or problems, then we are meant to be. The 40 day count down began and my excitement mounted. Our relationship continued to grow via sms’s, facebook messages and phonecalls. I purchased my ticket, and two weeks later my Visa arrived.
“The” day finally dawned and I was off to the airport. My very first long flight. My son kept asking me, “are you nervous yet?”. The strange thing was that I never got nervous at all, as I was so sure that I was doing the right thing. My friends arrived unexpectedly at the airport to see me off and we all chatted excitedly. It was finally time to board the plane. We said our goodbyes and my adventure began.
As I sat on the plane waiting to take off, I said a little prayer, that all would go well and that in 12 hours I would be with this man I had falling so deeply in love with. My anticipation at seeing him again after 30 years was almost overwhelming.
The flight was uneventful, and I passed the hours by staring out the window looking into the night, watching the moon and the stars, and the lights of the ships way down below as we flew over the sea. Morning arrived as we flew over the White Cliffs of Dover and on into Heathrow, where I was met by my friends, who took me home for coffee to pass the 5 hour stopover.
Back to Heathrow and onto a small plane to Manchester. Due to unforeseen circumstances, John was not able to fetch me and asked me to catch the train to Doncaster where he would be waiting for me. Suddenly I felt very independent at having to do all these things that I had never done before. Catching a shuttle to the station and then the train to Doncaster. The trip was beautiful and I enjoyed every minute of it. It gave me time to just relax and enjoy the ride, and appreciate the scenery.
Next stop Doncaster station. I hauled all my luggage off the train and suddenly felt his arms around me. I turned and my arms flew up around his neck. My life’s search was over, I was home. He kissed me and and we held each other, neither wanting to let go. I knew that we were meant to be together. From that moment on we were inseparable for the next 30 wonderful, blissful days. As his friend drove us back home he held my hand, and I felt safe and secure with him.
He ran my bath and made me something to eat. I climbed into bed and as I drifted off, Cape Town and my life seemed a million miles away. I was with the man I loved and I had never been happier.
I was woken the next morning with a kiss and a cup of tea and we fell into a routine from day one. Either he brought tea or I did, whoever was awake first. We spent hours talking about our lives and what had happened since we were at school. We talked about our likes and dislikes and found so much common ground. We shared so many interests, views and dreams for our future together.
The process of discovery was amazing. The realization that this was “it” and we were finally together, was overwhelming. Even though we had exchanged hundreds of messages over the past 7 months, and so much information, we still had so much to share. Our love for each other just grew stronger and more intense by the day.
Our time together was wonderful and we enjoyed every moment of being together. Catching buses, walking in the Moore’s, exploring the countryside, having coffee in numerous little coffee shops, shopping, cooking, cleaning and loving, plenty of loving.
The weeks went by too quickly and before I knew it we were driving back to Manchester airport. My head was buzzing, I did not want to leave, but I missed my kids and family. My heart was ripped in two. I couldn’t bare the thought of leaving John behind. But as we said goodbye I knew that it would only be for a while, and we would be together again soon. The holiday was over, and our life together had just begun.
It’s been almost three months since I returned home, and we are still counting the days till we can be together again. Only this time it will be for the rest of our lives. There is nothing more satisfying than knowing that your search is over and that you can just relax and be comfortable in the knowledge that your life has come full circle and that your love will be home soon.
Meeting my man……
In my 50 years, I had never left South Africa, and this was the perfect opportunity to have an adventure. John invited me to stay with him, so I didn’t have to worry about accommodation. My decision was made and I started making plans. The Visa application went well and I kept telling myself if everything went smoothly without any hitches or problems, then we are meant to be. The 40 day count down began and my excitement mounted. Our relationship continued to grow via sms’s, facebook messages and phonecalls. I purchased my ticket, and two weeks later my Visa arrived.
“The” day finally dawned and I was off to the airport. My very first long flight. My son kept asking me, “are you nervous yet?”. The strange thing was that I never got nervous at all, as I was so sure that I was doing the right thing. My friends arrived unexpectedly at the airport to see me off and we all chatted excitedly. It was finally time to board the plane. We said our goodbyes and my adventure began.
As I sat on the plane waiting to take off, I said a little prayer, that all would go well and that in 12 hours I would be with this man I had falling so deeply in love with. My anticipation at seeing him again after 30 years was almost overwhelming.
The flight was uneventful, and I passed the hours by staring out the window looking into the night, watching the moon and the stars, and the lights of the ships way down below as we flew over the sea. Morning arrived as we flew over the White Cliffs of Dover and on into Heathrow, where I was met by my friends, who took me home for coffee to pass the 5 hour stopover.
Back to Heathrow and onto a small plane to Manchester. Due to unforeseen circumstances, John was not able to fetch me and asked me to catch the train to Doncaster where he would be waiting for me. Suddenly I felt very independent at having to do all these things that I had never done before. Catching a shuttle to the station and then the train to Doncaster. The trip was beautiful and I enjoyed every minute of it. It gave me time to just relax and enjoy the ride, and appreciate the scenery.
Next stop Doncaster station. I hauled all my luggage off the train and suddenly felt his arms around me. I turned and my arms flew up around his neck. My life’s search was over, I was home. He kissed me and and we held each other, neither wanting to let go. I knew that we were meant to be together. From that moment on we were inseparable for the next 30 wonderful, blissful days. As his friend drove us back home he held my hand, and I felt safe and secure with him.
He ran my bath and made me something to eat. I climbed into bed and as I drifted off, Cape Town and my life seemed a million miles away. I was with the man I loved and I had never been happier.
I was woken the next morning with a kiss and a cup of tea and we fell into a routine from day one. Either he brought tea or I did, whoever was awake first. We spent hours talking about our lives and what had happened since we were at school. We talked about our likes and dislikes and found so much common ground. We shared so many interests, views and dreams for our future together.
The process of discovery was amazing. The realization that this was “it” and we were finally together, was overwhelming. Even though we had exchanged hundreds of messages over the past 7 months, and so much information, we still had so much to share. Our love for each other just grew stronger and more intense by the day.
Our time together was wonderful and we enjoyed every moment of being together. Catching buses, walking in the Moore’s, exploring the countryside, having coffee in numerous little coffee shops, shopping, cooking, cleaning and loving, plenty of loving.
The weeks went by too quickly and before I knew it we were driving back to Manchester airport. My head was buzzing, I did not want to leave, but I missed my kids and family. My heart was ripped in two. I couldn’t bare the thought of leaving John behind. But as we said goodbye I knew that it would only be for a while, and we would be together again soon. The holiday was over, and our life together had just begun.
It’s been almost three months since I returned home, and we are still counting the days till we can be together again. Only this time it will be for the rest of our lives. There is nothing more satisfying than knowing that your search is over and that you can just relax and be comfortable in the knowledge that your life has come full circle and that your love will be home soon.
Meeting my man……
In my 50 years, I had never left South Africa, and this was the perfect opportunity to have an adventure. John invited me to stay with him, so I didn’t have to worry about accommodation. My decision was made and I started making plans. The Visa application went well and I kept telling myself if everything went smoothly without any hitches or problems, then we are meant to be. The 40 day count down began and my excitement mounted. Our relationship continued to grow via sms’s, facebook messages and phonecalls. I purchased my ticket, and two weeks later my Visa arrived.
“The” day finally dawned and I was off to the airport. My very first long flight. My son kept asking me, “are you nervous yet?”. The strange thing was that I never got nervous at all, as I was so sure that I was doing the right thing. My friends arrived unexpectedly at the airport to see me off and we all chatted excitedly. It was finally time to board the plane. We said our goodbyes and my adventure began.
As I sat on the plane waiting to take off, I said a little prayer, that all would go well and that in 12 hours I would be with this man I had falling so deeply in love with. My anticipation at seeing him again after 30 years was almost overwhelming.
The flight was uneventful, and I passed the hours by staring out the window looking into the night, watching the moon and the stars, and the lights of the ships way down below as we flew over the sea. Morning arrived as we flew over the White Cliffs of Dover and on into Heathrow, where I was met by my friends, who took me home for coffee to pass the 5 hour stopover.
Back to Heathrow and onto a small plane to Manchester. Due to unforeseen circumstances, John was not able to fetch me and asked me to catch the train to Doncaster where he would be waiting for me. Suddenly I felt very independent at having to do all these things that I had never done before. Catching a shuttle to the station and then the train to Doncaster. The trip was beautiful and I enjoyed every minute of it. It gave me time to just relax and enjoy the ride, and appreciate the scenery.
Next stop Doncaster station. I hauled all my luggage off the train and suddenly felt his arms around me. I turned and my arms flew up around his neck. My life’s search was over, I was home. He kissed me and and we held each other, neither wanting to let go. I knew that we were meant to be together. From that moment on we were inseparable for the next 30 wonderful, blissful days. As his friend drove us back home he held my hand, and I felt safe and secure with him.
He ran my bath and made me something to eat. I climbed into bed and as I drifted off, Cape Town and my life seemed a million miles away. I was with the man I loved and I had never been happier.
I was woken the next morning with a kiss and a cup of tea and we fell into a routine from day one. Either he brought tea or I did, whoever was awake first. We spent hours talking about our lives and what had happened since we were at school. We talked about our likes and dislikes and found so much common ground. We shared so many interests, views and dreams for our future together.
The process of discovery was amazing. The realization that this was “it” and we were finally together, was overwhelming. Even though we had exchanged hundreds of messages over the past 7 months, and so much information, we still had so much to share. Our love for each other just grew stronger and more intense by the day.
Our time together was wonderful and we enjoyed every moment of being together. Catching buses, walking in the Moore’s, exploring the countryside, having coffee in numerous little coffee shops, shopping, cooking, cleaning and loving, plenty of loving.
The weeks went by too quickly and before I knew it we were driving back to Manchester airport. My head was buzzing, I did not want to leave, but I missed my kids and family. My heart was ripped in two. I couldn’t bare the thought of leaving John behind. But as we said goodbye I knew that it would only be for a while, and we would be together again soon. The holiday was over, and our life together had just begun.
It’s been almost three months since I returned home, and we are still counting the days till we can be together again. Only this time it will be for the rest of our lives. There is nothing more satisfying than knowing that your search is over and that you can just relax and be comfortable in the knowledge that your life has come full circle and that your love will be home soon.
Meeting my man……
In my 50 years, I had never left South Africa, and this was the perfect opportunity to have an adventure. John invited me to stay with him, so I didn’t have to worry about accommodation. My decision was made and I started making plans. The Visa application went well and I kept telling myself if everything went smoothly without any hitches or problems, then we are meant to be. The 40 day count down began and my excitement mounted. Our relationship continued to grow via sms’s, facebook messages and phonecalls. I purchased my ticket, and two weeks later my Visa arrived.
“The” day finally dawned and I was off to the airport. My very first long flight. My son kept asking me, “are you nervous yet?”. The strange thing was that I never got nervous at all, as I was so sure that I was doing the right thing. My friends arrived unexpectedly at the airport to see me off and we all chatted excitedly. It was finally time to board the plane. We said our goodbyes and my adventure began.
As I sat on the plane waiting to take off, I said a little prayer, that all would go well and that in 12 hours I would be with this man I had falling so deeply in love with. My anticipation at seeing him again after 30 years was almost overwhelming.
The flight was uneventful, and I passed the hours by staring out the window looking into the night, watching the moon and the stars, and the lights of the ships way down below as we flew over the sea. Morning arrived as we flew over the White Cliffs of Dover and on into Heathrow, where I was met by my friends, who took me home for coffee to pass the 5 hour stopover.
Back to Heathrow and onto a small plane to Manchester. Due to unforeseen circumstances, John was not able to fetch me and asked me to catch the train to Doncaster where he would be waiting for me. Suddenly I felt very independent at having to do all these things that I had never done before. Catching a shuttle to the station and then the train to Doncaster. The trip was beautiful and I enjoyed every minute of it. It gave me time to just relax and enjoy the ride, and appreciate the scenery.
Next stop Doncaster station. I hauled all my luggage off the train and suddenly felt his arms around me. I turned and my arms flew up around his neck. My life’s search was over, I was home. He kissed me and and we held each other, neither wanting to let go. I knew that we were meant to be together. From that moment on we were inseparable for the next 30 wonderful, blissful days. As his friend drove us back home he held my hand, and I felt safe and secure with him.
He ran my bath and made me something to eat. I climbed into bed and as I drifted off, Cape Town and my life seemed a million miles away. I was with the man I loved and I had never been happier.
I was woken the next morning with a kiss and a cup of tea and we fell into a routine from day one. Either he brought tea or I did, whoever was awake first. We spent hours talking about our lives and what had happened since we were at school. We talked about our likes and dislikes and found so much common ground. We shared so many interests, views and dreams for our future together.
The process of discovery was amazing. The realization that this was “it” and we were finally together, was overwhelming. Even though we had exchanged hundreds of messages over the past 7 months, and so much information, we still had so much to share. Our love for each other just grew stronger and more intense by the day.
Our time together was wonderful and we enjoyed every moment of being together. Catching buses, walking in the Moore’s, exploring the countryside, having coffee in numerous little coffee shops, shopping, cooking, cleaning and loving, plenty of loving.
The weeks went by too quickly and before I knew it we were driving back to Manchester airport. My head was buzzing, I did not want to leave, but I missed my kids and family. My heart was ripped in two. I couldn’t bare the thought of leaving John behind. But as we said goodbye I knew that it would only be for a while, and we would be together again soon. The holiday was over, and our life together had just begun.
It’s been almost three months since I returned home, and we are still counting the days till we can be together again. Only this time it will be for the rest of our lives. There is nothing more satisfying than knowing that your search is over and that you can just relax and be comfortable in the knowledge that your life has come full circle and that your love will be home soon.
Meeting my man……
In my 50 years, I had never left South Africa, and this was the perfect opportunity to have an adventure. John invited me to stay with him, so I didn’t have to worry about accommodation. My decision was made and I started making plans. The Visa application went well and I kept telling myself if everything went smoothly without any hitches or problems, then we are meant to be. The 40 day count down began and my excitement mounted. Our relationship continued to grow via sms’s, facebook messages and phonecalls. I purchased my ticket, and two weeks later my Visa arrived.
“The” day finally dawned and I was off to the airport. My very first long flight. My son kept asking me, “are you nervous yet?”. The strange thing was that I never got nervous at all, as I was so sure that I was doing the right thing. My friends arrived unexpectedly at the airport to see me off and we all chatted excitedly. It was finally time to board the plane. We said our goodbyes and my adventure began.
As I sat on the plane waiting to take off, I said a little prayer, that all would go well and that in 12 hours I would be with this man I had falling so deeply in love with. My anticipation at seeing him again after 30 years was almost overwhelming.
The flight was uneventful, and I passed the hours by staring out the window looking into the night, watching the moon and the stars, and the lights of the ships way down below as we flew over the sea. Morning arrived as we flew over the White Cliffs of Dover and on into Heathrow, where I was met by my friends, who took me home for coffee to pass the 5 hour stopover.
Back to Heathrow and onto a small plane to Manchester. Due to unforeseen circumstances, John was not able to fetch me and asked me to catch the train to Doncaster where he would be waiting for me. Suddenly I felt very independent at having to do all these things that I had never done before. Catching a shuttle to the station and then the train to Doncaster. The trip was beautiful and I enjoyed every minute of it. It gave me time to just relax and enjoy the ride, and appreciate the scenery.
Next stop Doncaster station. I hauled all my luggage off the train and suddenly felt his arms around me. I turned and my arms flew up around his neck. My life’s search was over, I was home. He kissed me and and we held each other, neither wanting to let go. I knew that we were meant to be together. From that moment on we were inseparable for the next 30 wonderful, blissful days. As his friend drove us back home he held my hand, and I felt safe and secure with him.
He ran my bath and made me something to eat. I climbed into bed and as I drifted off, Cape Town and my life seemed a million miles away. I was with the man I loved and I had never been happier.
I was woken the next morning with a kiss and a cup of tea and we fell into a routine from day one. Either he brought tea or I did, whoever was awake first. We spent hours talking about our lives and what had happened since we were at school. We talked about our likes and dislikes and found so much common ground. We shared so many interests, views and dreams for our future together.
The process of discovery was amazing. The realization that this was “it” and we were finally together, was overwhelming. Even though we had exchanged hundreds of messages over the past 7 months, and so much information, we still had so much to share. Our love for each other just grew stronger and more intense by the day.
Our time together was wonderful and we enjoyed every moment of being together. Catching buses, walking in the Moore’s, exploring the countryside, having coffee in numerous little coffee shops, shopping, cooking, cleaning and loving, plenty of loving.
The weeks went by too quickly and before I knew it we were driving back to Manchester airport. My head was buzzing, I did not want to leave, but I missed my kids and family. My heart was ripped in two. I couldn’t bare the thought of leaving John behind. But as we said goodbye I knew that it would only be for a while, and we would be together again soon. The holiday was over, and our life together had just begun.
It’s been almost three months since I returned home, and we are still counting the days till we can be together again. Only this time it will be for the rest of our lives. There is nothing more satisfying than knowing that your search is over and that you can just relax and be comfortable in the knowledge that your life has come full circle and that your love will be home soon.
There are no coincidences….
Have you ever wondered why your path has crossed with someone who seems to have no significance in your life? Well, they say “everything happens for a reason”, and sometimes we are lucky enough to find out what that reason is.
In 1974 at age 14, a boy with a “Kiwi”accent arrived at our school. I was taken with his wild nature and outspoken manner and cute accent. I developed a teenage crush on him for awhile, but he did not stay at our school for long. For the next few years I ran into him at parties, disco’s, movies and other venues around town, but never really got to know him. Once or twice over the years I thought of him and wondered where in the world he had ended up.
Now, approximately 30 years later, I discovered facebook. As I sat in front of my PC trying to recall names from the past and searching them online, his name came to me and I searched for him. When his name popped up with a photo, I immediately felt the excitement of that old teenage crush. I was nervous and excited to make contact with him again. My finger hovered above the “add friend” option, as I hesitated to click on it. Finally I just thought, “Oh what the hell”, added a short message which included my maiden name and clicked. Well, now the ball was in his court, he could either accept my friend request or ignore it. The next day I couldn’t wait to get to work to see if he had responded, and there it was, friend request accepted, and he had attached a message. He remembered me….
Apparently he had only recently joined facebook a few months before. So that was the first act of fate, that I should have thought of him at that time and not before he had signed up.
We began to send the odd message to each other, only sharing the very basic’s of our lives over the past 30 years. Then suddenly he was not answering and I noticed that there were no more posts from him for about two weeks. He had told me that he had been very ill and had been receiving treatment, so I thought that he had become ill again. The panic and desperation I felt at not being able to contact him was overwhelming. I found his mother under his friends list and contacted her. But she had not heard from him either. I left a few messages for him and then one day he was back. The relief I felt when I saw a message from him was so comforting. He was blown away that somewhere out there in the world someone cared enough to worry about his absence. From that moment on, he began to share more personal details about his life. The things he told me about, where he’d been and what he’d done with his life, scared me a little, as I had lived a very conservative life. He on the other hand had lived, what he calls a “very colorful life”. Apparently he wanted to see if once I knew the truth about his life, if I would forget about him and move on, but I persevered and wanted to know more about him. He began to trust me as he realized I genuinely cared about him. Soon our messages became more intimate and much more frequent. We were falling in love. As we shared more and more about ourselves, it became evident that we were somehow connected. We shared so many likes and dislikes, opinions, and our outlook on life was mirrored, along with the way we felt about many things, and about each other.
We have been corresponding for 5 months now, are totally in love and committed to each other. I live in South Africa and he lives in the UK, and I am planning to visit him in three weeks time.
I have spent a small fortune on my phone contract since January. In the first few days once we realised that we were meant for each other, we exchanged more than 100 messages in 4 days. Later we sent approximately 500 messages or more per month, while we were learning about each other, which would be over 2000 messages and emails. I have no idea how much he has spent loading airtime on his phone and also having the internet installed at his house. We both feel that what we have found, one cannot put a price tag on. It has been a wonderful experience for us, as we both felt that our time for romance was over. I had been married three times, and he had been separated from his wife for 16 years. Within a week or two of our cyber relationship beginning he started divorce proceedings, and I ended a 6 year relationship with my partner. We suddenly felt the need to cut all ties to enable us to be together, and to begin our future with a clean slate.
I know now, without a doubt that he crossed my path as a teenager to plant the seed in my heart, and it has taken 30 years for our lives to come full circle, that we may experience this love. His life experiences, and mine, have prepared us for this relationship. As I look back now on the things I had to endure in getting to this point, I realise why I had to go through all that. It was to teach me to be understanding of all the things that he has experienced. Had I not been through so much I would have been naïve and not been accepting of the life he had lead and things he had been involved in during his younger years, and I would have walked away. The experiences I have encountered have taught me not to be judgmental, and to be more patient and tolerant of others. One never knows what hardships they have lived through.
I am now eternally grateful for every relationship and every situation that I have experienced along the way. The saying “everything happens for a reason” finally makes sense as I look back and all the answers to “why” become evident.
There are no coincidences….
Have you ever wondered why your path has crossed with someone who seems to have no significance in your life? Well, they say “everything happens for a reason”, and sometimes we are lucky enough to find out what that reason is.
In 1974 at age 14, a boy with a “Kiwi”accent arrived at our school. I was taken with his wild nature and outspoken manner and cute accent. I developed a teenage crush on him for awhile, but he did not stay at our school for long. For the next few years I ran into him at parties, disco’s, movies and other venues around town, but never really got to know him. Once or twice over the years I thought of him and wondered where in the world he had ended up.
Now, approximately 30 years later, I discovered facebook. As I sat in front of my PC trying to recall names from the past and searching them online, his name came to me and I searched for him. When his name popped up with a photo, I immediately felt the excitement of that old teenage crush. I was nervous and excited to make contact with him again. My finger hovered above the “add friend” option, as I hesitated to click on it. Finally I just thought, “Oh what the hell”, added a short message which included my maiden name and clicked. Well, now the ball was in his court, he could either accept my friend request or ignore it. The next day I couldn’t wait to get to work to see if he had responded, and there it was, friend request accepted, and he had attached a message. He remembered me….
Apparently he had only recently joined facebook a few months before. So that was the first act of fate, that I should have thought of him at that time and not before he had signed up.
We began to send the odd message to each other, only sharing the very basic’s of our lives over the past 30 years. Then suddenly he was not answering and I noticed that there were no more posts from him for about two weeks. He had told me that he had been very ill and had been receiving treatment, so I thought that he had become ill again. The panic and desperation I felt at not being able to contact him was overwhelming. I found his mother under his friends list and contacted her. But she had not heard from him either. I left a few messages for him and then one day he was back. The relief I felt when I saw a message from him was so comforting. He was blown away that somewhere out there in the world someone cared enough to worry about his absence. From that moment on, he began to share more personal details about his life. The things he told me about, where he’d been and what he’d done with his life, scared me a little, as I had lived a very conservative life. He on the other hand had lived, what he calls a “very colorful life”. Apparently he wanted to see if once I knew the truth about his life, if I would forget about him and move on, but I persevered and wanted to know more about him. He began to trust me as he realized I genuinely cared about him. Soon our messages became more intimate and much more frequent. We were falling in love. As we shared more and more about ourselves, it became evident that we were somehow connected. We shared so many likes and dislikes, opinions, and our outlook on life was mirrored, along with the way we felt about many things, and about each other.
We have been corresponding for 5 months now, are totally in love and committed to each other. I live in South Africa and he lives in the UK, and I am planning to visit him in three weeks time.
I have spent a small fortune on my phone contract since January. In the first few days once we realised that we were meant for each other, we exchanged more than 100 messages in 4 days. Later we sent approximately 500 messages or more per month, while we were learning about each other, which would be over 2000 messages and emails. I have no idea how much he has spent loading airtime on his phone and also having the internet installed at his house. We both feel that what we have found, one cannot put a price tag on. It has been a wonderful experience for us, as we both felt that our time for romance was over. I had been married three times, and he had been separated from his wife for 16 years. Within a week or two of our cyber relationship beginning he started divorce proceedings, and I ended a 6 year relationship with my partner. We suddenly felt the need to cut all ties to enable us to be together, and to begin our future with a clean slate.
I know now, without a doubt that he crossed my path as a teenager to plant the seed in my heart, and it has taken 30 years for our lives to come full circle, that we may experience this love. His life experiences, and mine, have prepared us for this relationship. As I look back now on the things I had to endure in getting to this point, I realise why I had to go through all that. It was to teach me to be understanding of all the things that he has experienced. Had I not been through so much I would have been naïve and not been accepting of the life he had lead and things he had been involved in during his younger years, and I would have walked away. The experiences I have encountered have taught me not to be judgmental, and to be more patient and tolerant of others. One never knows what hardships they have lived through.
I am now eternally grateful for every relationship and every situation that I have experienced along the way. The saying “everything happens for a reason” finally makes sense as I look back and all the answers to “why” become evident.
Meeting my man……
In my 50 years, I had never left South Africa, and this was the perfect opportunity to have an adventure. John invited me to stay with him, so I didn’t have to worry about accommodation. My decision was made and I started making plans. The Visa application went well and I kept telling myself if everything went smoothly without any hitches or problems, then we are meant to be. The 40 day count down began and my excitement mounted. Our relationship continued to grow via sms’s, facebook messages and phonecalls. I purchased my ticket, and two weeks later my Visa arrived.
“The” day finally dawned and I was off to the airport. My very first long flight. My son kept asking me, “are you nervous yet?”. The strange thing was that I never got nervous at all, as I was so sure that I was doing the right thing. My friends arrived unexpectedly at the airport to see me off and we all chatted excitedly. It was finally time to board the plane. We said our goodbyes and my adventure began.
As I sat on the plane waiting to take off, I said a little prayer, that all would go well and that in 12 hours I would be with this man I had falling so deeply in love with. My anticipation at seeing him again after 30 years was almost overwhelming.
The flight was uneventful, and I passed the hours by staring out the window looking into the night, watching the moon and the stars, and the lights of the ships way down below as we flew over the sea. Morning arrived as we flew over the White Cliffs of Dover and on into Heathrow, where I was met by my friends, who took me home for coffee to pass the 5 hour stopover.
Back to Heathrow and onto a small plane to Manchester. Due to unforeseen circumstances, John was not able to fetch me and asked me to catch the train to Doncaster where he would be waiting for me. Suddenly I felt very independent at having to do all these things that I had never done before. Catching a shuttle to the station and then the train to Doncaster. The trip was beautiful and I enjoyed every minute of it. It gave me time to just relax and enjoy the ride, and appreciate the scenery.
Next stop Doncaster station. I hauled all my luggage off the train and suddenly felt his arms around me. I turned and my arms flew up around his neck. My life’s search was over, I was home. He kissed me and and we held each other, neither wanting to let go. I knew that we were meant to be together. From that moment on we were inseparable for the next 30 wonderful, blissful days. As his friend drove us back home he held my hand, and I felt safe and secure with him.
He ran my bath and made me something to eat. I climbed into bed and as I drifted off, Cape Town and my life seemed a million miles away. I was with the man I loved and I had never been happier.
I was woken the next morning with a kiss and a cup of tea and we fell into a routine from day one. Either he brought tea or I did, whoever was awake first. We spent hours talking about our lives and what had happened since we were at school. We talked about our likes and dislikes and found so much common ground. We shared so many interests, views and dreams for our future together.
The process of discovery was amazing. The realization that this was “it” and we were finally together, was overwhelming. Even though we had exchanged hundreds of messages over the past 7 months, and so much information, we still had so much to share. Our love for each other just grew stronger and more intense by the day.
Our time together was wonderful and we enjoyed every moment of being together. Catching buses, walking in the Moore’s, exploring the countryside, having coffee in numerous little coffee shops, shopping, cooking, cleaning and loving, plenty of loving.
The weeks went by too quickly and before I knew it we were driving back to Manchester airport. My head was buzzing, I did not want to leave, but I missed my kids and family. My heart was ripped in two. I couldn’t bare the thought of leaving John behind. But as we said goodbye I knew that it would only be for a while, and we would be together again soon. The holiday was over, and our life together had just begun.
It’s been almost three months since I returned home, and we are still counting the days till we can be together again. Only this time it will be for the rest of our lives. There is nothing more satisfying than knowing that your search is over and that you can just relax and be comfortable in the knowledge that your life has come full circle and that your love will be home soon.
There are no coincidences….
Have you ever wondered why your path has crossed with someone who seems to have no significance in your life? Well, they say “everything happens for a reason”, and sometimes we are lucky enough to find out what that reason is.
In 1974 at age 14, a boy with a “Kiwi”accent arrived at our school. I was taken with his wild nature and outspoken manner and cute accent. I developed a teenage crush on him for awhile, but he did not stay at our school for long. For the next few years I ran into him at parties, disco’s, movies and other venues around town, but never really got to know him. Once or twice over the years I thought of him and wondered where in the world he had ended up.
Now, approximately 30 years later, I discovered facebook. As I sat in front of my PC trying to recall names from the past and searching them online, his name came to me and I searched for him. When his name popped up with a photo, I immediately felt the excitement of that old teenage crush. I was nervous and excited to make contact with him again. My finger hovered above the “add friend” option, as I hesitated to click on it. Finally I just thought, “Oh what the hell”, added a short message which included my maiden name and clicked. Well, now the ball was in his court, he could either accept my friend request or ignore it. The next day I couldn’t wait to get to work to see if he had responded, and there it was, friend request accepted, and he had attached a message. He remembered me….
Apparently he had only recently joined facebook a few months before. So that was the first act of fate, that I should have thought of him at that time and not before he had signed up.
We began to send the odd message to each other, only sharing the very basic’s of our lives over the past 30 years. Then suddenly he was not answering and I noticed that there were no more posts from him for about two weeks. He had told me that he had been very ill and had been receiving treatment, so I thought that he had become ill again. The panic and desperation I felt at not being able to contact him was overwhelming. I found his mother under his friends list and contacted her. But she had not heard from him either. I left a few messages for him and then one day he was back. The relief I felt when I saw a message from him was so comforting. He was blown away that somewhere out there in the world someone cared enough to worry about his absence. From that moment on, he began to share more personal details about his life. The things he told me about, where he’d been and what he’d done with his life, scared me a little, as I had lived a very conservative life. He on the other hand had lived, what he calls a “very colorful life”. Apparently he wanted to see if once I knew the truth about his life, if I would forget about him and move on, but I persevered and wanted to know more about him. He began to trust me as he realized I genuinely cared about him. Soon our messages became more intimate and much more frequent. We were falling in love. As we shared more and more about ourselves, it became evident that we were somehow connected. We shared so many likes and dislikes, opinions, and our outlook on life was mirrored, along with the way we felt about many things, and about each other.
We have been corresponding for 5 months now, are totally in love and committed to each other. I live in South Africa and he lives in the UK, and I am planning to visit him in three weeks time.
I have spent a small fortune on my phone contract since January. In the first few days once we realised that we were meant for each other, we exchanged more than 100 messages in 4 days. Later we sent approximately 500 messages or more per month, while we were learning about each other, which would be over 2000 messages and emails. I have no idea how much he has spent loading airtime on his phone and also having the internet installed at his house. We both feel that what we have found, one cannot put a price tag on. It has been a wonderful experience for us, as we both felt that our time for romance was over. I had been married three times, and he had been separated from his wife for 16 years. Within a week or two of our cyber relationship beginning he started divorce proceedings, and I ended a 6 year relationship with my partner. We suddenly felt the need to cut all ties to enable us to be together, and to begin our future with a clean slate.
I know now, without a doubt that he crossed my path as a teenager to plant the seed in my heart, and it has taken 30 years for our lives to come full circle, that we may experience this love. His life experiences, and mine, have prepared us for this relationship. As I look back now on the things I had to endure in getting to this point, I realise why I had to go through all that. It was to teach me to be understanding of all the things that he has experienced. Had I not been through so much I would have been naïve and not been accepting of the life he had lead and things he had been involved in during his younger years, and I would have walked away. The experiences I have encountered have taught me not to be judgmental, and to be more patient and tolerant of others. One never knows what hardships they have lived through.
I am now eternally grateful for every relationship and every situation that I have experienced along the way. The saying “everything happens for a reason” finally makes sense as I look back and all the answers to “why” become evident.
There are no coincidences….
Have you ever wondered why your path has crossed with someone who seems to have no significance in your life? Well, they say “everything happens for a reason”, and sometimes we are lucky enough to find out what that reason is.
In 1974 at age 14, a boy with a “Kiwi”accent arrived at our school. I was taken with his wild nature and outspoken manner and cute accent. I developed a teenage crush on him for awhile, but he did not stay at our school for long. For the next few years I ran into him at parties, disco’s, movies and other venues around town, but never really got to know him. Once or twice over the years I thought of him and wondered where in the world he had ended up.
Now, approximately 30 years later, I discovered facebook. As I sat in front of my PC trying to recall names from the past and searching them online, his name came to me and I searched for him. When his name popped up with a photo, I immediately felt the excitement of that old teenage crush. I was nervous and excited to make contact with him again. My finger hovered above the “add friend” option, as I hesitated to click on it. Finally I just thought, “Oh what the hell”, added a short message which included my maiden name and clicked. Well, now the ball was in his court, he could either accept my friend request or ignore it. The next day I couldn’t wait to get to work to see if he had responded, and there it was, friend request accepted, and he had attached a message. He remembered me….
Apparently he had only recently joined facebook a few months before. So that was the first act of fate, that I should have thought of him at that time and not before he had signed up.
We began to send the odd message to each other, only sharing the very basic’s of our lives over the past 30 years. Then suddenly he was not answering and I noticed that there were no more posts from him for about two weeks. He had told me that he had been very ill and had been receiving treatment, so I thought that he had become ill again. The panic and desperation I felt at not being able to contact him was overwhelming. I found his mother under his friends list and contacted her. But she had not heard from him either. I left a few messages for him and then one day he was back. The relief I felt when I saw a message from him was so comforting. He was blown away that somewhere out there in the world someone cared enough to worry about his absence. From that moment on, he began to share more personal details about his life. The things he told me about, where he’d been and what he’d done with his life, scared me a little, as I had lived a very conservative life. He on the other hand had lived, what he calls a “very colorful life”. Apparently he wanted to see if once I knew the truth about his life, if I would forget about him and move on, but I persevered and wanted to know more about him. He began to trust me as he realized I genuinely cared about him. Soon our messages became more intimate and much more frequent. We were falling in love. As we shared more and more about ourselves, it became evident that we were somehow connected. We shared so many likes and dislikes, opinions, and our outlook on life was mirrored, along with the way we felt about many things, and about each other.
We have been corresponding for 5 months now, are totally in love and committed to each other. I live in South Africa and he lives in the UK, and I am planning to visit him in three weeks time.
I have spent a small fortune on my phone contract since January. In the first few days once we realised that we were meant for each other, we exchanged more than 100 messages in 4 days. Later we sent approximately 500 messages or more per month, while we were learning about each other, which would be over 2000 messages and emails. I have no idea how much he has spent loading airtime on his phone and also having the internet installed at his house. We both feel that what we have found, one cannot put a price tag on. It has been a wonderful experience for us, as we both felt that our time for romance was over. I had been married three times, and he had been separated from his wife for 16 years. Within a week or two of our cyber relationship beginning he started divorce proceedings, and I ended a 6 year relationship with my partner. We suddenly felt the need to cut all ties to enable us to be together, and to begin our future with a clean slate.
I know now, without a doubt that he crossed my path as a teenager to plant the seed in my heart, and it has taken 30 years for our lives to come full circle, that we may experience this love. His life experiences, and mine, have prepared us for this relationship. As I look back now on the things I had to endure in getting to this point, I realise why I had to go through all that. It was to teach me to be understanding of all the things that he has experienced. Had I not been through so much I would have been naïve and not been accepting of the life he had lead and things he had been involved in during his younger years, and I would have walked away. The experiences I have encountered have taught me not to be judgmental, and to be more patient and tolerant of others. One never knows what hardships they have lived through.
I am now eternally grateful for every relationship and every situation that I have experienced along the way. The saying “everything happens for a reason” finally makes sense as I look back and all the answers to “why” become evident.
There are no coincidences….
Have you ever wondered why your path has crossed with someone who seems to have no significance in your life? Well, they say “everything happens for a reason”, and sometimes we are lucky enough to find out what that reason is.
In 1974 at age 14, a boy with a “Kiwi”accent arrived at our school. I was taken with his wild nature and outspoken manner and cute accent. I developed a teenage crush on him for awhile, but he did not stay at our school for long. For the next few years I ran into him at parties, disco’s, movies and other venues around town, but never really got to know him. Once or twice over the years I thought of him and wondered where in the world he had ended up.
Now, approximately 30 years later, I discovered facebook. As I sat in front of my PC trying to recall names from the past and searching them online, his name came to me and I searched for him. When his name popped up with a photo, I immediately felt the excitement of that old teenage crush. I was nervous and excited to make contact with him again. My finger hovered above the “add friend” option, as I hesitated to click on it. Finally I just thought, “Oh what the hell”, added a short message which included my maiden name and clicked. Well, now the ball was in his court, he could either accept my friend request or ignore it. The next day I couldn’t wait to get to work to see if he had responded, and there it was, friend request accepted, and he had attached a message. He remembered me….
Apparently he had only recently joined facebook a few months before. So that was the first act of fate, that I should have thought of him at that time and not before he had signed up.
We began to send the odd message to each other, only sharing the very basic’s of our lives over the past 30 years. Then suddenly he was not answering and I noticed that there were no more posts from him for about two weeks. He had told me that he had been very ill and had been receiving treatment, so I thought that he had become ill again. The panic and desperation I felt at not being able to contact him was overwhelming. I found his mother under his friends list and contacted her. But she had not heard from him either. I left a few messages for him and then one day he was back. The relief I felt when I saw a message from him was so comforting. He was blown away that somewhere out there in the world someone cared enough to worry about his absence. From that moment on, he began to share more personal details about his life. The things he told me about, where he’d been and what he’d done with his life, scared me a little, as I had lived a very conservative life. He on the other hand had lived, what he calls a “very colorful life”. Apparently he wanted to see if once I knew the truth about his life, if I would forget about him and move on, but I persevered and wanted to know more about him. He began to trust me as he realized I genuinely cared about him. Soon our messages became more intimate and much more frequent. We were falling in love. As we shared more and more about ourselves, it became evident that we were somehow connected. We shared so many likes and dislikes, opinions, and our outlook on life was mirrored, along with the way we felt about many things, and about each other.
We have been corresponding for 5 months now, are totally in love and committed to each other. I live in South Africa and he lives in the UK, and I am planning to visit him in three weeks time.
I have spent a small fortune on my phone contract since January. In the first few days once we realised that we were meant for each other, we exchanged more than 100 messages in 4 days. Later we sent approximately 500 messages or more per month, while we were learning about each other, which would be over 2000 messages and emails. I have no idea how much he has spent loading airtime on his phone and also having the internet installed at his house. We both feel that what we have found, one cannot put a price tag on. It has been a wonderful experience for us, as we both felt that our time for romance was over. I had been married three times, and he had been separated from his wife for 16 years. Within a week or two of our cyber relationship beginning he started divorce proceedings, and I ended a 6 year relationship with my partner. We suddenly felt the need to cut all ties to enable us to be together, and to begin our future with a clean slate.
I know now, without a doubt that he crossed my path as a teenager to plant the seed in my heart, and it has taken 30 years for our lives to come full circle, that we may experience this love. His life experiences, and mine, have prepared us for this relationship. As I look back now on the things I had to endure in getting to this point, I realise why I had to go through all that. It was to teach me to be understanding of all the things that he has experienced. Had I not been through so much I would have been naïve and not been accepting of the life he had lead and things he had been involved in during his younger years, and I would have walked away. The experiences I have encountered have taught me not to be judgmental, and to be more patient and tolerant of others. One never knows what hardships they have lived through.
I am now eternally grateful for every relationship and every situation that I have experienced along the way. The saying “everything happens for a reason” finally makes sense as I look back and all the answers to “why” become evident.
Who Do You Belong To? available in Ireland November 2010
I’m happy to advise that my book will be on sale in bookstores in Ireland from mid November. I’m planning a trip to Ireland in early December and am really looking forward to doing interviews and book signings there. I’ve had a great response to Who Do You Belong To? in South Africa and hope that readers in Ireland will also enjoy the next phase of my journey.
Who Do You Belong To? available in Ireland November 2010
I’m happy to advise that my book will be on sale in bookstores in Ireland from mid November. I’m planning a trip to Ireland in early December and am really looking forward to doing interviews and book signings there. I’ve had a great response to Who Do You Belong To? in South Africa and hope that readers in Ireland will also enjoy the next part of my story.
Who Do You Belong To? available in Ireland November 2010
I’m happy to advise that my book will be on sale in bookstores in Ireland from mid November. I’m planning a trip to Ireland in early December and am really looking forward to doing interviews and book signings there. I’ve had a great response to Who Do You Belong To? in South Africa and hope that readers in Ireland also enjoy it.
Book Orders
|
Who Do You Belong To? (pre-order)
Continues the story of Mary’s search for her missing husband—and of her sudden, shocking encounter with him, fourteen years after his disappearance. The unexpected success of Mary’s first book changed her life irreversibly, setting in motion a new journey of triumphant discovery.
Who Do You Belong To? takes us along with her as she travels the world, crafting an exuberantly independent life radiant with curiosity, promise, and fulfilment.
R120-00 / $16-00
|
|
Remember Me?
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
R110-00 /$15.00
|
|
Messages of Hope from 26 Inspirational Authors
We all have challenges in our lives. Sometimes we don’t see them coming. Sometimes we invite them in. Some are bigger than others. Sometimes they come one right behind the other. Sometimes they show up all at once. Sometimes we have to make a choice in how we deal with these challenges.
R130-00 / $17.00
|
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SA Distribution
Xavier Nagel
xaviernagel@mweb.co.za
021 447 1225
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
Privacy Policy:
We use PayPal to process all of our payments and do not store any financial information on our servers. All financial information you enter into the registration forms is covered by PayPal’s Privacy Policy
Press
© Independant.ie
16 July 2007
‘I THOUGHT HE WAS A GHOST’
By Liam Horan and Anne-Marie Walsh
Fourteen years after Mary’s husband vanished, he catches her eye.
FOURTEEN years, hours of crying and one book after her husband walked out on her, Mary Monaghan never expected to see him again.
But the unbelievable happened when he caught her eye on the other side of the world last Saturday.
The stunned author spotted the man who had walked out on her in South Africa in 1993 sauntering down a street in Ballyshannon, Co Donegal.
Speaking last night she said she was speechless when she saw John, now aged 44, for the first time since he told her he was going on a backpacking holiday at the age of 29.
The couple had last seen each other when they were eight years married and living in Johannesburg.
Mary, whose parents came from Ballinrobe in Mayo, and John had met in an Irish club in Cricklewood in London and had emigrated to South Africa. Then one day he announced he was taking three months out to backpack in Australia.
But he never came back.
She managed to get a divorce in 1997 after notifications were advertised in Australian newspapers.
They had not set eyes on one another until last weekend when Mary was dropping copies of her book about her desperate search for the man she loved at a Donegal bookshop.
“It was almost like seeing a ghost. I was expecting to meet John’s aunt Elizabeth Coe, with whom I am in regular touch, but as I was walking towards her on the street, I saw this man getting out of another car, and realised it was John. I couldn’t believe it. “I didn’t say a lot initially – it was like a stunned silence – but his aunt was there and she said maybe we should have something to drink in the local hotel.
“He said he meant to come back to me but things got easier where he was and he was stressed out in Johannesburg. We were in a lot of debt.
“We planned to sell up and buy a smaller house but the banks took most of the money from the older one.
“We talked for over two hours. It was weird. John told me he was ashamed of what he had done. He has been living in Australia, but his relationship with the woman he was living with is over.
“John told me he hasn’t read the book yet, but intends to. He has heard quite a lot about it. He is in Donegal holidaying with his family before returning to Australia. I’m not sure if he was as surprised as I was. He may have heard on the grapevine that I would be in town. I think he felt guilty. We agreed to stay in touch.”
For years, all she got was a birthday card from her ex-husband, who said he planned to come home.
They had spoken just once since his disappearance. There was a phone call in 1998 when he apologised for what he did and explained he was stressed and wanted to start a new life.
Mary said she thinks he was just “burnt out” but there was the added complication that he had met another woman, who had moved in with him Down Under.
John had a child with the other woman, although they later split up.
Mary said she bears no ill will towards the other woman as she does not believe she knew she existed, and still insists that her relationship with John had been good.
Her tale of how she spent years trying to locate her missing husband created a stir when it was published in South Africa last year. ‘Remember Me?’ deals with the difficulties she experienced as she realised he was not returning. Despite the couple’s amicable meeting, they have no plans for a reunion . . .
- – - – - – - – - -
LexisNexis News
© Copyright 2007 MGN Ltd. All Rights Reserved
The Mirror, 3 July 2007
Eire Edition
HUSBAND MISSING FOR 14 YEARS BACK HOME;
AUTHOR WIFE REVEALS HER TORMENT AFTER SHOCK REUNION
By Liam Horan
A WANDERING Irishman who vanished without a trace 14 years ago has had an emotional reunion with his wife.
John Monaghan told his partner Mary he was just going on a three-month trip to Australia in 1993.
But she only set eyes on him for the first time last weekend in a shock reunion in Co Donegal.
The mystery surrounding John’s disappearance prompted Mary to write a book about her quest to find him called Remember Me? which was published a few weeks ago.
She said: “In 1993, we were looking forward to buying and renovating a new house together.
“But first John felt he needed some ‘time out’ before sorting out his business issues and he booked a three-month backpacking holiday in Australia. But he never came back.”
The couple were married for seven years and were living in Johannesburg, South Africa, before he went AWOL. Since his disappearance Mary, 50, discovered John had been involved with at least two other women before he walked out on her.
The book has been selling well in Ireland and has also caused a stir in South Africa where she still lives.
Mary, who was born in England to Co Mayo parents, was delivering copies of the book to a shop in Ballyshannon last Saturday when she met John.
She explained: “I was expecting to meet John’s aunt Elizabeth with whom I am in regular touch.
“But as I was walking towards her, I saw this man getting out of another car and realised it was John.
“We talked for over two hours. It was weird. John told me he was ashamed of what he had done.
“He has been living in Australia though his relationship with the woman he was living with there is now over.
“There was no rancour or bitterness between us, no confrontation.”
At the end of the meeting they shook hands and agreed to stay in touch.
Mary said John, who is in Donegal holidaying with his family before he returns to Australia, “has heard quite a lot about” the book.
Neither are in a current relationship but Mary isn’t keen on a reunion.
She added: “We could never get together again. Too much water has passed under the bridge.”
In her book, Mary tells how she traced John to Sydney with the help of Interpol and private detectives and did speak to him briefly on the phone in 1998.
When he answered Mary said: “Remember me? This is a voice from your past.”
But the line was disconnected before they could continue their conversation.
- – - – - – - – - -
News.com.au
14 July 2007
© Queensland Newspapers
COUPLE’S FREAK REUNION
By Fiona Hudson
FOR 14 years, South African resident Mary Monaghan hunted her vanished husband around the world, aided by private detectives and even Interpol.
A chance meeting on a trip to Ireland this month has finally flushed out her missing partner John and solved the mystery – he’s been living in Sydney and Queensland.
Mrs Monaghan, 50, was delivering copies of her recently published book Remember Me?, about her efforts to find her husband, when she spotted her former partner getting out of a car.
They had an emotional, two-hour reunion in a nearby pub, assisted by several glasses of wine to overcome their shock.
Industrial paint specialist John, 44, told his wife he was on holiday from Queensland to visit relatives in Ireland.
Irish-born Mrs Monaghan, 50, had arranged to meet John’s aunt for a drink that afternoon but the meeting with her estranged husband was entirely coincidental, she said.
“It was obviously meant to happen,” she said yesterday from South Africa.
“It’s bizarre that I was in Ireland because of the book, and that was the catalyst for bringing us back together when we live on opposite sides of the planet.
“I knew one day it was going to happen, that I would meet him. In the end it was quite emotional and upsetting, I wasn’t ready for it. It was quite difficult.”
Her book tells the story of the years spent looking for her missing husband.
John disappeared from their home in Johannesburg after telling his partner he was going on a three-month backpacking trip to Australia in 1993.
When his return flight arrived home without him, she spent thousands of dollars on private investigators.
She claims they tracked him, using credit card transaction records, to a love-nest he shared with another woman in Sydney in 1998.
She rang and had a brief phone conversation and managed to say, “Remember me? This is a voice from your past” before the line went dead.
Desperate for answers, she rang back but a woman answered. She did not hear her husband’s voice again until their Ireland meeting this month.
Her husband had heard of her self-published memoir via relatives.
“He said I’d been nice to him in the book,” she said. “He’s obviously heard about it through friends and family. It wasn’t written to be vindictive or to get revenge. I tried to be positive and forgiving.”
She didn’t bother to give him a copy.
Neither are in a relationship, but Mary considers a reunion unlikely.
“Too much has happened,” she said. “We will stay in contact I hope.”
Mrs Monaghan plans to one day visit Australia. She has several visas in her passport but has never used them.
“I was always ready to hop on a plane should he be found,” she said.
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Who Do You Belong To?
My new book, Who Do You Belong To? is in the final edit and design stage and will be ready to go to print very soon. It chronicles the unexpected path my life took after the publication of Remember Me? I’m looking forward to sharing this next part of my story shortly. Launched in August 2010.
Who Do You Belong To?
My new book, Who Do You Belong To? is in the final edit and design stage and will be ready to go to print very soon. It chronicles the unexpected path my life took after the publication of Remember Me? I’m looking forward to sharing this next part of my story shortly. Launched in August 2010.
Who Do You Belong To?
Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
Who Do You Belong To?
Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
Launch Dates – Who Do You Belong To?
The launches of my new book Who Do You Belong To? take place in South Africa in August. Details as follows:
Cape Town
Thursday 5th August 17h30 Five Flies Restaurant Cape Town
Friday 6th August 17h30 Folio Books Main Road Newlands
Saturday 7th August 10h00 Wordsworth Books Willowbridge
Johannesburg
Thursday 12th August 17h30 Gingko Restaurant Parkview
Durban
Saturday 14th August 10h00 Adams Bookshop Musgrave Centre
Port Elizabeth
Thursday 19th August 17h30 Ron Belling Gallery Park Drive
Hoping to release Who Do You Belong To? in Ireland later this year
Launch Dates – Who Do You Belong To?
The launches of my new book Who Do You Belong To? take place in South Africa in August. Details as follows:
Cape Town
Thursday 5th August 17h30 Five Flies Restaurant Cape Town
Friday 6th August 17h30 Folio Books Main Road Newlands
Saturday 7th August 10h00 Wordsworth Books Willowbridge
Johannesburg
Thursday 12th August 17h30 Gingko Restaurant Parkview
Durban
Saturday 14th August 10h00 Adams Bookshop Musgrave Centre
Port Elizabeth
Thursday 19th August 17h30 Ron Belling Gallery Park Drive
Hoping to release Who Do You Belong To? in Ireland later this year
Who Do You Belong to?
Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
Who Do You Belong to?
Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
Who Do You Belong to?
Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
Where Do You Belong?
Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
Remember Me?
Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
Life Choices: Navigating Difficult Paths
Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
Book Orders
|
Who Do You Belong To? (pre-order)
Continues the story of Mary’s search for her missing husband—and of her sudden, shocking encounter with him, fourteen years after his disappearance. The unexpected success of Mary’s first book changed her life irreversibly, setting in motion a new journey of triumphant discovery.
Who Do You Belong To? takes us along with her as she travels the world, crafting an exuberantly independent life radiant with curiosity, promise, and fulfilment.
R120-00 / $16-00
|
|
Remember Me?
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
R110-00 /$15.00
|
|
Messages of Hope from 26 Inspirational Authors
We all have challenges in our lives. Sometimes we don’t see them coming. Sometimes we invite them in. Some are bigger than others. Sometimes they come one right behind the other. Sometimes they show up all at once. Sometimes we have to make a choice in how we deal with these challenges.
R130-00 / $17.00
|
Online Currency Converter
SA Distribution
Xavier Nagel
xaviernagel@mweb.co.za
083 719 8407
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
Privacy Policy:
We use PayPal to process all of our payments and do not store any financial information on our servers. All financial information you enter into the registration forms is covered by PayPal’s Privacy Policy
Book Orders
|
Who Do You Belong To? (pre-order)
Continues the story of Mary’s search for her missing husband—and of her sudden, shocking encounter with him, fourteen years after his disappearance. The unexpected success of Mary’s first book changed her life irreversibly, setting in motion a new journey of triumphant discovery.
Who Do You Belong To? takes us along with her as she travels the world, crafting an exuberantly independent life radiant with curiosity, promise, and fulfilment.
R120-00 / $16-00
|
|
Remember Me?
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
R110-00 /$15.00
|
|
Messages of Hope from 26 Inspirational Authors
We all have challenges in our lives. Sometimes we don’t see them coming. Sometimes we invite them in. Some are bigger than others. Sometimes they come one right behind the other. Sometimes they show up all at once. Sometimes we have to make a choice in how we deal with these challenges.
R130-00 / $17.00
|
Online Currency Converter
SA Distribution
Xavier Nagel
xaviernagel@mweb.co.za
083 719 8407
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
Privacy Policy:
We use PayPal to process all of our payments and do not store any financial information on our servers. All financial information you enter into the registration forms is covered by PayPal’s Privacy Policy
Life Choices: Navigating Difficult Paths
Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
About the Books
Download 1st chapter here (pdf)
Download poem here (pdf)
| Remember Me? |
|
| Suggested retail price |
R 110 / $ 15 |
| Number of pages |
154 pages (soft cover) |
| Cover |
Copy original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay – painted in 2001 |
| Publisher |
Tortoise Press |
| ISBN Number: |
978-0-620-366648-6 |
| Distribution |
Xavier Nagel Agencies |
|
|
Download 1st chapter here (pdf)
Download Poem To Mother here (pdf)
| Who Do You Belong To? |
|
| Suggested retail price |
R 120 / $ 16 |
| Number of pages |
156pp (41 photos) Soft cover 210mm x148mm |
| Cover |
Osnat |
| Publisher |
Tortoise Press |
| ISBN Number: |
978-0-620-47034-6 |
| Distribution |
Xavier Nagel Agencies |
| Availability |
August 2010 |
Life Choices: Navigating Difficult Paths
Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
Where Do You Belong?
Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
Remember Me?
Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
Life Choices: Navigating Difficult Paths
Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
Life Choices: Navigating Difficult Paths
Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
Life Choices: Navigating Difficult Paths
Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
About the Books
Download 1st chapter here (pdf)
Download poem here (pdf)
| Remember Me? |
|
| Suggested retail price |
R 110 / $ 15 |
| Number of pages |
154 pages (soft cover) |
| Cover |
Copy original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay – painted in 2001 |
| Publisher |
Tortoise Press |
| ISBN Number: |
978-0-620-366648-6 |
| Distribution |
Xavier Nagel Agencies |
|
|
Download 1st chapter here (pdf)
Download Poem To Mother here (pdf)
| Who Do You Belong To? |
|
| Suggested retail price |
R 120 / $ 16 |
| Number of pages |
156pp (41 photos) Soft cover 210mm x148mm |
| Cover |
Osnat |
| Publisher |
Tortoise Press |
| ISBN Number: |
978-0-620-47034-6 |
| Distribution |
Xavier Nagel Agencies |
| Availability |
August 2010 |
About the Books
Download 1st chapter here (pdf)
Download poem here (pdf)
| Remember Me? |
|
| Suggested retail price |
R 110 / $ 15 |
| Number of pages |
154 pages (soft cover) |
| Cover |
Copy original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay -
painted in 2001 |
| Publisher |
Tortoise Press |
| ISBN Number: |
978-0-620-366648-6 |
| Distribution |
Xavier Nagel Agencies |
|
|
Download 1st chapter here (pdf)
Download Poem To Mother here (pdf)
| Who Do You Belong To? |
|
| Suggested retail price |
R 120 / $ 16 |
| Number of pages |
156pp (41 photos) Soft cover 210mm x148mm |
| Cover |
Osnat |
| Publisher |
Tortoise Press |
| ISBN Number: |
978-0-620-47034-6 |
| Distribution |
Xavier Nagel Agencies |
| Availability |
August 2010 |
About the Books
Download 1st chapter here (pdf)
Download poem here (pdf)
| Remember Me? |
|
| Suggested retail price |
R 120-00 |
| Number of pages |
154 pages (soft cover) |
| Cover |
Copy original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay -
painted in 2001 |
| Publisher |
Tortoise Press |
| ISBN Number: |
978-0-620-366648-6 |
| Distribution |
Xavier Nagel Agencies |
|
|
Download 1st chapter here (pdf)
Download Poem To Mother here (pdf)
| Who Do You Belong To? |
|
| Suggested retail price |
R 130-00 |
| Number of pages |
156pp (41 photos) Soft cover 210mm x148mm |
| Cover |
Osnat |
| Publisher |
Tortoise Press |
| ISBN Number: |
978-0-620-47034-6 |
| Distribution |
Xavier Nagel Agencies |
| Availability |
August 2010 |
Book Orders
|
Who Do You Belong To? (pre-order)
Continues the story of Mary’s search for her missing husband—and of her sudden, shocking encounter with him, fourteen years after his disappearance. The unexpected success of Mary’s first book changed her life irreversibly, setting in motion a new journey of triumphant discovery.
Who Do You Belong To? takes us along with her as she travels the world, crafting an exuberantly independent life radiant with curiosity, promise, and fulfilment.
R130-00 / $19-00
|
|
Remember Me?
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
R120-00 /$18.00
|
|
Messages of Hope from 26 Inspirational Authors
We all have challenges in our lives. Sometimes we don’t see them coming. Sometimes we invite them in. Some are bigger than others. Sometimes they come one right behind the other. Sometimes they show up all at once. Sometimes we have to make a choice in how we deal with these challenges.
R150-00 / $22.00
|
Online Currency Converter
SA Distribution
Xavier Nagel
xaviernagel@mweb.co.za
083 719 8407
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
Privacy Policy:
We use PayPal to process all of our payments and do not store any financial information on our servers. All financial information you enter into the registration forms is covered by PayPal’s Privacy Policy
Where Do You Belong?
Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
Life Choices: Navigating Difficult Paths
Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
Remember Me?
Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
Book Orders
|
Who Do You Belong To?
Continues the story of Mary’s search for her missing husband—and of her sudden, shocking encounter with him, fourteen years after his disappearance. The unexpected success of Mary’s first book changed her life irreversibly, setting in motion a new journey of triumphant discovery.
Who Do You Belong To? takes us along with her as she travels the world, crafting an exuberantly independent life radiant with curiosity, promise, and fulfilment.
R130-00 / $19-00
|
|
Remember Me?
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
R120-00 /$18.00
|
|
Messages of Hope from 26 Inspirational Authors
We all have challenges in our lives. Sometimes we don’t see them coming. Sometimes we invite them in. Some are bigger than others. Sometimes they come one right behind the other. Sometimes they show up all at once. Sometimes we have to make a choice in how we deal with these challenges.
R150-00 / $22.00
|
Online Currency Converter
SA Distribution
Xavier Nagel
xaviernagel@mweb.co.za
083 719 8407
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
Privacy Policy:
We use PayPal to process all of our payments and do not store any financial information on our servers. All financial information you enter into the registration forms is covered by PayPal’s Privacy Policy
About the Books
Download 1st chapter here (pdf)
Download poem here (pdf)
| Remember Me? |
|
| Suggested retail price |
R 120-00 |
| Number of pages |
154 pages (soft cover) |
| Cover |
Copy original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay -
painted in 2001 |
| Publisher |
Tortoise Press |
| ISBN Number: |
9780620366 6486 |
| Distribution |
Xavier Nagel Agencies |
|
|
Download 1st chapter here (pdf)
Download Poem To Mother here (pdf)
| Who Do You Belong To? |
|
| Suggested retail price |
R 130-00 |
| Number of pages |
156pp (41 photos) Soft cover 210mm x148mm |
| Cover |
Osnat |
| Publisher |
Tortoise Press |
| ISBN Number: |
978-0-620-47034-6 |
| Distribution |
Xavier Nagel Agencies |
| Availability |
August 2010 |
About the Books
Download 1st chapter here (pdf)
Download poem here (pdf)
| Remember Me? |
|
| Suggested retail price |
R 120-00 |
| Number of pages |
154 pages (soft cover) |
| Cover |
Copy original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay -
painted in 2001 |
| Publisher |
Tortoise Press |
| ISBN Number: |
9780620366 6486 |
| Distribution |
Xavier Nagel Agencies |
|
|
Download 1st chapter here (pdf)
Download Poem To Mother here (pdf)
| Who Do You Belong To? |
|
| Suggested retail price |
R 130-00 |
| Number of pages |
156pp (41 photos) Soft cover 210mm x148mm |
| Cover |
Osnat |
| Publisher |
Tortoise Press |
| ISBN Number: |
978-0-620-47034-6 |
| Distribution |
Xavier Nagel Agencies |
| Availability |
August 2010 |
About the Books
Download 1st chapter here (pdf)
Download poem here (pdf)
| Remember Me? |
|
| Suggested retail price |
R 120-00 |
| Number of pages |
154 pages (soft cover) |
| Cover |
Copy original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay -
painted in 2001 |
| Publisher |
Tortoise Press |
| ISBN Number: |
9780620366 6486 |
| Distribution |
Xavier Nagel Agencies |
|
|
Download 1st chapter here (pdf)
Download Poem To Mother here (pdf)
| Who Do You Belong To? |
|
| Suggested retail price |
R 130-00 |
| Number of pages |
156pp (41 photos) Soft cover 210mm x148mm |
| Cover |
Osnat |
| Publisher |
Tortoise Press |
| ISBN Number: |
978-0-620-47034-6 |
| Distribution |
Xavier Nagel Agencies |
| Availability |
August 2010 |
About the Books
Download 1st chapter here (pdf)
Download poem here (pdf)
| Remember Me? |
|
| Suggested retail price |
R 120-00 |
| Number of pages |
154 pages (soft cover) |
| Cover |
Copy original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay -
painted in 2001 |
| Publisher |
Tortoise Press |
| ISBN Number: |
9780620366 6486 |
| Distribution |
Xavier Nagel Agencies |
|
|
Download 1st chapter here (pdf)
Download Poem To Mother here (pdf)
| Who Do You Belong To? |
|
| Suggested retail price |
R 130-00 |
| Number of pages |
156pp (41 photos) Soft cover 210mm x148mm |
| Cover |
Osnat |
| Publisher |
Tortoise Press |
| ISBN Number: |
978-0-620-47034-6 |
| Distribution |
Xavier Nagel Agencies |
| Availability |
August 2010 |
Poem to Mother
Poem to Mother
bookpreview_w
Book Orders
|
Who Do You Belong To?
Continues the story of Mary’s search for her missing husband—and of her sudden, shocking encounter with him, fourteen years after his disappearance. The unexpected success of Mary’s first book changed her life irreversibly, setting in motion a new journey of triumphant discovery.
Who Do You Belong To? takes us along with her as she travels the world, crafting an exuberantly independent life radiant with curiosity, promise, and fulfilment.
R130-00
|
|
Remember Me?
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
R120-00
|
|
Messages of Hope from 26 Inspirational Authors
We all have challenges in our lives. Sometimes we don’t see them coming. Sometimes we invite them in. Some are bigger than others. Sometimes they come one right behind the other. Sometimes they show up all at once. Sometimes we have to make a choice in how we deal with these challenges.
R150-00
|
Online Currency Converter
SA Distribution
Xavier Nagel
xaviernagel@mweb.co.za
083 719 8407
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
Privacy Policy:
We use PayPal to process all of our payments and do not store any financial information on our servers. All financial information you enter into the registration forms is covered by PayPal’s Privacy Policy
Book Orders
|
Who Do You Belong To?
Continues the story of Mary’s search for her missing husband—and of her sudden, shocking encounter with him, fourteen years after his disappearance. The unexpected success of Mary’s first book changed her life irreversibly, setting in motion a new journey of triumphant discovery.
Who Do You Belong To? takes us along with her as she travels the world, crafting an exuberantly independent life radiant with curiosity, promise, and fulfilment.
R130-00
|
|
Remember Me?
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
R120-00
|
|
Messages of Hope from 26 Inspirational Authors
We all have challenges in our lives. Sometimes we don’t see them coming. Sometimes we invite them in. Some are bigger than others. Sometimes they come one right behind the other. Sometimes they show up all at once. Sometimes we have to make a choice in how we deal with these challenges.
R150-00
|
Online Currency Converter
SA Distribution
Xavier Nagel
xaviernagel@mweb.co.za
083 719 8407
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
Privacy Policy:
We use PayPal to process all of our payments and do not store any financial information on our servers. All financial information you enter into the registration forms is covered by PayPal’s Privacy Policy
Remember Me?
Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
Where Do You Belong?
Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
Life Choices: Navigating Difficult Paths
Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
Book Orders
|
Who Do You Belong To?
Continues the story of Mary’s search for her missing husband—and of her sudden, shocking encounter with him, fourteen years after his disappearance. The unexpected success of Mary’s first book changed her life irreversibly, setting in motion a new journey of triumphant discovery.
Who Do You Belong To? takes us along with her as she travels the world, crafting an exuberantly independent life radiant with curiosity, promise, and fulfilment.
R130-00
|
|
Remember Me?
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
R120-00
|
|
Messages of Hope from 26 Inspirational Authors
We all have challenges in our lives. Sometimes we don’t see them coming. Sometimes we invite them in. Some are bigger than others. Sometimes they come one right behind the other. Sometimes they show up all at once. Sometimes we have to make a choice in how we deal with these challenges.
R150-00
|
Online Currency Converter
SA Distribution
Xavier Nagel
xaviernagel@mweb.co.za
083 719 8407
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
Privacy Policy:
We use PayPal to process all of our payments and do not store any financial information on our servers. All financial information you enter into the registration forms is covered by PayPal’s Privacy Policy
Book Orders
|
Who Do You Belong To?
Continues the story of Mary’s search for her missing husband—and of her sudden, shocking encounter with him, fourteen years after his disappearance. The unexpected success of Mary’s first book changed her life irreversibly, setting in motion a new journey of triumphant discovery.
Who Do You Belong To? takes us along with her as she travels the world, crafting an exuberantly independent life radiant with curiosity, promise, and fulfilment.
R130-00
|
|
Remember Me?
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
R120-00
|
|
Messages of Hope from 26 Inspirational Authors
We all have challenges in our lives. Sometimes we don’t see them coming. Sometimes we invite them in. Some are bigger than others. Sometimes they come one right behind the other. Sometimes they show up all at once. Sometimes we have to make a choice in how we deal with these challenges.
R150-00
|
Online Currency Converter
SA Distribution
Xavier Nagel
xaviernagel@mweb.co.za
083 719 8407
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
Privacy Policy:
We use PayPal to process all of our payments and do not store any financial information on our servers. All financial information you enter into the registration forms is covered by PayPal’s Privacy Policy
About the Books
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
Burdened by his requirement that she sell their home to purchase one in a rundown area and by the need to keep performing at work to meet his debts, she becomes angry, finally, that while she is struggling to exist, he continues to run up entertainment charges on his Diners Card, her only means of knowing his whereabouts. But her anger is mixed with anxiety about his safety: she believes in him and his love for her. Supported by her faith, her Irish family, loyal friends – male and female – and by colleagues, she is able slowly, painfully, to move on to a new career and a new home. Not until she has discovered the answers to her questions, however, can the person she has become settle into her new life.
This deeply moving, candidly recounted story will resonate in the lives of readers, acting as encouragement to move beyond the circumstances of their own misfortune.
Download 1st chapter here (pdf)
Download poem here (pdf)
Remember me?
Remember me?
I am your wife
Creating your home
Cooking your meals
Washing your clothes
Unfulfilled, dependent
And stifled, stifled
Remember me? I am
your wife Your
deserted wife
Waiting, longing
Weeping, hoping
Your vulnerable
wife Your needy
wife
Remember me? No
longer your wife
Creating my home
Feeding my spirit
Living my dream
Fulfilled and independent
And alive, alive
I am the woman
You never knew
Free, strong and passionate
I am the woman
You never knew
Remember me?
Where Do You Belong?
Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
Who Do You Belong To?
Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
Sku: 978-0-620-47034-6
Shipping Rate: C
Where Do I Belong?
Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
Where Do I Belong?
Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
Life Choices: Navigating Difficult Paths
Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
Remember Me?
Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
Mary
About Mary Monaghan
Mary Monaghan’s roots are in Ireland, born to parents from Ballinrobe, Co.Mayo, Ireland. She was educated at St. Mary’s Convent Cambridge and studied for a degree in languages at Westfield College, University of London.
She moved to South Africa in 1981, pursuing a career in Johannesburg before moving to Cape Town in 2000. She pursues varied interests both commercial and personal with a particular passion for making a difference in the HIV and Aids field and continues to write, learn new languages (Russian being the latest one!) and travel extensively. Her recent consulting work has taken her to Madagascar.
Mary is the author of Remember Me? (Melkbosstrand, South Africa: Tortoise Press, 2006), which she has adapted into a screenplay.
She has also been published in Writing the Self: An Anthology of New Writing from Women’s Writing Workshops (Muizenberg, South Africa: Women’s Writing Workshops, 2008);
Life Choices: Navigating Difficult Paths (Las Vegas: Turning Point International, 2010);
and The Ultimate Runner: Stories and Advice to Keep You Moving (Deerfield Beach, FL: HCI Books, 2010). |
|
Mary
About Mary Monaghan
Mary Monaghan’s roots are in Ireland, born to parents from Ballinrobe, Co.Mayo, Ireland. She was educated at St. Mary’s Convent Cambridge and studied for a degree in languages at Westfield College, University of London.
She moved to South Africa in 1981, pursuing a career in Johannesburg before moving to Cape Town in 2000. She pursues varied interests both commercial and personal with a particular passion for making a difference in the HIV and Aids field and continues to write, learn new languages (Russian being the latest one!) and travel extensively. Her recent consulting work has taken her to Madagascar. |
|
Mary
About Mary Monaghan
Mary Monaghan’s roots are in Ireland, born to parents from Ballinrobe, Co.Mayo, Ireland. She was educated at St. Mary’s Convent Cambridge and studied for a degree in languages at Westfield College, University of London.
She moved to South Africa in 1981, pursuing a career in Johannesburg before moving to Cape Town in 2000. She pursues varied interests both commercial and personal with a particular passion for making a difference in the HIV and Aids field and continues to write, learn new languages (Russian being the latest one!) and travel extensively. Her recent consulting work has taken her to Madagascar.
Mary is the author of Remember Me? (Melkbosstrand, South Africa: Tortoise Press, 2006), which she has adapted into a screenplay.
She has also been published in Writing the Self: An Anthology of New Writing from Women’s Writing Workshops (Muizenberg, South Africa: Women’s Writing Workshops, 2008);
Life Choices: Navigating Difficult Paths (Las Vegas: Turning Point International, 2010);
and The Ultimate Runner: Stories and Advice to Keep You Moving (Deerfield Beach, FL: HCI Books, 2010).
|
|
Mary
About Mary Monaghan
Mary Monaghan’s roots are in Ireland, born to parents from Ballinrobe, Co.Mayo, Ireland. She was educated at St. Mary’s Convent Cambridge and studied for a degree in languages at Westfield College, University of London.
She moved to South Africa in 1981, pursuing a career in Johannesburg before moving to Cape Town in 2000. She pursues varied interests both commercial and personal with a particular passion for making a difference in the HIV and Aids field and continues to write, learn new languages (Russian being the latest one!) and travel extensively. Her recent consulting work has taken her to Madagascar.
Mary is the author of Remember Me? (Melkbosstrand, South Africa: Tortoise Press, 2006), which she has adapted into a screenplay.
She has also been published in Writing the Self: An Anthology of New Writing from Women’s Writing Workshops (Muizenberg, South Africa: Women’s Writing Workshops, 2008);
Life Choices: Navigating Difficult Paths (Las Vegas: Turning Point International, 2010);
and The Ultimate Runner: Stories and Advice to Keep You Moving (Deerfield Beach, FL: HCI Books, 2010).
|
|
Mary
About Mary Monaghan
Mary Monaghan’s roots are in Ireland, born to parents from Ballinrobe, Co.Mayo, Ireland. She was educated at St. Mary’s Convent Cambridge and studied for a degree in languages at Westfield College, University of London.
She moved to South Africa in 1981, pursuing a career in Johannesburg before moving to Cape Town in 2000. She pursues varied interests both commercial and personal with a particular passion for making a difference in the HIV and Aids field and continues to write, learn new languages (Russian being the latest one!) and travel extensively. Her recent consulting work has taken her to Madagascar.
Mary is the author of Remember Me? (Melkbosstrand, South Africa: Tortoise Press, 2006), which she has adapted into a screenplay.
She has also been published in Writing the Self: An Anthology of New Writing from Women’s Writing Workshops (Muizenberg, South Africa: Women’s Writing Workshops, 2008);
Life Choices: Navigating Difficult Paths (Las Vegas: Turning Point International, 2010);
and The Ultimate Runner: Stories and Advice to Keep You Moving (Deerfield Beach, FL: HCI Books, 2010).
|
|
Mary
About Mary Monaghan
Mary Monaghan’s roots are in Ireland, born to parents from Ballinrobe, Co.Mayo, Ireland. She was educated at St. Mary’s Convent Cambridge and studied for a degree in languages at Westfield College, University of London.
She moved to South Africa in 1981, pursuing a career in Johannesburg before moving to Cape Town in 2000. She pursues varied interests both commercial and personal with a particular passion for making a difference in the HIV and Aids field and continues to write, learn new languages (Russian being the latest one!) and travel extensively. Her recent consulting work has taken her to Madagascar.
Mary is the author of Remember Me? (Melkbosstrand, South Africa: Tortoise Press, 2006), which she has adapted into a screenplay.
She has also been published in Writing the Self: An Anthology of New Writing from Women’s Writing Workshops (Muizenberg, South Africa: Women’s Writing Workshops, 2008);
Life Choices: Navigating Difficult Paths (Las Vegas: Turning Point International, 2010);
and The Ultimate Runner: Stories and Advice to Keep You Moving (Deerfield Beach, FL: HCI Books, 2010).
|
|
Mary
About Mary Monaghan
Mary Monaghan’s roots are in Ireland, born to parents from Ballinrobe, Co.Mayo, Ireland. She was educated at St. Mary’s Convent Cambridge and studied for a degree in languages at Westfield College, University of London.
She moved to South Africa in 1981, pursuing a career in Johannesburg before moving to Cape Town in 2000. She pursues varied interests both commercial and personal with a particular passion for making a difference in the HIV and Aids field and continues to write, learn new languages (Russian being the latest one!) and travel extensively. Her recent consulting work has taken her to Madagascar.
Mary is the author of Remember Me? (Melkbosstrand, South Africa: Tortoise Press, 2006), which she has adapted into a screenplay.
She has also been published in Writing the Self: An Anthology of New Writing from Women’s Writing Workshops (Muizenberg, South Africa: Women’s Writing Workshops, 2008);
Life Choices: Navigating Difficult Paths (Las Vegas: Turning Point International, 2010);
and The Ultimate Runner: Stories and Advice to Keep You Moving (Deerfield Beach, FL: HCI Books, 2010).
|
 |
mary_pic
Mary
About Mary Monaghan
Mary Monaghan’s roots are in Ireland, born to parents from Ballinrobe, Co.Mayo, Ireland. She was educated at St. Mary’s Convent Cambridge and studied for a degree in languages at Westfield College, University of London.
She moved to South Africa in 1981, pursuing a career in Johannesburg before moving to Cape Town in 2000. She pursues varied interests both commercial and personal with a particular passion for making a difference in the HIV and Aids field and continues to write, learn new languages (Russian being the latest one!) and travel extensively. Her recent consulting work has taken her to Madagascar.
Mary is the author of Remember Me? (Melkbosstrand, South Africa: Tortoise Press, 2006), which she has adapted into a screenplay.
She has also been published in Writing the Self: An Anthology of New Writing from Women’s Writing Workshops (Muizenberg, South Africa: Women’s Writing Workshops, 2008);
Life Choices: Navigating Difficult Paths (Las Vegas: Turning Point International, 2010);
and The Ultimate Runner: Stories and Advice to Keep You Moving (Deerfield Beach, FL: HCI Books, 2010).
|
 |
Book Orders
|
Who Do You Belong To?
Continues the story of Mary’s search for her missing husband—and of her sudden, shocking encounter with him, fourteen years after his disappearance. The unexpected success of Mary’s first book changed her life irreversibly, setting in motion a new journey of triumphant discovery.
Who Do You Belong To? takes us along with her as she travels the world, crafting an exuberantly independent life radiant with curiosity, promise, and fulfillment.
$15-00
|
|
Remember Me?
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
$15-00
|
|
Messages of Hope from 26 Inspirational Authors
We all have challenges in our lives. Sometimes we don’t see them coming. Sometimes we invite them in. Some are bigger than others. Sometimes they come one right behind the other. Sometimes they show up all at once. Sometimes we have to make a choice in how we deal with these challenges.
$19-95
|
Online Currency Converter
SA Distribution
Xavier Nagel
xaviernagel@mweb.co.za
083 719 8407
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
Privacy Policy:
We use PayPal to process all of our payments and do not store any financial information on our servers. All financial information you enter into the registration forms is covered by PayPal’s Privacy Policy
Book Orders
|
Who Do You Belong To?
Continues the story of Mary’s search for her missing husband—and of her sudden, shocking encounter with him, fourteen years after his disappearance. The unexpected success of Mary’s first book changed her life irreversibly, setting in motion a new journey of triumphant discovery.
Who Do You Belong To? takes us along with her as she travels the world, crafting an exuberantly independent life radiant with curiosity, promise, and fulfillment.
$15-00
|
|
Remember Me?
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
$15-00
|
|
Messages of Hope from 26 Inspirational Authors
We all have challenges in our lives. Sometimes we don’t see them coming. Sometimes we invite them in. Some are bigger than others. Sometimes they come one right behind the other. Sometimes they show up all at once. Sometimes we have to make a choice in how we deal with these challenges.
$19-95
|
Online Currency Converter
SA Distribution
Xavier Nagel
xaviernagel@mweb.co.za
083 719 8407
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
Privacy Policy:
We use PayPal to process all of our payments and do not store any financial information on our servers. All financial information you enter into the registration forms is covered by PayPal’s Privacy Policy
Book Orders
|
Who Do You Belong To?
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
$15-00
|
|
Remember Me?
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
$15-00
|
|
Messages of Hope from 26 Inspirational Authors
We all have challenges in our lives. Sometimes we don’t see them coming. Sometimes we invite them in. Some are bigger than others. Sometimes they come one right behind the other. Sometimes they show up all at once. Sometimes we have to make a choice in how we deal with these challenges.
$19-95
|
Online Currency Converter
SA Distribution
Xavier Nagel
xaviernagel@mweb.co.za
083 719 8407
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
Privacy Policy:
We use PayPal to process all of our payments and do not store any financial information on our servers. All financial information you enter into the registration forms is covered by PayPal’s Privacy Policy
Book Orders
|
Remember me?
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
$15-00
|
|
Remember me?
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
$15-00
|
|
Messages of Hope from 26 Inspirational Authors
We all have challenges in our lives. Sometimes we don’t see them coming. Sometimes we invite them in. Some are bigger than others. Sometimes they come one right behind the other. Sometimes they show up all at once. Sometimes we have to make a choice in how we deal with these challenges.
$19-95
|
Online Currency Converter
SA Distribution
Xavier Nagel
xaviernagel@mweb.co.za
083 719 8407
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
Privacy Policy:
We use PayPal to process all of our payments and do not store any financial information on our servers. All financial information you enter into the registration forms is covered by PayPal’s Privacy Policy
Book Orders
|
Remember me?
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
$15-00
|
|
Remember me?
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
$15-00
|
|
Messages of Hope from 26 Inspirational Authors
We all have challenges in our lives. Sometimes we don’t see them coming. Sometimes we invite them in. Some are bigger than others. Sometimes they come one right behind the other. Sometimes they show up all at once. Sometimes we have to make a choice in how we deal with these challenges.
$19-95
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Xavier Nagel
xaviernagel@mweb.co.za
083 719 8407
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
Privacy Policy:
We use PayPal to process all of our payments and do not store any financial information on our servers. All financial information you enter into the registration forms is covered by PayPal’s Privacy Policy
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Remember me?
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
$15-00
|
|
Remember me?
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
$15-00
|
|
|
|
Messages of Hope from 26 Inspirational Authors
We all have challenges in our lives. Sometimes we don’t see them coming. Sometimes we invite them in. Some are bigger than others. Sometimes they come one right behind the other. Sometimes they show up all at once. Sometimes we have to make a choice in how we deal with these challenges.
$19-95
|
Online Currency Converter
SA Distribution
Xavier Nagel
xaviernagel@mweb.co.za
083 719 8407
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
Privacy Policy:
We use PayPal to process all of our payments and do not store any financial information on our servers. All financial information you enter into the registration forms is covered by PayPal’s Privacy Policy
belongpreview
About the Books
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
Burdened by his requirement that she sell their home to purchase one in a rundown area and by the need to keep performing at work to meet his debts, she becomes angry, finally, that while she is struggling to exist, he continues to run up entertainment charges on his Diners Card, her only means of knowing his whereabouts. But her anger is mixed with anxiety about his safety: she believes in him and his love for her. Supported by her faith, her Irish family, loyal friends – male and female – and by colleagues, she is able slowly, painfully, to move on to a new career and a new home. Not until she has discovered the answers to her questions, however, can the person she has become settle into her new life.
This deeply moving, candidly recounted story will resonate in the lives of readers, acting as encouragement to move beyond the circumstances of their own misfortune.
Download 1st chapter here (pdf)
Download poem here (pdf)
Remember me?
Remember me?
I am your wife
Creating your home
Cooking your meals
Washing your clothes
Unfulfilled, dependant
And stifled, stifled
Remember me? I am
your wife Your
deserted wife
Waiting, longing
Weeping, hoping
Your vulnerable
wife Your needy
wife
Remember me? No
longer your wife
Creating my home
Feeding my spirit
Living my dream
Fulfilled and independent
And alive, alive
I am the woman
You never knew
Free, strong and passionate
I am the woman
You never knew
Remember me?
The Ultimate Runner
I have a story ‘What More Do You Need?’ included in a new book just released called The Ultimate Runner. Watch out for it in bookstores! It tells the story of my running off the beaten track in Madagascar.
The Ultimate Runner
I have a story ‘What More Do You Need?’ included in a new book just released called The Ultimate Runner. Watch out for it in bookstores!
The Ultimate Runner
I have a story ‘What More Do You Need?’ included in a new book just released called The Ultimate Runner. Watch out for
The Ultimate Runner
Screenplay update
Many readers of my book suggested that my story would make a great film so I have now adapted it into a screenplay and I am really happy with how it has turned out. Now all that remains is to find an agent/producer and then we’ll see it on the big/small screen.
Stay Tuned for updates!
Who Do You Belong To?
My new book, Who Do You Belong To? is in the final edit and design stage and will be ready to go to print very soon. It chronicles the unexpected path my life took after the publication of Remember Me? I’m looking forward to sharing this next part of my story shortly. Launching in August 2010.
Who Do You Belong To?
My new book, Who Do You Belong To? is in the final edit and design stage and will be ready to go to print very soon. It chronicles the unexpected path my life took after the publication of Remember Me? I’m looking forward to sharing this next part of my story shortly. Launch details to follow…
Who Do You Belong To?
My new book, Who Do You Belong To? is in the final edit and design stage and will be ready to go to print very soon. It chronicles the unexpected path my life took after the publication of Remember Me? I’m looking forward to sharing this next part of my story shortly. Launch details will follow soo
Who Do You Belong To?
My new book, Who Do You Belong To? is in the final edit and design stage and will be ready to go to print very soon. It chronicles the unexpected path my life took after the publication of Remember Me? I’m looking forward to sharing this next part of my story shortly.
Launch of Life Choices Las Vegas
My trip to Las Vegas for the launch of ‘Life Choices’ was amazing. I met some incredible people whose stories also featured in the book. From the cocktail party at ‘Las Vegas Rocks’ to the launch presentation at the Palace Station Casino Hotel it was a magical time. I feel so privileged to be included in such an inspirational book.
Outside the Golden Nugget Casino
Outside the Golden Nugget Casino
Launch of Life Choices Las Vegas
My trip to Las Vegas for the launch of ‘Life Choices’ was amazing. I met some incredible people whose stories also featured in the book. From the cocktail party at ‘Las Vegas Rocks’ to the launch presentation at the Palace Station Casino Hotel it was a magical time. I feel so privileged to be included in such an inspirational book.
Launch of Life Choices Las Vegas
My trip to Las Vegas for the launch of ‘Life Choices’ was amazing. I met some incredible people whose stories also featured in the book. From the cocktail party at ‘Las Vegas Rocks’ to the launch presentation at the Palace Station Casino Hotel it was a magical time. I feel so privileged to be included in such an inspirational book.
Launch of Life Choices Las Vegas
My trip to Las Vegas for the launch of ‘Life Choices’ was amazing. I met some incredible people whose stories also featured in the book. From the cocktail party at ‘Las Vegas Rocks’ to the launch presentation at the Palace Station Casino Hotel it was a magical time. I feel so privileged to be included in such an inspirational book.
Outside the Golden Nugget Casino
Launch of Life Choices Las Vegas
My trip to Las Vegas for the launch of ‘Life Choices’ was amazing. I met some incredible people whose stories also featured in the book. From the cocktail party at ‘Las Vegas Rocks’ to the launch presentation at the Palace Station Casino Hotel it was a magical time. I feel so privileged to be included in such an inspirational book.
Red Rock Canyon Las Vegas
Outside the Golden Nugget Casino
Life Choices Launch Palace Station Casino Hotel
Life Choices Book
Launch of Life Choices
My trip to Las Vegas for the launch of ‘Life Choices’ was amazing. I met some incredible people whose stories also featured in the book. From the cocktail party at ‘Las Vegas Rocks’ to the launch presentation at the palace Station Casino Hotel it was a magical time. I feel so blessed to be
Life Chioces Launch Palace station casino
Life Choices Launch Palace Station Casino – Las Vegas
Outside the Golden Nugget Casino Las Vegas
Life Chioces Launch Palace station casino
Book Orders
|
Remember me?
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
$15-00
|
|
|
|
Messages of Hope from 26 Inspirational Authors
We all have challenges in our lives. Sometimes we don’t see them coming. Sometimes we invite them in. Some are bigger than others. Sometimes they come one right behind the other. Sometimes they show up all at once. Sometimes we have to make a choice in how we deal with these challenges.
$19-95
|
Online Currency Converter
SA Distribution
Xavier Nagel
xaviernagel@mweb.co.za
083 719 8407
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
Privacy Policy:
We use PayPal to process all of our payments and do not store any financial information on our servers. All financial information you enter into the registration forms is covered by PayPal’s Privacy Policy
Remember Me?
Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
Life Choices: Navigating Difficult Paths
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Life Choices: Navigating Difficult Paths
Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
Remember Me?
Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
Remember Me?
|
SA Distribution
Xavier Nagel
xaviernagel@mweb.co.za
083 719 8407
Global Distribution: www.kennys.ie www.kalahari.net |
Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
Remember Me?
|
SA Distribution
Xavier Nagel
xaviernagel@mweb.co.za
083 719 8407 |
Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
Remember Me?
|
SA Distribution
Xavier Nagel
xaviernagel@mweb.co.za
083 719 8407 |
Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
Remember Me?
|
SA Distribution
Xavier Nagel
xaviernagel@mweb.co.za
083 719 8407
|
Book Orders
|
Remember me?
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
$15-00
|
|
|
|
Messages of Hope from 26 Inspirational Authors
We all have challenges in our lives. Sometimes we don’t see them coming. Sometimes we invite them in. Some are bigger than others. Sometimes they come one right behind the other. Sometimes they show up all at once. Sometimes we have to make a choice in how we deal with these challenges.
$19-95
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Online Currency Converter
Privacy Policy:
We use PayPal to process all of our payments and do not store any financial information on our servers. All financial information you enter into the registration forms is covered by PayPal’s Privacy Policy
Book Orders
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Remember me?
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
$15-00
|
|
|
|
Messages of Hope from 26 Inspirational Authors
We all have challenges in our lives. Sometimes we don’t see them coming. Sometimes we invite them in. Some are bigger than others. Sometimes they come one right behind the other. Sometimes they show up all at once. Sometimes we have to make a choice in how we deal with these challenges.
$19-95
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Online Currency Converter
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We use PayPal to process all of our payments and do not store any financial information on our servers. All financial information you enter into the registration forms is covered by PayPal’s Privacy Policy
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Life Choices: Navigating Difficult Paths
Life Choices: Navigating Difficult Paths
Book Orders
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Remember me?
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
$15-00
|
|
|
|
Messages of Hope from 26 Inspirational Authors
We all have challenges in our lives. Sometimes we don’t see them coming. Sometimes we invite them in. Some are bigger than others. Sometimes they come one right behind the other. Sometimes they show up all at once. Sometimes we have to make a choice in how we deal with these challenges.
$19-95
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Remember Me?
Life Choices: Navigating Difficult Paths
Life Choices: Navigating Difficult Paths
Life Choices: Navigating Difficult Paths
Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
Sku: ISBN-978-0-9825264-0-8
Shipping Rate: C
Order Life Choices: Navigating Difficult Paths
Order Life Choices: Navigating Difficult Paths
Book Orders
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Remember me?
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
$15-00
|
|
|
|
Messages of Hope from 26 Inspirational Authors
We all have challenges in our lives. Sometimes we don’t see them coming. Sometimes we invite them in. Some are bigger than others. Sometimes they come one right behind the other. Sometimes they show up all at once. Sometimes we have to make a choice in how we deal with these challenges.
$19-95
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Remember me?
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
$15-00
|
|
|
|
Messages of Hope from 26 Inspirational Authors
We all have challenges in our lives. Sometimes we don’t see them coming. Sometimes we invite them in. Some are bigger than others. Sometimes they come one right behind the other. Sometimes they show up all at once. Sometimes we have to make a choice in how we deal with these challenges.
$19-95
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Remember Me?
Remember Me?
Remember, you DO NOT need a PayPal account to complete your purchase. If you do not have a PayPal account, click the button or link that reads “Don’t have a PayPal account” to continue (once redirected to Paypal).”
Sku: ISBN-0-620-36648-6
Shipping Rate: C
Remember Me?
Life Choices: Navigating Difficult Paths
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Remember Me? at a glance
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Remember me?
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
$15-00
|
|
|
|
Messages of Hope from 26 Inspirational Authors
We all have challenges in our lives. Sometimes we don’t see them coming. Sometimes we invite them in. Some are bigger than others. Sometimes they come one right behind the other. Sometimes they show up all at once. Sometimes we have to make a choice in how we deal with these challenges.
$19-95
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Remember Me? at a glance
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Remember me?
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
$15-00
|
|
|
|
Messages of Hope from 26 Inspirational Authors
We all have challenges in our lives. Sometimes we don’t see them coming. Sometimes we invite them in. Some are bigger than others. Sometimes they come one right behind the other. Sometimes they show up all at once. Sometimes we have to make a choice in how we deal with these challenges.
$19-95
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Come With Me to South Africa
COME WITH ME TO SOUTH AFRICA
By Judi Moreo
A gorgeous 6’ 2”, blond-haired, brown-eyed photographer was actually standing in the doorway to my office, laughing and smiling, saying, “Come with me to South Africa.”
I had never been outside of America. And I had a modeling agency to run. I hadn’t taken off for a holiday in 6 years. His invitation was tempting, but I didn’t feel I could take the time for a vacation or holiday. So, I thanked him and shrugged it off. Perhaps one day I’d have time for holidays.
My secretary came into my office and asked, “Did HE just invite you to go with him to South Africa, visit his home country and meet his parents?” “Yes,” I said. “Wouldn’t he be surprised if I actually went?” Then, the idea struck me. “Buy me a ticket,” I told my secretary, “And get me the seat next to his. It will be a wonderful joke. After we show him the ticket and see what he says, we’ll cash it back in.” She bought the ticket. The next time he came into my office, I showed it to him and, sure enough, he was surprised.
“I invite everyone to come to South Africa,” he said, “but no one ever accepts. I will call my mother and have her make arrangements for you.” And out he went.
What great fun! We had called his bluff and were thoroughly enjoying our little joke. About an hour later, my secretary came in and said, “I think the joke is on us. I didn’t realize I bought you a non-refundable ticket.”
What started out as nothing more than a joke ended up becoming an ultimate vacation.
I met my South African photographer friend, Vimmi, at the airport and within an hour, we were on our way to South Africa. I couldn’t recall ever having been so excited. I must have asked him 100 questions in the first hour. He explained to me in no uncertain terms that he was going home to see his family and had no intention of entertaining a foreigner by doing touristy things and sightseeing. Once we changed planes in New York, he took a sleeping pill and went to sleep leaving me to my excitement and questions. I read the literature that my secretary had collected for me. I learned about Johannesburg, Pretoria (the capital of South Africa), Durban , Cape Town, and Sun City (a gaming resort in what is called “a homeland”). I watched movies and talked to the people who were seated around me. It was a 10-hour flight from New York to Johannesburg, so there was plenty of time to meet the other passengers and get to know them. Many of them were from South Africa and others had visited before, so they gave me pointers and sightseeing tips.
Vimmi’s mother, Marty, met us at the airport in Johannesburg and they drove me to the Landrost Hotel, downtown, where she had made a reservation for me. It was a beautiful, old, historical hotel with dark wood paneling, high ceilings, plush furnishings and Persian rugs. I felt like royalty. Once I was checked in, they left and I went to my room. I was alone. Not only was I alone, I was alone in a foreign country about which I knew nothing except what I had read in those brochures and learned from the people I had talked to on the plane. What was I to do?
Early the next morning, I went down to the lobby and consulted the concierge who told me a tour that day was not possible as you had to make a reservation on the previous day. But, he said he would arrange tours for me for the next three days. Today, he recommended, I should put my money in my boot and my camera in a paper bag and take a walk around downtown. The idea of the paper bag was not to look like a tourist. It wasn’t long until I figured out that my disguise probably wasn’t working as my flaming red hair and brightly colored attire were really out of place in the business district of Johannesburg. Everyone I passed wore grey, black, or tweed business suits. I noticed one man in particular as he was dressed in black and white; everything was stark, beautiful, tailored, and expensive. He was more striking than Tom Selleck at his peak of popularity; he smiled as he passed me. I was lingering and looking in store windows, noticing the architecture, going in and out of stores, looking at tourist treasures and didn’t think too much about it when I passed him again a while later. Once again, he smiled and nodded.
As I stopped for the light before crossing the street at the corner of Coetze and Kline, I happened to look up and see a small outdoor café on the second floor of a building across the street. The cafe was located on an outdoor terrace with many colored umbrellas shading the tables from the sun. I was thinking how beautiful it was when the Tom Selleck look-alike walked up behind me and said something that I didn’t understand. So I said to him, “I’m sorry. I only speak English.”
“I was speaking English,” he replied in a heavy accent.
“What did you say?”
“I said that I’ve been running up and down this street for a half hour now trying to find out if anyone knew you so they could introduce me, but no one did, so I figured I’d better introduce myself before you get away. I’m Jeff Hoffman.”
“Well, nice to meet you Mr. Hoffman.”
“Would you like to have a coffee?” he asked indicating we should go to that charming café that I had been admiring. I saw no harm in sitting in an outdoor café, having coffee with the most handsome man I had seen in many years, so I agreed to go for “a coffee.”
Mr. Hoffman turned out to be divorced, a few years older than me, a successful businessman, and he was very interesting. He offered to show me around Johannesburg, but I explained that I had tours booked for the next few days. He then suggested that he drive me back to my hotel. I said that if he’d like to walk me back and point out the sites of downtown I would be happy to have him accompany me. So we walked, talked, and arrived at the hotel a couple of hours later. He invited me to dinner and I agreed as long as it was in the dining room at the hotel. After all, I was in a foreign country and didn’t know him at all. After dinner, he said “Good night” and that he would call.
The next day, I took my first tour. I had fun talking to people that I probably never would have talked with had I not been alone. I met people from England, Australia, and Asia. We saw the city, watched a performance of African dancers, toured a gold mine and even panned for gold. As the bus pulled up to let me off at my hotel, I saw Jeff Hoffman standing on the curb.
“Hi,” I said. “What are you doing here?”
“I’ve come to make sure you get a good dinner,” he said. Once again, we had a fabulous meal and enjoyed talking with each other about our different cultures and our lives. He explained to me that he was from Rhodesia and when the communists took over his country, he had moved to South Africa with his family. I was fascinated with his life and he was happy to share his experiences with me.
Each evening, as I returned from my daily tour, he was standing at the bus stop waiting to take me to dinner. Then I went on a three day tour to the Kruger National park, where I photographed animals in the wild. Everyone on the tour slept in round huts with thatched roofs called rondovals. In the Kruger Park, all eight of us who were on the tour ate our meals together and had cocktails called “sundowners” in the bush as we watched the sun go down. We even had dinner in the bush…a fabulous dinner served on folding tables with white table cloths, china, and even candles. Later we observed the night creatures as they came out of their daily hiding. What a wonderful adventure I was having.
Sure enough, when the tour bus pulled up to return me to the Landrost, there he was again. He said he figured that by now, I would need some clean clothes. He had come to take me to dinner and pick up my dirty laundry. He said that I should not pay the high hotel prices for having my laundry done, but give it to him and he would ask his maid to do it for me. Then, when we were together on Friday evening, he suggested that on Saturday he would take me to the Indian market. Surely, I could trust him enough by now to get in his car. After all, he had returned my clothing!
So Saturday, we went to the Indian market, shopped, ate exotic Indian foods, laughed, walked, and shopped some more. He invited me to his home for dinner.
On Sunday morning, Vimmi called wondering where I had been. They hadn’t heard from me all week and were beginning to worry. He said he was also feeling guilty that he had dropped me downtown and left me on my own to fend for myself. I told him I was having a wonderful time, but he insisted that he and his mother were going to Sun City, the gambling mecca in Bophutaswana, to see an entertainer by the name of Julio Iglesias. Julio was not yet known in the United States, so I had never heard of him, but I felt it would be fun to travel and see a bit more of the country. I packed up my bags and went off with Vim and Marty to see Julio’s show.
Marty had forgotten to fill up the gas tank in the car which caused us to run out of gas half way to our destination. So I called Jeff and he brought us some “petrol” for the car. Marty invited him to join us on our trip but he said he didn’t want to impose; after all, he had a business to run.
We were late arriving in Sun City and had missed most of the show. We made our way into the showroom in our traveling clothes, just in time to see Julio sing his last song. Marty was very upset. The tickets had cost her a lot of money and she had really wanted to see Julio’s show. Not knowing who he was and being from Las Vegas, I said I was sure that we’d be able to go backstage and meet him. So we marched up to Stage Door 4 where a group of ladies were screaming and jumping up and down. I walked right to the front of the crowd, with Marty in tow, presented Las Vegas modeling agency business card to the security guard, and said, “Please tell Julio that I’m here.” Before long the security guard came back with a gentleman who asked us to follow him.
Back stage, reporters from around the world waited to interview Julio, as waiters in black tails and white gloves served champagne and hors d’oeuvres. Needless to say, we were a bit underdressed in our traveling jeans and t-shirts. I even had a chocolate drip on the front on my shirt – the result of having eaten a candy bar in the car after it had melted in the sun. Julio entered the room with my card in his hand and said, “Judi, how nice of you to come.”
“This is my friend, Marty,” I said, “She so wanted to see your show but we ran out of gasoline and were late and missed all but the last song. Please will you autograph her program?”
He not only autographed the program, he took Marty’s face in his hands, kissed her on the cheeks, and sang her a song. She was blown away! He then greeted the press, thanked everyone for coming and when we finished our drinks, we said our goodbyes. Marty and I were like teenage girls as we went outside and sat on the patio, giggling, not believing that we had managed to get in backstage and that Julio actually sang to her and kissed her cheeks. She swore she would never wash her face again.
The following morning, we went out to sit by the pool and Julio was already there. He called to us, “Judi…Marty…come and say hello.” We were ecstatic. We spent the day swimming, parasailing, and waterskiing. We ran into some friends from Las Vegas who were now dancers in the production show at the Sun City Hotel. It was such a glorious day; it was incredibly beautiful there and we had such a wonderful time.
When I got back to my room, there was a message to call Jeff so I did. He asked if upon my return to Johannesburg, he could take me to out to a small town about 50 km outside of the city to meet his father, sister, and her family.
That, too, turned out to be a wonderful outing. His family members were all so nice and asked many questions about America and my life there. They served a wonderful meal and told me about their lives.
Vimmi then decided I should go to Cape Town to the beach for a few days with him and Marty. It was the most beautiful place I had ever seen. Vim and I laid on the beach in the sun and watched gorgeous people walk by; everyone was friendly and they all smiled at us. I was sure they were smiling because they somehow knew I was from America. Vimmi swore they were smiling at him. We enjoyed granadilla popsicles at the beach, ate out at the Greek restaurant on the corner down from Marty’s apartment, and drove around the Cape giving real baboons rides on the hood of the car around the downtown area. I was fascinated by how the baboons would wait on the side of the road for cars going out to the beach, jump on the car and ride one way; later, they’d jump on a car to ride back to the edge of the city. Imagine….hitchhiking baboons!
Jeff called every night and when we arrived back in Johannesburg once again, he was waiting for me. I only had two days left before I was to return home. We spent almost every waking second together…sightseeing, shopping, we even attended his son’s cricket game.
When the day came for me to return home, Jeff drove me to the airport to say goodbye. We stopped at a restaurant near the airport to have lunch. As we finished lunch, this wonderful, stylish, kind man with dark hair and dark eyes pulled out a small box and gave it to me. I opened it and discovered a beautiful, handmade gold ring set with a champagne diamond. Jeff smiled at me and said, “Come back to South Africa and be my wife.”
Editor’s Note: Jeff Hoffman died two months before they were to be married. Judi moved to South Africa anyway and remained there for 8 years.
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Remember Me? at a glance
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Remember me?
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
$15-00
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Messages of Hope from 26 Inspirational Authors
We all have challenges in our lives. Sometimes we don’t see them coming. Sometimes we invite them in. Some are bigger than others. Sometimes they come one right behind the other. Sometimes they show up all at once. Sometimes we have to make a choice in how we deal with these challenges.
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Remember Me? at a glance
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Remember me?
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
$15-00
|
|
Messages of Hope from 26 Inspirational Authors
We all have challenges in our lives. Sometimes we don’t see them coming. Sometimes we invite them in. Some are bigger than others. Sometimes they come one right behind the other. Sometimes they show up all at once. Sometimes we have to make a choice in how we deal with these challenges.
$19-95
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Remember Me? at a glance
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Remember me?
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
$15-00
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Messages of Hope from 26 Inspirational Authors
We all have challenges in our lives. Sometimes we don’t see them coming. Sometimes we invite them in. Some are bigger than others. Sometimes they come one right behind the other. Sometimes they show up all at once. Sometimes we have to make a choice in how we deal with these challenges.
$19-95
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Remember Me? at a glance
|
Remember me?
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
$15-00
Distribution South Africa: Xavier Nagel
Tel: 083 719 8407
xaviernagel@mweb.co.za
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
|
|
Messages of Hope from 26 Inspirational Authors
We all have challenges in our lives. Sometimes we don’t see them coming. Sometimes we invite them in. Some are bigger than others. Sometimes they come one right behind the other. Sometimes they show up all at once. Sometimes we have to make a choice in how we deal with these challenges.
$19-95
|
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Remember Me? at a glance
Order Direct
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Suggested retail price : $15-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Xavier Nagel
Tel: 083 719 8407
xaviernagel@mweb.co.za
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
Order Direct
Please indicate the amount of copies and click “Add to Cart”
Online Currency Converter
Suggested retail price : $15-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Xavier Nagel
Tel: 083 719 8407
xaviernagel@mweb.co.za
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
Order Direct
Please indicate the amount of copies and click “Add to Cart”
Online Currency Converter
Suggested retail price : $15-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Xavier Nagel
Tel: 083 719 8407
xaviernagel@mweb.co.za
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
Order Direct
Please indicate the amount of copies and click “Add to Cart”
Online Currency Converter
Suggested retail price : $15-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Xavier Nagel
Tel: 083 719 8407
xaviernagel@mweb.co.za
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
Order Direct
Please indicate the amount of copies and click “Add to Cart”
Online Currency Converter
Suggested retail price : $15-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Xavier Nagel
Tel: 083 719 8407
xaviernagel@mweb.co.za
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
Order Direct
Please indicate the amount of copies and click “Add to Cart”
Online Currency Converter
Suggested retail price : $15-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Xavier Nagel
Tel: 083 719 8407
xaviernagel@mweb.co.za
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
Order Direct
Please indicate the amount of copies and click “Add to Cart”
Online Currency Converter
Suggested retail price : $15-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Xavier Nagel
Tel: 083 719 8407
xaviernagel@mweb.co.za
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
Order Direct
Please indicate the amount of copies and click “Add to Cart”
Online Currency Converter
Suggested retail price : $15-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Xavier Nagel
Tel: 083 719 8407
xaviernagel@mweb.co.za
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
Order Direct
Please indicate the amount of copies and click “Add to Cart”
Online Currency Converter
Suggested retail price : $15-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Xavier Nagel
Tel: 083 719 8407
xaviernagel@mweb.co.za
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
Order Direct
Please indicate the amount of copies and click “Add to Cart”
Online Currency Converter
Suggested retail price : $15-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Xavier Nagel
Tel: 083 719 8407
xaviernagel@mweb.co.za
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
Order Direct
Please indicate the amount of copies and click “Add to Cart”
Online Currency Converter
Suggested retail price : $15-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Xavier Nagel
Tel: 083 719 8407
xaviernagel@mweb.co.za
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
Order Direct
Please indicate the amount of copies and click “Add to Cart”
Online Currency Converter
Suggested retail price : $15-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Xavier Nagel
Tel: 083 719 8407
xaviernagel@mweb.co.za
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
Order Direct
Please indicate the amount of copies and click “Add to Cart”
Online Currency Converter
Suggested retail price : $15-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Xavier Nagel
Tel: 083 719 8407
xaviernagel@mweb.co.za
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
| Suggested retail price : $12-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Stephan Phillips (Pty) Ltd.
Tel: 021 448 9839
info@stephanphillips.com
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net |
|
Order Direct
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Coming soon – Life Choices
My story will be featured in an upcoming book, Life Choices - Navigating Difficult Paths, an empowering collection of stories reminding us that we all have choices. These stories prove that success belongs to everyone, no matter where they come from or what has happened to them.
Due for release in Las Vegas in January 2010 and it will then be available for purchase through my website.
Coming soon – Life Choices
My story will be featured in an upcoming book, Life Choices - Navigating Difficult Paths, an empowering collection of stories reminding us that we all have choices. These stories prove that success belongs to everyone, no matter where they come from or what has happened to them.
Due for release in Las Vegas in January 2010 and it will then be available for purchase through my website.
Coming soon – Life Choices
My story will be featured in an upcoming book, Life Choices - Navigating Difficult Paths, an empowering collection of stories reminding us that we all have choices.These stories prove that success belongs to everyone, no matter where they come from or what has happened to them.
Due for release in Las Vegas in January 2010 and it will then be available for purchase through my website.
Coming soon – Life Choices
My story will be featured in an upcoming book, Life Choices - Navigating Difficult Paths, an empowering collection of stories reminding us that we all have choices.These stories prove that success belongs to everyone, no matter where they come from or what has happened to them.
Due for release in Las Vegas in January 2010 and it will then be available for purchase through my website.
Coming soon – Life Choices
My story will be featured in an upcoming book, Life Choices - Navigating Difficult Paths, an empowering collection of stories reminding us that we all have choices. the stories prove that success belongs to everyone, no matter where they come from or what has happened to them.
It is due for release in Las Vegas in January 2010 and will be available for purchase through my website.
Coming soon – Life Choices
My story will be featured in an upcoming book , Life Choices - Navigating Difficult Paths. It is a compilation of Messages of Hope from 26 inspirational authors due for release in LasVegas in January 2010 and will be available for purchase through my website.
life-choices-book-cover3
life-choices-book-cover2
Coming soon – Life Choices
Life Choices - Coming Soon
My story will be featured in an upcoming book , Life Choices - Navigating Difficult Paths. It is a compilation of Messages of Hope from 26 inspirational authors due for release in LasVegas in January 2010 and will be available for purchase through my website.
life-choices-book-cover1
life-choices-book-cover
Coming soon – Life Choices
My story will be featured in an upcoming book , Life Choices - Navigating Difficult Paths. It is a compilation of Messages of Hope from 26 inspirational authors due for release in LasVegas in January 2010 and will be available for purchase through my website.
About the Book
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
Burdened by his requirement that she sell their home to purchase one in a rundown area and by the need to keep performing at work to meet his debts, she becomes angry, finally, that while she is struggling to exist, he continues to run up entertainment charges on his Diners Card, her only means of knowing his whereabouts. But her anger is mixed with anxiety about his safety: she believes in him and his love for her. Supported by her faith, her Irish family, loyal friends – male and female – and by colleagues, she is able slowly, painfully, to move on to a new career and a new home. Not until she has discovered the answers to her questions, however, can the person she has become settle into her new life.
This deeply moving, candidly recounted story will resonate in the lives of readers, acting as encouragement to move beyond the circumstances of their own misfortune.
Download 1st chapter here (pdf)
Download poem here (pdf)
Remember me?
Remember me?
I am your wife
Creating your home
Cooking your meals
Washing your clothes
Unfulfilled, dependant
And stifled, stifled
Remember me? I am
your wife Your
deserted wife
Waiting, longing
Weeping, hoping
Your vulnerable
wife Your needy
wife
Remember me? No
longer your wife
Creating my home
Feeding my spirit
Living my dream
Fulfilled and independent
And alive, alive
I am the woman
You never knew
Free, strong and passionate
I am the woman
You never knew
Remember me?
Live Interviews
Download live interviews with Mary
• Kaye Adams: BBC Radio Scotland (11.4mb) (m4a)
• Tommy Marren: Midwest Radio
part 1 (904 kb) | part 2 (738 kb) (mp3) | part 3 (338 kb)
• Gerry Ryan: RTE Radio
part 1 (1.58 MB) | part 2 (353 kb) (mp3)
• Stephen Nolan: BBC Radio 5
part 1 (832 kb) | part 2 (1.47 MB) (mp3)
• The Power Within: SABC TV
part 1 (2 MB) | part 2 (2.62 MB)
• Morning Live: SABC TV
part 1 (1.62 MB) | part 2 (1.9 MB) (wmv)
• Kate Turkington: Radio 702 (2.5 MB) (mp3)
About the Book
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
Burdened by his requirement that she sell their home to purchase one in a rundown area and by the need to keep performing at work to meet his debts, she becomes angry, finally, that while she is struggling to exist, he continues to run up entertainment charges on his Diners Card, her only means of knowing his whereabouts. But her anger is mixed with anxiety about his safety: she believes in him and his love for her. Supported by her faith, her Irish family, loyal friends – male and female – and by colleagues, she is able slowly, painfully, to move on to a new career and a new home. Not until she has discovered the answers to her questions, however, can the person she has become settle into her new life.
This deeply moving, candidly recounted story will resonate in the lives of readers, acting as encouragement to move beyond the circumstances of their own misfortune.
Download 1st chapter here (pdf)
Download poem here (pdf)
Remember me?
Remember me?
I am your wife
Creating your home
Cooking your meals
Washing your clothes
Unfulfilled, dependant
And stifled, stifled
Remember me? I am
your wife Your
deserted wife
Waiting, longing
Weeping, hoping
Your vulnerable
wife Your needy
wife
Remember me? No
longer your wife
Creating my home
Feeding my spirit
Living my dream
Fulfilled and independent
And alive, alive
I am the woman
You never knew
Free, strong and passionate
I am the woman
You never knew
Remember me?
Mary
About Mary Monaghan
Mary Monaghan’s roots are in Ireland, born to parents from Ballinrobe, Co.Mayo, Ireland. She was educated at St. Mary’s Convent Cambridge and studied for a degree in languages at Westfield College, University of London.
She moved to South Africa in 1981, pursuing a career in Johannesburg before moving to Cape Town in 2000. She pursues varied interests both commercial and personal with a particular passion for making a difference in the HIV and Aids field and continues to write, learn new languages (Russian being the latest one!) and travel extensively. Her recent consulting work has taken her to Madagascar. |
|
Downloads
Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
| Suggested retail price : $12-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Stephan Phillips (Pty) Ltd.
Tel: 021 448 9839
info@stephanphillips.com
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net |
 |
Order Direct
Please indicate the amount of copies and click “Add to Cart”
Online Currency Converter
Discovery
I’ve been logging on from time to time with the real intention of writing something, but every time words fail me.
It is only now, having covered some personal distance that perhaps today, I’ll find the words to put together my ‘tale’ of personal discovery. I’ve been married for 7195 days and for about 6935 days, I’ve always wondered what if? Married too young, pregnant immediately and found myself ‘truly’ stuck in this relationship… Or so I thought. Only recently, being presented with a good reason and opportunity to free myself – low and behold, I could not do it. Naturally, came up with a 1001 reasons why I could not cut my losses and move on. Kids, money, parents etc. After some considerable personal struggle and plenty of self talk (professional help included ha-ha), I came to the realization that I’ve been fooling myself for too long.
Here I was with enough ammunition to call everything quits. Everyone will understand and be supportive. And yet … Finally, I get it. I love him. I really do. I don’t want to spend endless evenings wondering where he is, what he’s doing, who he’s with… I don’t want that life.
He finally gets me (after 19 years and 8 months), he gets me. He knows who I am and what I need. And yet … here I was always thinking I wanted something else, someone different and never ‘happy’. What a lie….!
I’m married to a quiet & gentle man. He’s got so many good qualities that I’ve overlooked for too long. He is an amazing father and a good loving son to his parents. Most of all – a supportive husband that rarely gives his very ‘demanding’ wife grief. A good man, that’s been neglected for a long time. OK, from time to time, needs to show that he’s the man of the house, but overall allows me to do my own thing, give me the freedom to ’succeed’ & grow and understands when I need to break out.
I’ve neglected this marriage and if ‘real’ happiness was missing, I’ve come to realize that I’m the driver in this. In my search for ‘realness’, romance, happiness and ‘whatever’, I’ve very nearly lost my true love. My first love. My only love.
Nice thing though – I’ve got a second chance to get this right. I’m taking it.
Thank you Mary – for being there when I needed it. Me talking, you listening – was part of my discovery.
Discovery
I’ve been logging on from time to time with the real intention of writing something, but every time words fail me.
It is only now, having covered some personal distance that perhaps today, I’ll find the words to put together my ‘tale’ of personal discovery. I’ve been married for 7195 days and for about 6935 days, I’ve always wondered what if? Married too young, pregnant immediately and found myself ‘truly’ stuck in this relationship… Or so I thought. Only recently, being presented with a good reason and opportunity to free myself – low and behold, I could not do it. Naturally, came up with a 1001 reasons why I could not cut my losses and move on. Kids, money, parents etc. After some considerable personal struggle and plenty of self talk (professional help included ha-ha), I came to the realization that I’ve been fooling myself for too long.
Here I was with enough ammunition to call everything quits. Everyone will understand and be supportive. And yet … Finally, I get it. I love him. I really do. I don’t want to spend endless evenings wondering where he is, what he’s doing, who he’s with… I don’t want that life.
He finally gets me (after 19 years and 8 months), he gets me. He knows who I am and what I need. And yet … here I was always thinking I wanted something else, someone different and never ‘happy’. What a lie….!
I’m married to a quiet & gentle man. He’s got so many good qualities that I’ve overlooked for too long. He is an amazing father and a good loving son to his parents. Most of all – a supportive husband that rarely gives his very ‘demanding’ wife grief. A good man, that’s been neglected for a long time. OK, from time to time, needs to show that he’s the man of the house, but overall allows me to do my own thing, give me the freedom to ’succeed’ & grow and understands when I need to break out.
I’ve neglected this marriage and if ‘real’ happiness was missing, I’ve come to realize that I’m the driver in this. In my search for ‘realness’, romance, happiness and ‘whatever’, I’ve very nearly lost my true love. My first love. My only love.
Nice thing though – I’ve got a second chance to get this right. I’m taking it.
Thank you Mary – for being there when I needed it. Me talking, you listening – was part of my discovery.
Discovery
I’ve been logging on from time to time with the real intention of writing something, but every time words fail me.
It is only now, having covered some personal distance that perhaps today, I’ll find the words to put together my ‘tale’ of personal discovery. I’ve been married for 7195 days and for about 6935 days, I’ve always wondered what if? Married too young, pregnant immediately and found myself ‘truly’ stuck in this relationship… Or so I thought. Only recently, being presented with a good reason and opportunity to free myself – low and behold, I could not do it. Naturally, came up with a 1001 reasons why I could not cut my losses and move on. Kids, money, parents etc. After some considerable personal struggle and plenty of self talk (professional help included ha-ha), I came to the realization that I’ve been fooling myself for too long.
Here I was with enough ammunition to call everything quits. Everyone will understand and be supportive. And yet … Finally, I get it. I love him. I really do. I don’t want to spend endless evenings wondering where he is, what he’s doing, who he’s with… I don’t want that life.
He finally gets me (after 19 years and 8 months), he gets me. He knows who I am and what I need. And yet … here I was always thinking I wanted something else, someone different and never ‘happy’. What a lie….!
I’m married to a quiet & gentle man. He’s got so many good qualities that I’ve overlooked for too long. He is an amazing father and a good loving son to his parents. Most of all – a supportive husband that rarely gives his very ‘demanding’ wife grief. A good man, that’s been neglected for a long time. OK, from time to time, needs to show that he’s the man of the house, but overall allows me to do my own thing, give me the freedom to ’succeed’ & grow and understands when I need to break out.
I’ve neglected this marriage and if ‘real’ happiness was missing, I’ve come to realize that I’m the driver in this. In my search for ‘realness’, romance, happiness and ‘whatever’, I’ve very nearly lost my true love. My first love. My only love.
Nice thing though – I’ve got a second chance to get this right. I’m taking it.
Thank you Mary – for being there when I needed it. Me talking, you listening – was part of my discovery.
Discovery
I’ve been logging on from time to time with the real intention of writing something, but every time words fail me.
It is only now, having covered some personal distance that perhaps today, I’ll find the words to put together my ‘tale’ of personal discovery. I’ve been married for 7195 days and for about 6935 days, I’ve always wondered what if? Married too young, pregnant immediately and found myself ‘truly’ stuck in this relationship… Or so I thought. Only recently, being presented with a good reason and opportunity to free myself – low and behold, I could not do it. Naturally, came up with a 1001 reasons why I could not cut my losses and move on. Kids, money, parents etc. After some considerable personal struggle and plenty of self talk (professional help included ha-ha), I came to the realization that I’ve been fooling myself for too long.
Here I was with enough ammunition to call everything quits. Everyone will understand and be supportive. And yet … Finally, I get it. I love him. I really do. I don’t want to spend endless evenings wondering where he is, what he’s doing, who he’s with… I don’t want that life.
He finally gets me (after 19 years and 8 months), he gets me. He knows who I am and what I need. And yet … here I was always thinking I wanted something else, someone different and never ‘happy’. What a lie….!
I’m married to a quiet & gentle man. He’s got so many good qualities that I’ve overlooked for too long. He is an amazing father and a good loving son to his parents. Most of all – a supportive husband that rarely gives his very ‘demanding’ wife grief. A good man, that’s been neglected for a long time. OK, from time to time, needs to show that he’s the man of the house, but overall allows me to do my own thing, give me the freedom to ’succeed’ & grow and understands when I need to break out.
I’ve neglected this marriage and if ‘real’ happiness was missing, I’ve come to realize that I’m the driver in this. In my search for ‘realness’, romance, happiness and ‘whatever’, I’ve very nearly lost my true love. My first love. My only love.
Nice thing though – I’ve got a second chance to get this right. I’m taking it.
Thank you Mary – for being there when I needed it. Me talking, you listening – was part of my discovery.
Come With Me to South Africa
COME WITH ME TO SOUTH AFRICA
By Judi Moreo
A gorgeous 6’ 2”, blond-haired, brown-eyed photographer was actually standing in the doorway to my office, laughing and smiling, saying, “Come with me to South Africa.”
I had never been outside of America. And I had a modeling agency to run. I hadn’t taken off for a holiday in 6 years. His invitation was tempting, but I didn’t feel I could take the time for a vacation or holiday. So, I thanked him and shrugged it off. Perhaps one day I’d have time for holidays.
My secretary came into my office and asked, “Did HE just invite you to go with him to South Africa, visit his home country and meet his parents?” “Yes,” I said. “Wouldn’t he be surprised if I actually went?” Then, the idea struck me. “Buy me a ticket,” I told my secretary, “And get me the seat next to his. It will be a wonderful joke. After we show him the ticket and see what he says, we’ll cash it back in.” She bought the ticket. The next time he came into my office, I showed it to him and, sure enough, he was surprised.
“I invite everyone to come to South Africa,” he said, “but no one ever accepts. I will call my mother and have her make arrangements for you.” And out he went.
What great fun! We had called his bluff and were thoroughly enjoying our little joke. About an hour later, my secretary came in and said, “I think the joke is on us. I didn’t realize I bought you a non-refundable ticket.”
What started out as nothing more than a joke ended up becoming an ultimate vacation.
I met my South African photographer friend, Vimmi, at the airport and within an hour, we were on our way to South Africa. I couldn’t recall ever having been so excited. I must have asked him 100 questions in the first hour. He explained to me in no uncertain terms that he was going home to see his family and had no intention of entertaining a foreigner by doing touristy things and sightseeing. Once we changed planes in New York, he took a sleeping pill and went to sleep leaving me to my excitement and questions. I read the literature that my secretary had collected for me. I learned about Johannesburg, Pretoria (the capital of South Africa), Durban , Cape Town, and Sun City (a gaming resort in what is called “a homeland”). I watched movies and talked to the people who were seated around me. It was a 10-hour flight from New York to Johannesburg, so there was plenty of time to meet the other passengers and get to know them. Many of them were from South Africa and others had visited before, so they gave me pointers and sightseeing tips.
Vimmi’s mother, Marty, met us at the airport in Johannesburg and they drove me to the Landrost Hotel, downtown, where she had made a reservation for me. It was a beautiful, old, historical hotel with dark wood paneling, high ceilings, plush furnishings and Persian rugs. I felt like royalty. Once I was checked in, they left and I went to my room. I was alone. Not only was I alone, I was alone in a foreign country about which I knew nothing except what I had read in those brochures and learned from the people I had talked to on the plane. What was I to do?
Early the next morning, I went down to the lobby and consulted the concierge who told me a tour that day was not possible as you had to make a reservation on the previous day. But, he said he would arrange tours for me for the next three days. Today, he recommended, I should put my money in my boot and my camera in a paper bag and take a walk around downtown. The idea of the paper bag was not to look like a tourist. It wasn’t long until I figured out that my disguise probably wasn’t working as my flaming red hair and brightly colored attire were really out of place in the business district of Johannesburg. Everyone I passed wore grey, black, or tweed business suits. I noticed one man in particular as he was dressed in black and white; everything was stark, beautiful, tailored, and expensive. He was more striking than Tom Selleck at his peak of popularity; he smiled as he passed me. I was lingering and looking in store windows, noticing the architecture, going in and out of stores, looking at tourist treasures and didn’t think too much about it when I passed him again a while later. Once again, he smiled and nodded.
As I stopped for the light before crossing the street at the corner of Coetze and Kline, I happened to look up and see a small outdoor café on the second floor of a building across the street. The cafe was located on an outdoor terrace with many colored umbrellas shading the tables from the sun. I was thinking how beautiful it was when the Tom Selleck look-alike walked up behind me and said something that I didn’t understand. So I said to him, “I’m sorry. I only speak English.”
“I was speaking English,” he replied in a heavy accent.
“What did you say?”
“I said that I’ve been running up and down this street for a half hour now trying to find out if anyone knew you so they could introduce me, but no one did, so I figured I’d better introduce myself before you get away. I’m Jeff Hoffman.”
“Well, nice to meet you Mr. Hoffman.”
“Would you like to have a coffee?” he asked indicating we should go to that charming café that I had been admiring. I saw no harm in sitting in an outdoor café, having coffee with the most handsome man I had seen in many years, so I agreed to go for “a coffee.”
Mr. Hoffman turned out to be divorced, a few years older than me, a successful businessman, and he was very interesting. He offered to show me around Johannesburg, but I explained that I had tours booked for the next few days. He then suggested that he drive me back to my hotel. I said that if he’d like to walk me back and point out the sites of downtown I would be happy to have him accompany me. So we walked, talked, and arrived at the hotel a couple of hours later. He invited me to dinner and I agreed as long as it was in the dining room at the hotel. After all, I was in a foreign country and didn’t know him at all. After dinner, he said “Good night” and that he would call.
The next day, I took my first tour. I had fun talking to people that I probably never would have talked with had I not been alone. I met people from England, Australia, and Asia. We saw the city, watched a performance of African dancers, toured a gold mine and even panned for gold. As the bus pulled up to let me off at my hotel, I saw Jeff Hoffman standing on the curb.
“Hi,” I said. “What are you doing here?”
“I’ve come to make sure you get a good dinner,” he said. Once again, we had a fabulous meal and enjoyed talking with each other about our different cultures and our lives. He explained to me that he was from Rhodesia and when the communists took over his country, he had moved to South Africa with his family. I was fascinated with his life and he was happy to share his experiences with me.
Each evening, as I returned from my daily tour, he was standing at the bus stop waiting to take me to dinner. Then I went on a three day tour to the Kruger National park, where I photographed animals in the wild. Everyone on the tour slept in round huts with thatched roofs called rondovals. In the Kruger Park, all eight of us who were on the tour ate our meals together and had cocktails called “sundowners” in the bush as we watched the sun go down. We even had dinner in the bush…a fabulous dinner served on folding tables with white table cloths, china, and even candles. Later we observed the night creatures as they came out of their daily hiding. What a wonderful adventure I was having.
Sure enough, when the tour bus pulled up to return me to the Landrost, there he was again. He said he figured that by now, I would need some clean clothes. He had come to take me to dinner and pick up my dirty laundry. He said that I should not pay the high hotel prices for having my laundry done, but give it to him and he would ask his maid to do it for me. Then, when we were together on Friday evening, he suggested that on Saturday he would take me to the Indian market. Surely, I could trust him enough by now to get in his car. After all, he had returned my clothing!
So Saturday, we went to the Indian market, shopped, ate exotic Indian foods, laughed, walked, and shopped some more. He invited me to his home for dinner.
On Sunday morning, Vimmi called wondering where I had been. They hadn’t heard from me all week and were beginning to worry. He said he was also feeling guilty that he had dropped me downtown and left me on my own to fend for myself. I told him I was having a wonderful time, but he insisted that he and his mother were going to Sun City, the gambling mecca in Bophutaswana, to see an entertainer by the name of Julio Iglesias. Julio was not yet known in the United States, so I had never heard of him, but I felt it would be fun to travel and see a bit more of the country. I packed up my bags and went off with Vim and Marty to see Julio’s show.
Marty had forgotten to fill up the gas tank in the car which caused us to run out of gas half way to our destination. So I called Jeff and he brought us some “petrol” for the car. Marty invited him to join us on our trip but he said he didn’t want to impose; after all, he had a business to run.
We were late arriving in Sun City and had missed most of the show. We made our way into the showroom in our traveling clothes, just in time to see Julio sing his last song. Marty was very upset. The tickets had cost her a lot of money and she had really wanted to see Julio’s show. Not knowing who he was and being from Las Vegas, I said I was sure that we’d be able to go backstage and meet him. So we marched up to Stage Door 4 where a group of ladies were screaming and jumping up and down. I walked right to the front of the crowd, with Marty in tow, presented Las Vegas modeling agency business card to the security guard, and said, “Please tell Julio that I’m here.” Before long the security guard came back with a gentleman who asked us to follow him.
Back stage, reporters from around the world waited to interview Julio, as waiters in black tails and white gloves served champagne and hors d’oeuvres. Needless to say, we were a bit underdressed in our traveling jeans and t-shirts. I even had a chocolate drip on the front on my shirt – the result of having eaten a candy bar in the car after it had melted in the sun. Julio entered the room with my card in his hand and said, “Judi, how nice of you to come.”
“This is my friend, Marty,” I said, “She so wanted to see your show but we ran out of gasoline and were late and missed all but the last song. Please will you autograph her program?”
He not only autographed the program, he took Marty’s face in his hands, kissed her on the cheeks, and sang her a song. She was blown away! He then greeted the press, thanked everyone for coming and when we finished our drinks, we said our goodbyes. Marty and I were like teenage girls as we went outside and sat on the patio, giggling, not believing that we had managed to get in backstage and that Julio actually sang to her and kissed her cheeks. She swore she would never wash her face again.
The following morning, we went out to sit by the pool and Julio was already there. He called to us, “Judi…Marty…come and say hello.” We were ecstatic. We spent the day swimming, parasailing, and waterskiing. We ran into some friends from Las Vegas who were now dancers in the production show at the Sun City Hotel. It was such a glorious day; it was incredibly beautiful there and we had such a wonderful time.
When I got back to my room, there was a message to call Jeff so I did. He asked if upon my return to Johannesburg, he could take me to out to a small town about 50 km outside of the city to meet his father, sister, and her family.
That, too, turned out to be a wonderful outing. His family members were all so nice and asked many questions about America and my life there. They served a wonderful meal and told me about their lives.
Vimmi then decided I should go to Cape Town to the beach for a few days with him and Marty. It was the most beautiful place I had ever seen. Vim and I laid on the beach in the sun and watched gorgeous people walk by; everyone was friendly and they all smiled at us. I was sure they were smiling because they somehow knew I was from America. Vimmi swore they were smiling at him. We enjoyed granadilla popsicles at the beach, ate out at the Greek restaurant on the corner down from Marty’s apartment, and drove around the Cape giving real baboons rides on the hood of the car around the downtown area. I was fascinated by how the baboons would wait on the side of the road for cars going out to the beach, jump on the car and ride one way; later, they’d jump on a car to ride back to the edge of the city. Imagine….hitchhiking baboons!
Jeff called every night and when we arrived back in Johannesburg once again, he was waiting for me. I only had two days left before I was to return home. We spent almost every waking second together…sightseeing, shopping, we even attended his son’s cricket game.
When the day came for me to return home, Jeff drove me to the airport to say goodbye. We stopped at a restaurant near the airport to have lunch. As we finished lunch, this wonderful, stylish, kind man with dark hair and dark eyes pulled out a small box and gave it to me. I opened it and discovered a beautiful, handmade gold ring set with a champagne diamond. Jeff smiled at me and said, “Come back to South Africa and be my wife.”
Editor’s Note: Jeff Hoffman died two months before they were to be married. Judi moved to South Africa anyway and remained there for 8 years.
Come With Me to South Africa
COME WITH ME TO SOUTH AFRICA
By Judi Moreo
A gorgeous 6’ 2”, blond-haired, brown-eyed photographer was actually standing in the doorway to my office, laughing and smiling, saying, “Come with me to South Africa.”
I had never been outside of America. And I had a modeling agency to run. I hadn’t taken off for a holiday in 6 years. His invitation was tempting, but I didn’t feel I could take the time for a vacation or holiday. So, I thanked him and shrugged it off. Perhaps one day I’d have time for holidays.
My secretary came into my office and asked, “Did HE just invite you to go with him to South Africa, visit his home country and meet his parents?” “Yes,” I said. “Wouldn’t he be surprised if I actually went?” Then, the idea struck me. “Buy me a ticket,” I told my secretary, “And get me the seat next to his. It will be a wonderful joke. After we show him the ticket and see what he says, we’ll cash it back in.” She bought the ticket. The next time he came into my office, I showed it to him and, sure enough, he was surprised.
“I invite everyone to come to South Africa,” he said, “but no one ever accepts. I will call my mother and have her make arrangements for you.” And out he went.
What great fun! We had called his bluff and were thoroughly enjoying our little joke. About an hour later, my secretary came in and said, “I think the joke is on us. I didn’t realize I bought you a non-refundable ticket.”
What started out as nothing more than a joke ended up becoming an ultimate vacation.
I met my South African photographer friend, Vimmi, at the airport and within an hour, we were on our way to South Africa. I couldn’t recall ever having been so excited. I must have asked him 100 questions in the first hour. He explained to me in no uncertain terms that he was going home to see his family and had no intention of entertaining a foreigner by doing touristy things and sightseeing. Once we changed planes in New York, he took a sleeping pill and went to sleep leaving me to my excitement and questions. I read the literature that my secretary had collected for me. I learned about Johannesburg, Pretoria (the capital of South Africa), Durban , Cape Town, and Sun City (a gaming resort in what is called “a homeland”). I watched movies and talked to the people who were seated around me. It was a 10-hour flight from New York to Johannesburg, so there was plenty of time to meet the other passengers and get to know them. Many of them were from South Africa and others had visited before, so they gave me pointers and sightseeing tips.
Vimmi’s mother, Marty, met us at the airport in Johannesburg and they drove me to the Landrost Hotel, downtown, where she had made a reservation for me. It was a beautiful, old, historical hotel with dark wood paneling, high ceilings, plush furnishings and Persian rugs. I felt like royalty. Once I was checked in, they left and I went to my room. I was alone. Not only was I alone, I was alone in a foreign country about which I knew nothing except what I had read in those brochures and learned from the people I had talked to on the plane. What was I to do?
Early the next morning, I went down to the lobby and consulted the concierge who told me a tour that day was not possible as you had to make a reservation on the previous day. But, he said he would arrange tours for me for the next three days. Today, he recommended, I should put my money in my boot and my camera in a paper bag and take a walk around downtown. The idea of the paper bag was not to look like a tourist. It wasn’t long until I figured out that my disguise probably wasn’t working as my flaming red hair and brightly colored attire were really out of place in the business district of Johannesburg. Everyone I passed wore grey, black, or tweed business suits. I noticed one man in particular as he was dressed in black and white; everything was stark, beautiful, tailored, and expensive. He was more striking than Tom Selleck at his peak of popularity; he smiled as he passed me. I was lingering and looking in store windows, noticing the architecture, going in and out of stores, looking at tourist treasures and didn’t think too much about it when I passed him again a while later. Once again, he smiled and nodded.
As I stopped for the light before crossing the street at the corner of Coetze and Kline, I happened to look up and see a small outdoor café on the second floor of a building across the street. The cafe was located on an outdoor terrace with many colored umbrellas shading the tables from the sun. I was thinking how beautiful it was when the Tom Selleck look-alike walked up behind me and said something that I didn’t understand. So I said to him, “I’m sorry. I only speak English.”
“I was speaking English,” he replied in a heavy accent.
“What did you say?”
“I said that I’ve been running up and down this street for a half hour now trying to find out if anyone knew you so they could introduce me, but no one did, so I figured I’d better introduce myself before you get away. I’m Jeff Hoffman.”
“Well, nice to meet you Mr. Hoffman.”
“Would you like to have a coffee?” he asked indicating we should go to that charming café that I had been admiring. I saw no harm in sitting in an outdoor café, having coffee with the most handsome man I had seen in many years, so I agreed to go for “a coffee.”
Mr. Hoffman turned out to be divorced, a few years older than me, a successful businessman, and he was very interesting. He offered to show me around Johannesburg, but I explained that I had tours booked for the next few days. He then suggested that he drive me back to my hotel. I said that if he’d like to walk me back and point out the sites of downtown I would be happy to have him accompany me. So we walked, talked, and arrived at the hotel a couple of hours later. He invited me to dinner and I agreed as long as it was in the dining room at the hotel. After all, I was in a foreign country and didn’t know him at all. After dinner, he said “Good night” and that he would call.
The next day, I took my first tour. I had fun talking to people that I probably never would have talked with had I not been alone. I met people from England, Australia, and Asia. We saw the city, watched a performance of African dancers, toured a gold mine and even panned for gold. As the bus pulled up to let me off at my hotel, I saw Jeff Hoffman standing on the curb.
“Hi,” I said. “What are you doing here?”
“I’ve come to make sure you get a good dinner,” he said. Once again, we had a fabulous meal and enjoyed talking with each other about our different cultures and our lives. He explained to me that he was from Rhodesia and when the communists took over his country, he had moved to South Africa with his family. I was fascinated with his life and he was happy to share his experiences with me.
Each evening, as I returned from my daily tour, he was standing at the bus stop waiting to take me to dinner. Then I went on a three day tour to the Kruger National park, where I photographed animals in the wild. Everyone on the tour slept in round huts with thatched roofs called rondovals. In the Kruger Park, all eight of us who were on the tour ate our meals together and had cocktails called “sundowners” in the bush as we watched the sun go down. We even had dinner in the bush…a fabulous dinner served on folding tables with white table cloths, china, and even candles. Later we observed the night creatures as they came out of their daily hiding. What a wonderful adventure I was having.
Sure enough, when the tour bus pulled up to return me to the Landrost, there he was again. He said he figured that by now, I would need some clean clothes. He had come to take me to dinner and pick up my dirty laundry. He said that I should not pay the high hotel prices for having my laundry done, but give it to him and he would ask his maid to do it for me. Then, when we were together on Friday evening, he suggested that on Saturday he would take me to the Indian market. Surely, I could trust him enough by now to get in his car. After all, he had returned my clothing!
So Saturday, we went to the Indian market, shopped, ate exotic Indian foods, laughed, walked, and shopped some more. He invited me to his home for dinner.
On Sunday morning, Vimmi called wondering where I had been. They hadn’t heard from me all week and were beginning to worry. He said he was also feeling guilty that he had dropped me downtown and left me on my own to fend for myself. I told him I was having a wonderful time, but he insisted that he and his mother were going to Sun City, the gambling mecca in Bophutaswana, to see an entertainer by the name of Julio Iglesias. Julio was not yet known in the United States, so I had never heard of him, but I felt it would be fun to travel and see a bit more of the country. I packed up my bags and went off with Vim and Marty to see Julio’s show.
Marty had forgotten to fill up the gas tank in the car which caused us to run out of gas half way to our destination. So I called Jeff and he brought us some “petrol” for the car. Marty invited him to join us on our trip but he said he didn’t want to impose; after all, he had a business to run.
We were late arriving in Sun City and had missed most of the show. We made our way into the showroom in our traveling clothes, just in time to see Julio sing his last song. Marty was very upset. The tickets had cost her a lot of money and she had really wanted to see Julio’s show. Not knowing who he was and being from Las Vegas, I said I was sure that we’d be able to go backstage and meet him. So we marched up to Stage Door 4 where a group of ladies were screaming and jumping up and down. I walked right to the front of the crowd, with Marty in tow, presented Las Vegas modeling agency business card to the security guard, and said, “Please tell Julio that I’m here.” Before long the security guard came back with a gentleman who asked us to follow him.
Back stage, reporters from around the world waited to interview Julio, as waiters in black tails and white gloves served champagne and hors d’oeuvres. Needless to say, we were a bit underdressed in our traveling jeans and t-shirts. I even had a chocolate drip on the front on my shirt – the result of having eaten a candy bar in the car after it had melted in the sun. Julio entered the room with my card in his hand and said, “Judi, how nice of you to come.”
“This is my friend, Marty,” I said, “She so wanted to see your show but we ran out of gasoline and were late and missed all but the last song. Please will you autograph her program?”
He not only autographed the program, he took Marty’s face in his hands, kissed her on the cheeks, and sang her a song. She was blown away! He then greeted the press, thanked everyone for coming and when we finished our drinks, we said our goodbyes. Marty and I were like teenage girls as we went outside and sat on the patio, giggling, not believing that we had managed to get in backstage and that Julio actually sang to her and kissed her cheeks. She swore she would never wash her face again.
The following morning, we went out to sit by the pool and Julio was already there. He called to us, “Judi…Marty…come and say hello.” We were ecstatic. We spent the day swimming, parasailing, and waterskiing. We ran into some friends from Las Vegas who were now dancers in the production show at the Sun City Hotel. It was such a glorious day; it was incredibly beautiful there and we had such a wonderful time.
When I got back to my room, there was a message to call Jeff so I did. He asked if upon my return to Johannesburg, he could take me to out to a small town about 50 km outside of the city to meet his father, sister, and her family.
That, too, turned out to be a wonderful outing. His family members were all so nice and asked many questions about America and my life there. They served a wonderful meal and told me about their lives.
Vimmi then decided I should go to Cape Town to the beach for a few days with him and Marty. It was the most beautiful place I had ever seen. Vim and I laid on the beach in the sun and watched gorgeous people walk by; everyone was friendly and they all smiled at us. I was sure they were smiling because they somehow knew I was from America. Vimmi swore they were smiling at him. We enjoyed granadilla popsicles at the beach, ate out at the Greek restaurant on the corner down from Marty’s apartment, and drove around the Cape giving real baboons rides on the hood of the car around the downtown area. I was fascinated by how the baboons would wait on the side of the road for cars going out to the beach, jump on the car and ride one way; later, they’d jump on a car to ride back to the edge of the city. Imagine….hitchhiking baboons!
Jeff called every night and when we arrived back in Johannesburg once again, he was waiting for me. I only had two days left before I was to return home. We spent almost every waking second together…sightseeing, shopping, we even attended his son’s cricket game.
When the day came for me to return home, Jeff drove me to the airport to say goodbye. We stopped at a restaurant near the airport to have lunch. As we finished lunch, this wonderful, stylish, kind man with dark hair and dark eyes pulled out a small box and gave it to me. I opened it and discovered a beautiful, handmade gold ring set with a champagne diamond. Jeff smiled at me and said, “Come back to South Africa and be my wife.”
###
Editor’s Note: Jeff Hoffman died two months before they were to be married. Judi moved to South Africa anyway and remained there for 8 years.
Discovery
I’ve been logging on from time to time with the real intention of writing something, but every time words fail me.
It is only now, having covered some personal distance that perhaps today, I’ll find the words to put together my ‘tale’ of personal discovery. I’ve been married for 7195 days and for about 6935 days, I’ve always wondered what if? Married too young, pregnant immediately and found myself ‘truly’ stuck in this relationship… Or so I thought. Only recently, being presented with a good reason and opportunity to free myself – low and behold, I could not do it. Naturally, came up with a 1001 reason why I could not cut my losses and move on. Kids, money, parents etc. After some considerable personal struggle and plenty of self talk (professional help included ha-ha), I came to the realization that I’ve been fooling myself for too long.
Here I was with enough ammunition to call everything quits. Everyone will understand and be supportive. And yet … Finally, I get it. I love him. I really do. I don’t want to spend endless evenings wondering where he is, what his doing, who he’s with… I don’t want that life.
He finally gets me (after 19 years and 8 months), he gets me. He knows who I am and what I need. And yet … here I was always thinking I wanted something else, someone different and never ‘happy’. What a lie….!
I’m married to a quiet & gentle man. He’s got so many good qualities that I’ve overlooked for too long. He is an amazing father and a good loving son to his parents. Most of all – a supportive husband that rarely gives his very ‘demanding’ wife grief. A good man, that’s been neglected for a long time. OK, from time to time, needs to show that he’s the man of the house, but overall allows me to do my own thing, give me the freedom to ’succeed’ & grow and understands when I need to break out.
I’ve neglected this marriage and if ‘real’ happiness was missing, I’ve come to realize that I’m the driver in this. In my search for ‘realness’, romance, happiness and ‘whatever’, I’ve very nearly lost my true love. My first love. My only love.
Nice thing though – I’ve got a second chance to get this right. I’m taking it.
Thank you Mary – for being there when I needed it. Me talking, you listening – was part of my discovery.
Come With Me to South Africa
COME WITH ME TO SOUTH AFRICA
By Judi Moreo
A gorgeous 6’ 2”, blond-haired, brown-eyed photographer was actually standing in the doorway to my office, laughing and smiling, saying, “Come with me to South Africa.”
I had never been outside of America. And I had a modeling agency to run. I hadn’t taken off for a holiday in 6 years. His invitation was tempting, but I didn’t feel I could take the time for a vacation or holiday. So, I thanked him and shrugged it off. Perhaps one day I’d have time for holidays.
My secretary came into my office and asked, “Did HE just invite you to go with him to South Africa, visit his home country and meet his parents?” “Yes,” I said. “Wouldn’t he be surprised if I actually went?” Then, the idea struck me. “Buy me a ticket,” I told my secretary, “And get me the seat next to his. It will be a wonderful joke. After we show him the ticket and see what he says, we’ll cash it back in.” She bought the ticket. The next time he came into my office, I showed it to him and, sure enough, he was surprised.
“I invite everyone to come to South Africa,” he said, “but no one ever accepts. I will call my mother and have her make arrangements for you.” And out he went.
What great fun! We had called his bluff and were thoroughly enjoying our little joke. About an hour later, my secretary came in and said, “I think the joke is on us. I didn’t realize I bought you a non-refundable ticket.”
What started out as nothing more than a joke ended up becoming an ultimate vacation.
I met my South African photographer friend, Vimmi, at the airport and within an hour, we were on our way to South Africa. I couldn’t recall ever having been so excited. I must have asked him 100 questions in the first hour. He explained to me in no uncertain terms that he was going home to see his family and had no intention of entertaining a foreigner by doing touristy things and sightseeing. Once we changed planes in New York, he took a sleeping pill and went to sleep leaving me to my excitement and questions. I read the literature that my secretary had collected for me. I learned about Johannesburg, Pretoria (the capital of South Africa), Durban , Cape Town, and Sun City (a gaming resort in what is called “a homeland”). I watched movies and talked to the people who were seated around me. It was a 10-hour flight from New York to Johannesburg, so there was plenty of time to meet the other passengers and get to know them. Many of them were from South Africa and others had visited before, so they gave me pointers and sightseeing tips.
Vimmi’s mother, Marty, met us at the airport in Johannesburg and they drove me to the Landrost Hotel, downtown, where she had made a reservation for me. It was a beautiful, old, historical hotel with dark wood paneling, high ceilings, plush furnishings and Persian rugs. I felt like royalty. Once I was checked in, they left and I went to my room. I was alone. Not only was I alone, I was alone in a foreign country about which I knew nothing except what I had read in those brochures and learned from the people I had talked to on the plane. What was I to do?
Early the next morning, I went down to the lobby and consulted the concierge who told me a tour that day was not possible as you had to make a reservation on the previous day. But, he said he would arrange tours for me for the next three days. Today, he recommended, I should put my money in my boot and my camera in a paper bag and take a walk around downtown. The idea of the paper bag was not to look like a tourist. It wasn’t long until I figured out that my disguise probably wasn’t working as my flaming red hair and brightly colored attire were really out of place in the business district of Johannesburg. Everyone I passed wore grey, black, or tweed business suits. I noticed one man in particular as he was dressed in black and white; everything was stark, beautiful, tailored, and expensive. He was more striking than Tom Selleck at his peak of popularity; he smiled as he passed me. I was lingering and looking in store windows, noticing the architecture, going in and out of stores, looking at tourist treasures and didn’t think too much about it when I passed him again a while later. Once again, he smiled and nodded.
As I stopped for the light before crossing the street at the corner of Coetze and Kline, I happened to look up and see a small outdoor café on the second floor of a building across the street. The cafe was located on an outdoor terrace with many colored umbrellas shading the tables from the sun. I was thinking how beautiful it was when the Tom Selleck look-alike walked up behind me and said something that I didn’t understand. So I said to him, “I’m sorry. I only speak English.”
“I was speaking English,” he replied in a heavy accent.
“What did you say?”
“I said that I’ve been running up and down this street for a half hour now trying to find out if anyone knew you so they could introduce me, but no one did, so I figured I’d better introduce myself before you get away. I’m Jeff Hoffman.”
“Well, nice to meet you Mr. Hoffman.”
“Would you like to have a coffee?” he asked indicating we should go to that charming café that I had been admiring. I saw no harm in sitting in an outdoor café, having coffee with the most handsome man I had seen in many years, so I agreed to go for “a coffee.”
Mr. Hoffman turned out to be divorced, a few years older than me, a successful businessman, and he was very interesting. He offered to show me around Johannesburg, but I explained that I had tours booked for the next few days. He then suggested that he drive me back to my hotel. I said that if he’d like to walk me back and point out the sites of downtown I would be happy to have him accompany me. So we walked, talked, and arrived at the hotel a couple of hours later. He invited me to dinner and I agreed as long as it was in the dining room at the hotel. After all, I was in a foreign country and didn’t know him at all. After dinner, he said “Good night” and that he would call.
The next day, I took my first tour. I had fun talking to people that I probably never would have talked with had I not been alone. I met people from England, Australia, and Asia. We saw the city, watched a performance of African dancers, toured a gold mine and even panned for gold. As the bus pulled up to let me off at my hotel, I saw Jeff Hoffman standing on the curb.
“Hi,” I said. “What are you doing here?”
“I’ve come to make sure you get a good dinner,” he said. Once again, we had a fabulous meal and enjoyed talking with each other about our different cultures and our lives. He explained to me that he was from Rhodesia and when the communists took over his country, he had moved to South Africa with his family. I was fascinated with his life and he was happy to share his experiences with me.
Each evening, as I returned from my daily tour, he was standing at the bus stop waiting to take me to dinner. Then I went on a three day tour to the Kruger National park, where I photographed animals in the wild. Everyone on the tour slept in round huts with thatched roofs called rondovals. In the Kruger Park, all eight of us who were on the tour ate our meals together and had cocktails called “sundowners” in the bush as we watched the sun go down. We even had dinner in the bush…a fabulous dinner served on folding tables with white table cloths, china, and even candles. Later we observed the night creatures as they came out of their daily hiding. What a wonderful adventure I was having.
Sure enough, when the tour bus pulled up to return me to the Landrost, there he was again. He said he figured that by now, I would need some clean clothes. He had come to take me to dinner and pick up my dirty laundry. He said that I should not pay the high hotel prices for having my laundry done, but give it to him and he would ask his maid to do it for me. Then, when we were together on Friday evening, he suggested that on Saturday he would take me to the Indian market. Surely, I could trust him enough by now to get in his car. After all, he had returned my clothing!
So Saturday, we went to the Indian market, shopped, ate exotic Indian foods, laughed, walked, and shopped some more. He invited me to his home for dinner.
On Sunday morning, Vimmi called wondering where I had been. They hadn’t heard from me all week and were beginning to worry. He said he was also feeling guilty that he had dropped me downtown and left me on my own to fend for myself. I told him I was having a wonderful time, but he insisted that he and his mother were going to Sun City, the gambling mecca in Bophutaswana, to see an entertainer by the name of Julio Iglesias. Julio was not yet known in the United States, so I had never heard of him, but I felt it would be fun to travel and see a bit more of the country. I packed up my bags and went off with Vim and Marty to see Julio’s show.
Marty had forgotten to fill up the gas tank in the car which caused us to run out of gas half way to our destination. So I called Jeff and he brought us some “petrol” for the car. Marty invited him to join us on our trip but he said he didn’t want to impose; after all, he had a business to run.
We were late arriving in Sun City and had missed most of the show. We made our way into the showroom in our traveling clothes, just in time to see Julio sing his last song. Marty was very upset. The tickets had cost her a lot of money and she had really wanted to see Julio’s show. Not knowing who he was and being from Las Vegas, I said I was sure that we’d be able to go backstage and meet him. So we marched up to Stage Door 4 where a group of ladies were screaming and jumping up and down. I walked right to the front of the crowd, with Marty in tow, presented Las Vegas modeling agency business card to the security guard, and said, “Please tell Julio that I’m here.” Before long the security guard came back with a gentleman who asked us to follow him.
Back stage, reporters from around the world waited to interview Julio, as waiters in black tails and white gloves served champagne and hors d’oeuvres. Needless to say, we were a bit underdressed in our traveling jeans and t-shirts. I even had a chocolate drip on the front on my shirt – the result of having eaten a candy bar in the car after it had melted in the sun. Julio entered the room with my card in his hand and said, “Judi, how nice of you to come.”
“This is my friend, Marty,” I said, “She so wanted to see your show but we ran out of gasoline and were late and missed all but the last song. Please will you autograph her program?”
He not only autographed the program, he took Marty’s face in his hands, kissed her on the cheeks, and sang her a song. She was blown away! He then greeted the press, thanked everyone for coming and when we finished our drinks, we said our goodbyes. Marty and I were like teenage girls as we went outside and sat on the patio, giggling, not believing that we had managed to get in backstage and that Julio actually sang to her and kissed her cheeks. She swore she would never wash her face again.
The following morning, we went out to sit by the pool and Julio was already there. He called to us, “Judi…Marty…come and say hello.” We were ecstatic. We spent the day swimming, parasailing, and waterskiing. We ran into some friends from Las Vegas who were now dancers in the production show at the Sun City Hotel. It was such a glorious day; it was incredibly beautiful there and we had such a wonderful time.
When I got back to my room, there was a message to call Jeff so I did. He asked if upon my return to Johannesburg, he could take me to out to a small town about 50 km outside of the city to meet his father, sister, and her family.
That, too, turned out to be a wonderful outing. His family members were all so nice and asked many questions about America and my life there. They served a wonderful meal and told me about their lives.
Vimmi then decided I should go to Cape Town to the beach for a few days with him and Marty. It was the most beautiful place I had ever seen. Vim and I laid on the beach in the sun and watched gorgeous people walk by; everyone was friendly and they all smiled at us. I was sure they were smiling because they somehow knew I was from America. Vimmi swore they were smiling at him. We enjoyed granadilla popsicles at the beach, ate out at the Greek restaurant on the corner down from Marty’s apartment, and drove around the Cape giving real baboons rides on the hood of the car around the downtown area. I was fascinated by how the baboons would wait on the side of the road for cars going out to the beach, jump on the car and ride one way; later, they’d jump on a car to ride back to the edge of the city. Imagine….hitchhiking baboons!
Jeff called every night and when we arrived back in Johannesburg once again, he was waiting for me. I only had two days left before I was to return home. We spent almost every waking second together…sightseeing, shopping, we even attended his son’s cricket game.
When the day came for me to return home, Jeff drove me to the airport to say goodbye. We stopped at a restaurant near the airport to have lunch. As we finished lunch, this wonderful, stylish, kind man with dark hair and dark eyes pulled out a small box and gave it to me. I opened it and discovered a beautiful, handmade gold ring set with a champagne diamond. Jeff smiled at me and said, “Come back to South Africa and be my wife.”
###
Editor’s Note: Jeff Hoffman died two months before they were to be married. Judi moved to South Africa anyway and remained there for 8 years.
Come With Me to South Africa
COME WITH ME TO SOUTH AFRICA
By Judi Moreo
A gorgeous 6’ 2”, blond-haired, brown-eyed photographer was actually standing in the doorway to my office, laughing and smiling, saying, “Come with me to South Africa.”
I had never been outside of America. And I had a modeling agency to run. I hadn’t taken off for a holiday in 6 years. His invitation was tempting, but I didn’t feel I could take the time for a vacation or holiday. So, I thanked him and shrugged it off. Perhaps one day I’d have time for holidays.
My secretary came into my office and asked, “Did HE just invite you to go with him to South Africa, visit his home country and meet his parents?” “Yes,” I said. “Wouldn’t he be surprised if I actually went?” Then, the idea struck me. “Buy me a ticket,” I told my secretary, “And get me the seat next to his. It will be a wonderful joke. After we show him the ticket and see what he says, we’ll cash it back in.” She bought the ticket. The next time he came into my office, I showed it to him and, sure enough, he was surprised.
“I invite everyone to come to South Africa,” he said, “but no one ever accepts. I will call my mother and have her make arrangements for you.” And out he went.
What great fun! We had called his bluff and were thoroughly enjoying our little joke. About an hour later, my secretary came in and said, “I think the joke is on us. I didn’t realize I bought you a non-refundable ticket.”
What started out as nothing more than a joke ended up becoming an ultimate vacation.
I met my South African photographer friend, Vimmi, at the airport and within an hour, we were on our way to South Africa. I couldn’t recall ever having been so excited. I must have asked him 100 questions in the first hour. He explained to me in no uncertain terms that he was going home to see his family and had no intention of entertaining a foreigner by doing touristy things and sightseeing. Once we changed planes in New York, he took a sleeping pill and went to sleep leaving me to my excitement and questions. I read the literature that my secretary had collected for me. I learned about Johannesburg, Pretoria (the capital of South Africa), Durban , Cape Town, and Sun City (a gaming resort in what is called “a homeland”). I watched movies and talked to the people who were seated around me. It was a 10-hour flight from New York to Johannesburg, so there was plenty of time to meet the other passengers and get to know them. Many of them were from South Africa and others had visited before, so they gave me pointers and sightseeing tips.
Vimmi’s mother, Marty, met us at the airport in Johannesburg and they drove me to the Landrost Hotel, downtown, where she had made a reservation for me. It was a beautiful, old, historical hotel with dark wood paneling, high ceilings, plush furnishings and Persian rugs. I felt like royalty. Once I was checked in, they left and I went to my room. I was alone. Not only was I alone, I was alone in a foreign country about which I knew nothing except what I had read in those brochures and learned from the people I had talked to on the plane. What was I to do?
Early the next morning, I went down to the lobby and consulted the concierge who told me a tour that day was not possible as you had to make a reservation on the previous day. But, he said he would arrange tours for me for the next three days. Today, he recommended, I should put my money in my boot and my camera in a paper bag and take a walk around downtown. The idea of the paper bag was not to look like a tourist. It wasn’t long until I figured out that my disguise probably wasn’t working as my flaming red hair and brightly colored attire were really out of place in the business district of Johannesburg. Everyone I passed wore grey, black, or tweed business suits. I noticed one man in particular as he was dressed in black and white; everything was stark, beautiful, tailored, and expensive. He was more striking than Tom Selleck at his peak of popularity; he smiled as he passed me. I was lingering and looking in store windows, noticing the architecture, going in and out of stores, looking at tourist treasures and didn’t think too much about it when I passed him again a while later. Once again, he smiled and nodded.
As I stopped for the light before crossing the street at the corner of Coetze and Kline, I happened to look up and see a small outdoor café on the second floor of a building across the street. The cafe was located on an outdoor terrace with many colored umbrellas shading the tables from the sun. I was thinking how beautiful it was when the Tom Selleck look-alike walked up behind me and said something that I didn’t understand. So I said to him, “I’m sorry. I only speak English.”
“I was speaking English,” he replied in a heavy accent.
“What did you say?”
“I said that I’ve been running up and down this street for a half hour now trying to find out if anyone knew you so they could introduce me, but no one did, so I figured I’d better introduce myself before you get away. I’m Jeff Hoffman.”
“Well, nice to meet you Mr. Hoffman.”
“Would you like to have a coffee?” he asked indicating we should go to that charming café that I had been admiring. I saw no harm in sitting in an outdoor café, having coffee with the most handsome man I had seen in many years, so I agreed to go for “a coffee.”
Mr. Hoffman turned out to be divorced, a few years older than me, a successful businessman, and he was very interesting. He offered to show me around Johannesburg, but I explained that I had tours booked for the next few days. He then suggested that he drive me back to my hotel. I said that if he’d like to walk me back and point out the sites of downtown I would be happy to have him accompany me. So we walked, talked, and arrived at the hotel a couple of hours later. He invited me to dinner and I agreed as long as it was in the dining room at the hotel. After all, I was in a foreign country and didn’t know him at all. After dinner, he said “Good night” and that he would call.
The next day, I took my first tour. I had fun talking to people that I probably never would have talked with had I not been alone. I met people from England, Australia, and Asia. We saw the city, watched a performance of African dancers, toured a gold mine and even panned for gold. As the bus pulled up to let me off at my hotel, I saw Jeff Hoffman standing on the curb.
“Hi,” I said. “What are you doing here?”
“I’ve come to make sure you get a good dinner,” he said. Once again, we had a fabulous meal and enjoyed talking with each other about our different cultures and our lives. He explained to me that he was from Rhodesia and when the communists took over his country, he had moved to South Africa with his family. I was fascinated with his life and he was happy to share his experiences with me.
Each evening, as I returned from my daily tour, he was standing at the bus stop waiting to take me to dinner. Then I went on a three day tour to the Kruger National park, where I photographed animals in the wild. Everyone on the tour slept in round huts with thatched roofs called rondovals. In the Kruger Park, all eight of us who were on the tour ate our meals together and had cocktails called “sundowners” in the bush as we watched the sun go down. We even had dinner in the bush…a fabulous dinner served on folding tables with white table cloths, china, and even candles. Later we observed the night creatures as they came out of their daily hiding. What a wonderful adventure I was having.
Sure enough, when the tour bus pulled up to return me to the Landrost, there he was again. He said he figured that by now, I would need some clean clothes. He had come to take me to dinner and pick up my dirty laundry. He said that I should not pay the high hotel prices for having my laundry done, but give it to him and he would ask his maid to do it for me. Then, when we were together on Friday evening, he suggested that on Saturday he would take me to the Indian market. Surely, I could trust him enough by now to get in his car. After all, he had returned my clothing!
So Saturday, we went to the Indian market, shopped, ate exotic Indian foods, laughed, walked, and shopped some more. He invited me to his home for dinner.
On Sunday morning, Vimmi called wondering where I had been. They hadn’t heard from me all week and were beginning to worry. He said he was also feeling guilty that he had dropped me downtown and left me on my own to fend for myself. I told him I was having a wonderful time, but he insisted that he and his mother were going to Sun City, the gambling mecca in Bophutaswana, to see an entertainer by the name of Julio Iglesias. Julio was not yet known in the United States, so I had never heard of him, but I felt it would be fun to travel and see a bit more of the country. I packed up my bags and went off with Vim and Marty to see Julio’s show.
Marty had forgotten to fill up the gas tank in the car which caused us to run out of gas half way to our destination. So I called Jeff and he brought us some “petrol” for the car. Marty invited him to join us on our trip but he said he didn’t want to impose; after all, he had a business to run.
We were late arriving in Sun City and had missed most of the show. We made our way into the showroom in our traveling clothes, just in time to see Julio sing his last song. Marty was very upset. The tickets had cost her a lot of money and she had really wanted to see Julio’s show. Not knowing who he was and being from Las Vegas, I said I was sure that we’d be able to go backstage and meet him. So we marched up to Stage Door 4 where a group of ladies were screaming and jumping up and down. I walked right to the front of the crowd, with Marty in tow, presented Las Vegas modeling agency business card to the security guard, and said, “Please tell Julio that I’m here.” Before long the security guard came back with a gentleman who asked us to follow him.
Back stage, reporters from around the world waited to interview Julio, as waiters in black tails and white gloves served champagne and hors d’oeuvres. Needless to say, we were a bit underdressed in our traveling jeans and t-shirts. I even had a chocolate drip on the front on my shirt – the result of having eaten a candy bar in the car after it had melted in the sun. Julio entered the room with my card in his hand and said, “Judi, how nice of you to come.”
“This is my friend, Marty,” I said, “She so wanted to see your show but we ran out of gasoline and were late and missed all but the last song. Please will you autograph her program?”
He not only autographed the program, he took Marty’s face in his hands, kissed her on the cheeks, and sang her a song. She was blown away! He then greeted the press, thanked everyone for coming and when we finished our drinks, we said our goodbyes. Marty and I were like teenage girls as we went outside and sat on the patio, giggling, not believing that we had managed to get in backstage and that Julio actually sang to her and kissed her cheeks. She swore she would never wash her face again.
The following morning, we went out to sit by the pool and Julio was already there. He called to us, “Judi…Marty…come and say hello.” We were ecstatic. We spent the day swimming, parasailing, and waterskiing. We ran into some friends from Las Vegas who were now dancers in the production show at the Sun City Hotel. It was such a glorious day; it was incredibly beautiful there and we had such a wonderful time.
When I got back to my room, there was a message to call Jeff so I did. He asked if upon my return to Johannesburg, he could take me to out to a small town about 50 km outside of the city to meet his father, sister, and her family.
That, too, turned out to be a wonderful outing. His family members were all so nice and asked many questions about America and my life there. They served a wonderful meal and told me about their lives.
Vimmi then decided I should go to Cape Town to the beach for a few days with him and Marty. It was the most beautiful place I had ever seen. Vim and I laid on the beach in the sun and watched gorgeous people walk by; everyone was friendly and they all smiled at us. I was sure they were smiling because they somehow knew I was from America. Vimmi swore they were smiling at him. We enjoyed granadilla popsicles at the beach, ate out at the Greek restaurant on the corner down from Marty’s apartment, and drove around the Cape giving real baboons rides on the hood of the car around the downtown area. I was fascinated by how the baboons would wait on the side of the road for cars going out to the beach, jump on the car and ride one way; later, they’d jump on a car to ride back to the edge of the city. Imagine….hitchhiking baboons!
Jeff called every night and when we arrived back in Johannesburg once again, he was waiting for me. I only had two days left before I was to return home. We spent almost every waking second together…sightseeing, shopping, we even attended his son’s cricket game.
When the day came for me to return home, Jeff drove me to the airport to say goodbye. We stopped at a restaurant near the airport to have lunch. As we finished lunch, this wonderful, stylish, kind man with dark hair and dark eyes pulled out a small box and gave it to me. I opened it and discovered a beautiful, handmade gold ring set with a champagne diamond. Jeff smiled at me and said, “Come back to South Africa and be my wife.”
###
Editor’s Note: Jeff Hoffman died two months before they were to be married. Judi moved to South Africa anyway and remained there for 8 years.
Come With Me to South Africa
COME WITH ME TO SOUTH AFRICA
By Judi Moreo
A gorgeous 6’ 2”, blond-haired, brown-eyed photographer was actually standing in the doorway to my office, laughing and smiling, saying, “Come with me to South Africa.”
I had never been outside of America. And I had a modeling agency to run. I hadn’t taken off for a holiday in 6 years. His invitation was tempting, but I didn’t feel I could take the time for a vacation or holiday. So, I thanked him and shrugged it off. Perhaps one day I’d have time for holidays.
My secretary came into my office and asked, “Did HE just invite you to go with him to South Africa, visit his home country and meet his parents?” “Yes,” I said. “Wouldn’t he be surprised if I actually went?” Then, the idea struck me. “Buy me a ticket,” I told my secretary, “And get me the seat next to his. It will be a wonderful joke. After we show him the ticket and see what he says, we’ll cash it back in.” She bought the ticket. The next time he came into my office, I showed it to him and, sure enough, he was surprised.
“I invite everyone to come to South Africa,” he said, “but no one ever accepts. I will call my mother and have her make arrangements for you.” And out he went.
What great fun! We had called his bluff and were thoroughly enjoying our little joke. About an hour later, my secretary came in and said, “I think the joke is on us. I didn’t realize I bought you a non-refundable ticket.”
What started out as nothing more than a joke ended up becoming an ultimate vacation.
I met my South African photographer friend, Vimmi, at the airport and within an hour, we were on our way to South Africa. I couldn’t recall ever having been so excited. I must have asked him 100 questions in the first hour. He explained to me in no uncertain terms that he was going home to see his family and had no intention of entertaining a foreigner by doing touristy things and sightseeing. Once we changed planes in New York, he took a sleeping pill and went to sleep leaving me to my excitement and questions. I read the literature that my secretary had collected for me. I learned about Johannesburg, Pretoria (the capital of South Africa), Durban , Cape Town, and Sun City (a gaming resort in what is called “a homeland”). I watched movies and talked to the people who were seated around me. It was a 10-hour flight from New York to Johannesburg, so there was plenty of time to meet the other passengers and get to know them. Many of them were from South Africa and others had visited before, so they gave me pointers and sightseeing tips.
Vimmi’s mother, Marty, met us at the airport in Johannesburg and they drove me to the Landrost Hotel, downtown, where she had made a reservation for me. It was a beautiful, old, historical hotel with dark wood paneling, high ceilings, plush furnishings and Persian rugs. I felt like royalty. Once I was checked in, they left and I went to my room. I was alone. Not only was I alone, I was alone in a foreign country about which I knew nothing except what I had read in those brochures and learned from the people I had talked to on the plane. What was I to do?
Early the next morning, I went down to the lobby and consulted the concierge who told me a tour that day was not possible as you had to make a reservation on the previous day. But, he said he would arrange tours for me for the next three days. Today, he recommended, I should put my money in my boot and my camera in a paper bag and take a walk around downtown. The idea of the paper bag was not to look like a tourist. It wasn’t long until I figured out that my disguise probably wasn’t working as my flaming red hair and brightly colored attire were really out of place in the business district of Johannesburg. Everyone I passed wore grey, black, or tweed business suits. I noticed one man in particular as he was dressed in black and white; everything was stark, beautiful, tailored, and expensive. He was more striking than Tom Selleck at his peak of popularity; he smiled as he passed me. I was lingering and looking in store windows, noticing the architecture, going in and out of stores, looking at tourist treasures and didn’t think too much about it when I passed him again a while later. Once again, he smiled and nodded.
As I stopped for the light before crossing the street at the corner of Coetze and Kline, I happened to look up and see a small outdoor café on the second floor of a building across the street. The cafe was located on an outdoor terrace with many colored umbrellas shading the tables from the sun. I was thinking how beautiful it was when the Tom Selleck look-alike walked up behind me and said something that I didn’t understand. So I said to him, “I’m sorry. I only speak English.”
“I was speaking English,” he replied in a heavy accent.
“What did you say?”
“I said that I’ve been running up and down this street for a half hour now trying to find out if anyone knew you so they could introduce me, but no one did, so I figured I’d better introduce myself before you get away. I’m Jeff Hoffman.”
“Well, nice to meet you Mr. Hoffman.”
“Would you like to have a coffee?” he asked indicating we should go to that charming café that I had been admiring. I saw no harm in sitting in an outdoor café, having coffee with the most handsome man I had seen in many years, so I agreed to go for “a coffee.”
Mr. Hoffman turned out to be divorced, a few years older than me, a successful businessman, and he was very interesting. He offered to show me around Johannesburg, but I explained that I had tours booked for the next few days. He then suggested that he drive me back to my hotel. I said that if he’d like to walk me back and point out the sites of downtown I would be happy to have him accompany me. So we walked, talked, and arrived at the hotel a couple of hours later. He invited me to dinner and I agreed as long as it was in the dining room at the hotel. After all, I was in a foreign country and didn’t know him at all. After dinner, he said “Good night” and that he would call.
The next day, I took my first tour. I had fun talking to people that I probably never would have talked with had I not been alone. I met people from England, Australia, and Asia. We saw the city, watched a performance of African dancers, toured a gold mine and even panned for gold. As the bus pulled up to let me off at my hotel, I saw Jeff Hoffman standing on the curb.
“Hi,” I said. “What are you doing here?”
“I’ve come to make sure you get a good dinner,” he said. Once again, we had a fabulous meal and enjoyed talking with each other about our different cultures and our lives. He explained to me that he was from Rhodesia and when the communists took over his country, he had moved to South Africa with his family. I was fascinated with his life and he was happy to share his experiences with me.
Each evening, as I returned from my daily tour, he was standing at the bus stop waiting to take me to dinner. Then I went on a three day tour to the Kruger National park, where I photographed animals in the wild. Everyone on the tour slept in round huts with thatched roofs called rondovals. In the Kruger Park, all eight of us who were on the tour ate our meals together and had cocktails called “sundowners” in the bush as we watched the sun go down. We even had dinner in the bush…a fabulous dinner served on folding tables with white table cloths, china, and even candles. Later we observed the night creatures as they came out of their daily hiding. What a wonderful adventure I was having.
Sure enough, when the tour bus pulled up to return me to the Landrost, there he was again. He said he figured that by now, I would need some clean clothes. He had come to take me to dinner and pick up my dirty laundry. He said that I should not pay the high hotel prices for having my laundry done, but give it to him and he would ask his maid to do it for me. Then, when we were together on Friday evening, he suggested that on Saturday he would take me to the Indian market. Surely, I could trust him enough by now to get in his car. After all, he had returned my clothing!
So Saturday, we went to the Indian market, shopped, ate exotic Indian foods, laughed, walked, and shopped some more. He invited me to his home for dinner.
On Sunday morning, Vimmi called wondering where I had been. They hadn’t heard from me all week and were beginning to worry. He said he was also feeling guilty that he had dropped me downtown and left me on my own to fend for myself. I told him I was having a wonderful time, but he insisted that he and his mother were going to Sun City, the gambling mecca in Bophutaswana, to see an entertainer by the name of Julio Iglesias. Julio was not yet known in the United States, so I had never heard of him, but I felt it would be fun to travel and see a bit more of the country. I packed up my bags and went off with Vim and Marty to see Julio’s show.
Marty had forgotten to fill up the gas tank in the car which caused us to run out of gas half way to our destination. So I called Jeff and he brought us some “petrol” for the car. Marty invited him to join us on our trip but he said he didn’t want to impose; after all, he had a business to run.
We were late arriving in Sun City and had missed most of the show. We made our way into the showroom in our traveling clothes, just in time to see Julio sing his last song. Marty was very upset. The tickets had cost her a lot of money and she had really wanted to see Julio’s show. Not knowing who he was and being from Las Vegas, I said I was sure that we’d be able to go backstage and meet him. So we marched up to Stage Door 4 where a group of ladies were screaming and jumping up and down. I walked right to the front of the crowd, with Marty in tow, presented Las Vegas modeling agency business card to the security guard, and said, “Please tell Julio that I’m here.” Before long the security guard came back with a gentleman who asked us to follow him.
Back stage, reporters from around the world waited to interview Julio, as waiters in black tails and white gloves served champagne and hors d’oeuvres. Needless to say, we were a bit underdressed in our traveling jeans and t-shirts. I even had a chocolate drip on the front on my shirt – the result of having eaten a candy bar in the car after it had melted in the sun. Julio entered the room with my card in his hand and said, “Judi, how nice of you to come.”
“This is my friend, Marty,” I said, “She so wanted to see your show but we ran out of gasoline and were late and missed all but the last song. Please will you autograph her program?”
He not only autographed the program, he took Marty’s face in his hands, kissed her on the cheeks, and sang her a song. She was blown away! He then greeted the press, thanked everyone for coming and when we finished our drinks, we said our goodbyes. Marty and I were like teenage girls as we went outside and sat on the patio, giggling, not believing that we had managed to get in backstage and that Julio actually sang to her and kissed her cheeks. She swore she would never wash her face again.
The following morning, we went out to sit by the pool and Julio was already there. He called to us, “Judi…Marty…come and say hello.” We were ecstatic. We spent the day swimming, parasailing, and waterskiing. We ran into some friends from Las Vegas who were now dancers in the production show at the Sun City Hotel. It was such a glorious day; it was incredibly beautiful there and we had such a wonderful time.
When I got back to my room, there was a message to call Jeff so I did. He asked if upon my return to Johannesburg, he could take me to out to a small town about 50 km outside of the city to meet his father, sister, and her family.
That, too, turned out to be a wonderful outing. His family members were all so nice and asked many questions about America and my life there. They served a wonderful meal and told me about their lives.
Vimmi then decided I should go to Cape Town to the beach for a few days with him and Marty. It was the most beautiful place I had ever seen. Vim and I laid on the beach in the sun and watched gorgeous people walk by; everyone was friendly and they all smiled at us. I was sure they were smiling because they somehow knew I was from America. Vimmi swore they were smiling at him. We enjoyed granadilla popsicles at the beach, ate out at the Greek restaurant on the corner down from Marty’s apartment, and drove around the Cape giving real baboons rides on the hood of the car around the downtown area. I was fascinated by how the baboons would wait on the side of the road for cars going out to the beach, jump on the car and ride one way; later, they’d jump on a car to ride back to the edge of the city. Imagine….hitchhiking baboons!
Jeff called every night and when we arrived back in Johannesburg once again, he was waiting for me. I only had two days left before I was to return home. We spent almost every waking second together…sightseeing, shopping, we even attended his son’s cricket game.
When the day came for me to return home, Jeff drove me to the airport to say goodbye. We stopped at a restaurant near the airport to have lunch. As we finished lunch, this wonderful, stylish, kind man with dark hair and dark eyes pulled out a small box and gave it to me. I opened it and discovered a beautiful, handmade gold ring set with a champagne diamond. Jeff smiled at me and said, “Come back to South Africa and be my wife.”
###
Editor’s Note: Jeff Hoffman died two months before they were to be married. Judi moved to South Africa anyway and remained there for 8 years.
Poem of Desire
Poem of Desire
Inner turmoil
Should I?
A gentle circling
Your fingers on my breast
We cannot progress
- Beyond this touch -
Suspended in this moment
Subtle acknowledgement
Desire awakened
We come together
Inevitably
We cannot hold back
Just this once
Attuned to each other’s rhythm
Being true to ourselves
So often we deny
The truth so long concealed
This must be the first time
And the last time
I can never have you
But I will always yearn for you
Mary Monaghan
Featured in the anthology ‘Writing the Self’
Poem of Desire
Poem of Desire
Inner turmoil
Should I?
A gentle circling
Your fingers on my breast
We cannot progress
- Beyond this touch -
Suspended in this moment
Subtle acknowledgement
Desire awakened
We come together
Inevitably
We cannot hold back
Just this once
Attuned to each other’s rhythm
Being true to ourselves
So often we deny
The truth so long concealed
This must be the first time
And the last time
I can never have you
But I will always yearn for you
Mary Monaghan
Featured in the anthology ‘Writing the Self’
Poem of desire
Poem of Desire
Inner turmoil
Should I?
A gentle circling
Your fingers on my breast
We cannot progress
- Beyond this touch -
Suspended in this moment
Subtle acknowledgement
Desire awakened
We come together
Inevitably
We cannot hold back
Just this once
Attuned to each other’s rhythm
Being true to ourselves
So often we deny
The truth so long concealed
This must be the first time
And the last time
I can never have you
But I will always yearn for you
Mary Monaghan
Featured in the anthology ‘Writing the Self’
Poem of Desire
Poem of Desire
Inner turmoil
Should I?
A gentle circling
Your fingers on my breast
We cannot progress
- Beyond this touch -
Suspended in this moment
Subtle acknowledgement
Desire awakened
We come together
Inevitably
We cannot hold back
Just this once
Attuned to each other’s rhythm
Being true to ourselves
So often we deny
The truth so long concealed
This must be the first time
And the last time
I can never have you
But I will always yearn for you
Mary Monaghan
Featured in the anthology ‘Writing the Self’
Poem of Desire
Inner turmoil
Should I?
A gentle circling
Your fingers on my breast
We cannot progress
- Beyond this touch -
Suspended in this moment
Subtle acknowledgement
Desire awakened
We come together
Inevitably
We cannot hold back
Just this once
Attuned to each other’s rhythm
Being true to ourselves
So often we deny
The truth so long concealed
This must be the first time
And the last time
I can never have you
But I will always yearn for you
Mary Monaghan
Featured in the anthology ‘Writing the Self’
Poem of Desire
Inner turmoil
Should I?
A gentle circling
Your fingers on my breast
We cannot progress
- Beyond this touch -
Suspended in this moment
Subtle acknowledgement
Desire awakened
We come together
Inevitably
We cannot hold back
Just this once
Attuned to each other’s rhythm
Being true to ourselves
So often we deny
The truth so long concealed
This must be the first time
And the last time
I can never have you
But I will always yearn for you
Mary Monaghan
Featured in the anthology ‘Writing the Self’
Poem of Desire
Inner turmoil
Should I?
A gentle circling
Your fingers on my breast
We cannot progress
- Beyond this touch -
Suspended in this moment
Subtle acknowledgement
Desire awakened
We come together
Inevitably
We cannot hold back
Just this once
Attuned to each other’s rhythm
Being true to ourselves
So often we deny
The truth so long concealed
This must be the first time
And the last time
I can never have you
But I will always yearn for you
Mary Monaghan
Featured in the anthology ‘Writing the Self’
Poem of Desire
Inner turmoil
Should I?
A gentle circling
Your fingers on my breast
We cannot progress
- Beyond this touch -
Suspended in this moment
Subtle acknowledgement
Desire awakened
We come together
Inevitably
We cannot hold back
Just this once
Attuned to each other’s rhythm
Being true to ourselves
So often we deny
The truth so long concealed
This must be the first time
And the last time
I can never have you
But I will always yearn for you
Mary Monaghan
Featured in the anthology ‘Writing the Self’
Poem of Desire
Inner turmoil
Should I?
A gentle circling
Your fingers on my breast
We cannot progress
- Beyond this touch -
Suspended in this moment
Subtle acknowledgement
Desire awakened
We come together
Inevitably
We cannot hold back
Just this once
Attuned to each other’s rhythm
Being true to ourselves
So often we deny
The truth so long concealed
This must be the first time
And the last time
I can never have you
But I will always yearn for you
Mary Monaghan
Featured in the anthology ‘Writing the Self’
My next book
My next book
I’ve just finished the first draft of my second book, it is now being reviewed by some readers and then the edit process begins. Working title at this stage is ‘Who do you beloiong to?’ it brings my story right up to date.
My next book
I’ve just finished the first draft of my second book, it is now being reviewed by some readers and then the edit process begins. Working title at this stage is ‘Who do you beloiong to?’ it brings my story right up to date.
My next book
I’ve just finished the first draft of my second book, it is now being reviewed by some readers and then the edit process begins. Working title at this stage is ‘Who do you beloiong to?’ it brings my story right up to date.
My next book
I’ve just finished the first draft of my second book, it is now being reviewed by some readers and then the edit process begins. Working title at this stage is ‘Who do you beloiong to?’ it brings my story right up to date.
Press
© Independant.ie
16 July 2007
‘I THOUGHT HE WAS A GHOST’
By Liam Horan and Anne-Marie Walsh
Fourteen years after Mary’s husband vanished, he catches her eye.
FOURTEEN years, hours of crying and one book after her husband walked out on her, Mary Monaghan never expected to see him again.
But the unbelievable happened when he caught her eye on the other side of the world last Saturday.
The stunned author spotted the man who had walked out on her in South Africa in 1993 sauntering down a street in Ballyshannon, Co Donegal.
Speaking last night she said she was speechless when she saw John, now aged 44, for the first time since he told her he was going on a backpacking holiday at the age of 29.
The couple had last seen each other when they were eight years married and living in Johannesburg.
Mary, whose parents came from Ballinrobe in Mayo, and John had met in an Irish club in Cricklewood in London and had emigrated to South Africa. Then one day he announced he was taking three months out to backpack in Australia.
But he never came back.
She managed to get a divorce in 1997 after notifications were advertised in Australian newspapers.
They had not set eyes on one another until last weekend when Mary was dropping copies of her book about her desperate search for the man she loved at a Donegal bookshop.
“It was almost like seeing a ghost. I was expecting to meet John’s aunt Elizabeth Coe, with whom I am in regular touch, but as I was walking towards her on the street, I saw this man getting out of another car, and realised it was John. I couldn’t believe it. “I didn’t say a lot initially – it was like a stunned silence – but his aunt was there and she said maybe we should have something to drink in the local hotel.
“He said he meant to come back to me but things got easier where he was and he was stressed out in Johannesburg. We were in a lot of debt.
“We planned to sell up and buy a smaller house but the banks took most of the money from the older one.
“We talked for over two hours. It was weird. John told me he was ashamed of what he had done. He has been living in Australia, but his relationship with the woman he was living with is over.
“John told me he hasn’t read the book yet, but intends to. He has heard quite a lot about it. He is in Donegal holidaying with his family before returning to Australia. I’m not sure if he was as surprised as I was. He may have heard on the grapevine that I would be in town. I think he felt guilty. We agreed to stay in touch.”
For years, all she got was a birthday card from her ex-husband, who said he planned to come home.
They had spoken just once since his disappearance. There was a phone call in 1998 when he apologised for what he did and explained he was stressed and wanted to start a new life.
Mary said she thinks he was just “burnt out” but there was the added complication that he had met another woman, who had moved in with him Down Under.
John had a child with the other woman, although they later split up.
Mary said she bears no ill will towards the other woman as she does not believe she knew she existed, and still insists that her relationship with John had been good.
Her tale of how she spent years trying to locate her missing husband created a stir when it was published in South Africa last year. ‘Remember Me?’ deals with the difficulties she experienced as she realised he was not returning. Despite the couple’s amicable meeting, they have no plans for a reunion . . .
- – - – - – - – - -
LexisNexis News
© Copyright 2007 MGN Ltd. All Rights Reserved
The Mirror, 3 July 2007
Eire Edition
HUSBAND MISSING FOR 14 YEARS BACK HOME;
AUTHOR WIFE REVEALS HER TORMENT AFTER SHOCK REUNION
By Liam Horan
A WANDERING Irishman who vanished without a trace 14 years ago has had an emotional reunion with his wife.
John Monaghan told his partner Mary he was just going on a three-month trip to Australia in 1993.
But she only set eyes on him for the first time last weekend in a shock reunion in Co Donegal.
The mystery surrounding John’s disappearance prompted Mary to write a book about her quest to find him called Remember Me? which was published a few weeks ago.
She said: “In 1993, we were looking forward to buying and renovating a new house together.
“But first John felt he needed some ‘time out’ before sorting out his business issues and he booked a three-month backpacking holiday in Australia. But he never came back.”
The couple were married for seven years and were living in Johannesburg, South Africa, before he went AWOL. Since his disappearance Mary, 50, discovered John had been involved with at least two other women before he walked out on her.
The book has been selling well in Ireland and has also caused a stir in South Africa where she still lives.
Mary, who was born in England to Co Mayo parents, was delivering copies of the book to a shop in Ballyshannon last Saturday when she met John.
She explained: “I was expecting to meet John’s aunt Elizabeth with whom I am in regular touch.
“But as I was walking towards her, I saw this man getting out of another car and realised it was John.
“We talked for over two hours. It was weird. John told me he was ashamed of what he had done.
“He has been living in Australia though his relationship with the woman he was living with there is now over.
“There was no rancour or bitterness between us, no confrontation.”
At the end of the meeting they shook hands and agreed to stay in touch.
Mary said John, who is in Donegal holidaying with his family before he returns to Australia, “has heard quite a lot about” the book.
Neither are in a current relationship but Mary isn’t keen on a reunion.
She added: “We could never get together again. Too much water has passed under the bridge.”
In her book, Mary tells how she traced John to Sydney with the help of Interpol and private detectives and did speak to him briefly on the phone in 1998.
When he answered Mary said: “Remember me? This is a voice from your past.”
But the line was disconnected before they could continue their conversation.
- – - – - – - – - -
News.com.au
14 July 2007
© Queensland Newspapers
COUPLE’S FREAK REUNION
By Fiona Hudson
FOR 14 years, South African resident Mary Monaghan hunted her vanished husband around the world, aided by private detectives and even Interpol.
A chance meeting on a trip to Ireland this month has finally flushed out her missing partner John and solved the mystery – he’s been living in Sydney and Queensland.
Mrs Monaghan, 50, was delivering copies of her recently published book Remember Me?, about her efforts to find her husband, when she spotted her former partner getting out of a car.
They had an emotional, two-hour reunion in a nearby pub, assisted by several glasses of wine to overcome their shock.
Industrial paint specialist John, 44, told his wife he was on holiday from Queensland to visit relatives in Ireland.
Irish-born Mrs Monaghan, 50, had arranged to meet John’s aunt for a drink that afternoon but the meeting with her estranged husband was entirely coincidental, she said.
“It was obviously meant to happen,” she said yesterday from South Africa.
“It’s bizarre that I was in Ireland because of the book, and that was the catalyst for bringing us back together when we live on opposite sides of the planet.
“I knew one day it was going to happen, that I would meet him. In the end it was quite emotional and upsetting, I wasn’t ready for it. It was quite difficult.”
Her book tells the story of the years spent looking for her missing husband.
John disappeared from their home in Johannesburg after telling his partner he was going on a three-month backpacking trip to Australia in 1993.
When his return flight arrived home without him, she spent thousands of dollars on private investigators.
She claims they tracked him, using credit card transaction records, to a love-nest he shared with another woman in Sydney in 1998.
She rang and had a brief phone conversation and managed to say, “Remember me? This is a voice from your past” before the line went dead.
Desperate for answers, she rang back but a woman answered. She did not hear her husband’s voice again until their Ireland meeting this month.
Her husband had heard of her self-published memoir via relatives.
“He said I’d been nice to him in the book,” she said. “He’s obviously heard about it through friends and family. It wasn’t written to be vindictive or to get revenge. I tried to be positive and forgiving.”
She didn’t bother to give him a copy.
Neither are in a relationship, but Mary considers a reunion unlikely.
“Too much has happened,” she said. “We will stay in contact I hope.”
Mrs Monaghan plans to one day visit Australia. She has several visas in her passport but has never used them.
“I was always ready to hop on a plane should he be found,” she said.
Mary
About Mary Monaghan
Mary Monaghan’s roots are in Ireland, born to parents from Ballinrobe, Co.Mayo, Ireland. She was educated at St. Mary’s Convent Cambridge and studied for a degree in languages at Westfield College, University of London.
She moved to South Africa in 1981, pursuing a career in Johannesburg before moving to Cape Town in 2000. She pursues varied interests both commercial and personal with a particular passion for making a difference in the HIV and Aids field and continues to write, learn new languages (Russian being the latest one!) and travel extensively. Her recent consulting work has taken her to Madagascar. |
 |
Reader Comments
“Excellent Read – I was told of Mary’s story by a mutual friend/acquaintence who gave me her book to read yesterday, needless to say I completed it wthin a few hours in between nursing my baby.
Astonishing is the callous and cowardice of her husband John who abandons her with heaps of debt.
Amazing is Mary’s courage love and patience and hope, which endures, but is wasted on John.”
“Mary, your story is such an inspiration ….”
“May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand” – Tanya
” ive just heard your story on radio scotland with kay adams and ive just ordered your book cant wait to read it.” – Ac
“Just finished your book. A Great Read.
What a Wally John is…..” - Siobhan M.
“You’re a Saint Mary! Thoroughly enjoyed your book and can’t wait for a follow-up book with some happy moments for you to share with us.”- Therese (australia)
“i loved your book. i kept reading and reading til i finished. really enjoyed it well done Mary. Cant wait for your next book” - Maggie
” you should had left much earlier.At least after
you should had left much earlier.After six months at the most….” – Sylvia A.
“I heard your interview last night (15/07/07) on BBC Radio 5, I think your attitude and what you have been through is a true inspiration. I am ordering your book now!” – Katie S.
“I heard your electric interview on Gerry Ryan. Truly captivating – you are obviously a great storyteller. What struck me most was your capacity for compassion and forgiveness – a complete willingness for understanding. It was inspiring. Take care and good luck.”
“What an amazing story – poignant and brave. A true story of survival against the odds – told with compassion and great intelligence. A very compelling read. My book of the year.” – Marian M.
“I enjoyed reading it, very interesting.
Well done !” – Bridie R.
“Loved the book, very interesting, Your an inspiring Lady” – Mary W.
“What a story! What a girl! What can one say but well done you’re a star.” – Judy B.
“Loved the book. I couldn’t put it down till I had finished it. Well done ! I am now waiting for the next book, don’t keep us waiting too long!” - Ann K.
“What an inspiring story.” – Andrea K.
Reader Comments
“Excellent Read – I was told of Mary’s story by a mutual friend/acquaintence who gave me her book to read yesterday, needless to say I completed it wthin a few hours in between nursing my baby.
Astonishing is the callous and cowardice of her husband John who abandons her with heaps of debt.
Amazing is Mary’s courage love and patience and hope, which endures, but is wasted on John.”
“Mary, your story is such an inspiration ….”
“May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand” – Tanya
” ive just heard your story on radio scotland with kay adams and ive just ordered your book cant wait to read it.” – Ac
“Just finished your book. A Great Read.
What a Wally John is…..” - Siobhan M.
“You’re a Saint Mary! Thoroughly enjoyed your book and can’t wait for a follow-up book with some happy moments for you to share with us.”- Therese (australia)
“i loved your book. i kept reading and reading til i finished. really enjoyed it well done Mary. Cant wait for your next book” - Maggie
” you should had left much earlier.At least after
you should had left much earlier.After six months at the most….” – Sylvia A.
“I heard your interview last night (15/07/07) on BBC Radio 5, I think your attitude and what you have been through is a true inspiration. I am ordering your book now!” – Katie S.
“I heard your electric interview on Gerry Ryan. Truly captivating – you are obviously a great storyteller. What struck me most was your capacity for compassion and forgiveness – a complete willingness for understanding. It was inspiring. Take care and good luck.”
“What an amazing story – poignant and brave. A true story of survival against the odds – told with compassion and great intelligence. A very compelling read. My book of the year.” – Marian M.
“I enjoyed reading it, very interesting.
Well done !” – Bridie R.
“Loved the book, very interesting, Your an inspiring Lady” – Mary W.
“What a story! What a girl! What can one say but well done you’re a star.” – Judy B.
“Loved the book. I couldn’t put it down till I had finished it. Well done ! I am now waiting for the next book, don’t keep us waiting too long!” - Ann K.
“What an inspiring story.” – Andrea K.
Reader Comments
Reader Comments
“Excellent Read – I was told of Mary’s story by a mutual friend/acquaintence who gave me her book to read yesterday, needless to say I completed it wthin a few hours in between nursing my baby.
Astonishing is the callous and cowardice of her husband John who abandons her with heaps of debt.
Amazing is Mary’s courage love and patience and hope, which endures, but is wasted on John.”
“Mary, your story is such an inspiration ….”
“May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand” – Tanya
” ive just heard your story on radio scotland with kay adams and ive just ordered your book cant wait to read it.” – Ac
“Just finished your book. A Great Read.
What a Wally John is…..” - Siobhan M.
“You’re a Saint Mary! Thoroughly enjoyed your book and can’t wait for a follow-up book with some happy moments for you to share with us.”- Therese (australia)
“i loved your book. i kept reading and reading til i finished. really enjoyed it well done Mary. Cant wait for your next book” - Maggie
” you should had left much earlier.At least after
you should had left much earlier.After six months at the most….” – Sylvia A.
“I heard your interview last night (15/07/07) on BBC Radio 5, I think your attitude and what you have been through is a true inspiration. I am ordering your book now!” – Katie S.
“I heard your electric interview on Gerry Ryan. Truly captivating – you are obviously a great storyteller. What struck me most was your capacity for compassion and forgiveness – a complete willingness for understanding. It was inspiring. Take care and good luck.”
“What an amazing story – poignant and brave. A true story of survival against the odds – told with compassion and great intelligence. A very compelling read. My book of the year.” – Marian M.
“I enjoyed reading it, very interesting.
Well done !” – Bridie R.
“Loved the book, very interesting, Your an inspiring Lady” – Mary W.
“What a story! What a girl! What can one say but well done you’re a star.” – Judy B.
“Loved the book. I couldn’t put it down till I had finished it. Well done ! I am now waiting for the next book, don’t keep us waiting too long!” - Ann K.
“What an inspiring story.” – Andrea K.
Reader Comments
Reader Comments
“Excellent Read – I was told of Mary’s story by a mutual friend/acquaintence who gave me her book to read yesterday, needless to say I completed it wthin a few hours imbetween nursing my baby.
Astonishing is the callous and cowardice of her husband John who abandons her with heaps of debt.
Amazing is Mary’s courage love and patience and hope, which endures, but is wasted on John.”
“Mary, your story is such an inspiration ….”
“May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand” – Tanya
” ive just heard your story on radio scotland with kay adams and ive just ordered your book cant wait to read it.” – Ac
“Just finished your book. A Great Read.
What a Wally John is…..” - Siobhan M.
“You’re a Saint Mary! Thoroughly enjoyed your book and can’t wait for a follow-up book with some happy moments for you to share with us.”- Therese (australia)
“i loved your book. i kept reading and reading til i finished. really enjoyed it well done Mary. Cant wait for your next book” - Maggie
” you should had left much earlier.At least after
you should had left much earlier.After six months at the most….” – Sylvia A.
“I heard your interview last night (15/07/07) on BBC Radio 5, I think your attitude and what you have been through is a true inspiration. I am ordering your book now!” – Katie S.
“I heard your electric interview on Gerry Ryan. Truly captivating – you are obviously a great storyteller. What struck me most was your capacity for compassion and forgiveness – a complete willingness for understanding. It was inspiring. Take care and good luck.”
“What an amazing story – poignant and brave. A true story of survival against the odds – told with compassion and great intelligence. A very compelling read. My book of the year.” – Marian M.
“I enjoyed reading it, very interesting.
Well done !” – Bridie R.
“Loved the book, very interesting, Your an inspiring Lady” – Mary W.
“What a story! What a girl! What can one say but well done you’re a star.” – Judy B.
“Loved the book. I couldn’t put it down till I had finished it. Well done ! I am now waiting for the next book, don’t keep us waiting too long!” - Ann K.
“What an inspiring story.” – Andrea K.
Reader Comments
Reader Comments
“Excellent Read – I was told of Mary’s story by a mutual friend/acquaintence who gave me her book to read yesterday, needless to say I completed it wthin a few hours imbetween nursing my baby.
Astonishing is the callous and cowardice of her husband John who abandons her with heaps of debt.
Amazing is Mary’s courage love and patience and hope, which endures, but is wasted on John.”
“Mary, your story is such an inspiration ….”
“May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand” – Tanya
” ive just heard your story on radio scotland with kay adams and ive just ordered your book cant wait to read it.” – Ac
“Just finished your book. A Great Read.
What a Wally John is…..” - Siobhan M.
“You’re a Saint Mary! Thoroughly enjoyed your book and can’t wait for a follow-up book with some happy moments for you to share with us.”- Therese (australia)
“i loved your book. i kept reading and reading til i finished. really enjoyed it well done Mary. Cant wait for your next book” - Maggie
” you should had left much earlier.At least after
you should had left much earlier.After six months at the most….” – Sylvia A.
“I heard your interview last night (15/07/07) on BBC Radio 5, I think your attitude and what you have been through is a true inspiration. I am ordering your book now!” – Katie S.
“I heard your electric interview on Gerry Ryan. Truly captivating – you are obviously a great storyteller. What struck me most was your capacity for compassion and forgiveness – a complete willingness for understanding. It was inspiring. Take care and good luck.”
“What an amazing story – poignant and brave. A true story of survival against the odds – told with compassion and great intelligence. A very compelling read. My book of the year.” – Marian M.
“I enjoyed reading it, very interesting.
Well done !” – Bridie R.
“Loved the book, very interesting, Your an inspiring Lady” – Mary W.
“What a story! What a girl! What can one say but well done you’re a star.” – Judy B.
“Loved the book. I couldn’t put it down till I had finished it. Well done ! I am now waiting for the next book, don’t keep us waiting too long!” - Ann K.
“What an inspiring story.” – Andrea K.
About the Book
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
Burdened by his requirement that she sell their home to purchase one in a rundown area and by the need to keep performing at work to meet his debts, she becomes angry, finally, that while she is struggling to exist, he continues to run up entertainment charges on his Diners Card, her only means of knowing his whereabouts. But her anger is mixed with anxiety about his safety: she believes in him and his love for her. Supported by her faith, her Irish family, loyal friends – male and female – and by colleagues, she is able slowly, painfully, to move on to a new career and a new home. Not until she has discovered the answers to her questions, however, can the person she has become settle into her new life.
This deeply moving, candidly recounted story will resonate in the lives of readers, acting as encouragement to move beyond the circumstances of their own misfortune.
Download 1st chapter here (pdf)
Download poem here (pdf)
Remember me?
Remember me?
I am your wife
Creating your home
Cooking your meals
Washing your clothes
Unfulfilled, dependant
And stifled, stifled
Remember me? I am
your wife Your
deserted wife
Waiting, longing
Weeping, hoping
Your vulnerable
wife Your needy
wife
Remember me? No
longer your wife
Creating my home
Feeding my spirit
Living my dream
Fulfilled and independent
And alive, alive
I am the woman
You never knew
Free, strong and passionate
I am the woman
You never knew
Remember me?
Mary
About Mary Monaghan
Mary Monaghan’s roots are in Ireland, born to parents from Ballinrobe, Co.Mayo, Ireland. She was educated at St. Mary’s Convent Cambridge and studied for a degree in languages at Westfield College, University of London.
She moved to South Africa in 1981, pursuing a career in Johannesburg before moving to Cape Town in 2000. She currently divides her time between her beach cottage facing the sea in Grotto Bay and Cape Town. She pursues varied interests both commercial and personal with a particular passion for making a difference in the HIV and Aids field and continues to write, learn new languages and travel extensively. |
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Mary
About Mary Monaghan
Mary Monaghan’s roots are in Ireland, born to parents from Ballinrobe, Co.Mayo, Ireland. She was educated at St. Mary’s Convent Cambridge and studied for a degree in languages at Westfield College, University of London.
She moved to South Africa in 1981, pursuing a career in Johannesburg before moving to Cape Town in 2000. She currently divides her time between her beach cottage facing the sea in Grotto Bay and Cape Town. She pursues varied interests both commercial and personal with a particular passion for making a difference in the HIV and Aids field and continues to write, learn new languages and travel extensively. |
|
Mary
About Mary Monaghan
Mary Monaghan’s roots are in Ireland, born to parents from Ballinrobe, Co.Mayo, Ireland. She was educated at St. Mary’s Convent Cambridge and studied for a degree in languages at Westfield College, University of London.
She moved to South Africa in 1981, pursuing a career in Johannesburg before moving to Cape Town in 2000. She currently divides her time between her beach cottage facing the sea in Grotto Bay and Cape Town. She pursues varied interests both commercial and personal with a particular passion for making a difference in the HIV and Aids field and continues to write, learn new languages and travel extensively. |
|
Mary
About Mary Monaghan
Mary Monaghan’s roots are in Ireland, born to parents from Ballinrobe, Co.Mayo, Ireland. She was educated at St. Mary’s Convent Cambridge and studied for a degree in languages at Westfield College, University of London.
She moved to South Africa in 1981, pursuing a career in Johannesburg before moving to Cape Town in 2000. She currently divides her time between her beach cottage facing the sea in Grotto Bay and Cape Town. She pursues varied interests both commercial and personal with a particular passion for making a difference in the HIV and Aids field and continues to write, learn new languages and travel extensively. |
|
mary
Contact Me
Postal Address:
PO BOX 163
Melkbosstrand
7437
South Africa
E-mail:
marymonaghan@telkomsa.net
Cell:
+27 (0) 83 625 9470
Contact Me
Postal Address:
PO BOX 163
Melkbosstrand
7437
South Africa
E-mail:
marymonaghan@telkomsa.net
Cell:
+27 (0) 83 625 9470
Contact Me
Postal Address:
PO BOX 163
Melkbosstrand
7437
South Africa
E-mail:
marymonaghan@telkomsa.net
Cell:
+27 (0) 83 625 9470
Contact Me
Postal Address:
PO BOX 163
Melkbosstrand
7437
South Africa
E-mail:
marymonaghan@telkomsa.net
Cell:
+27 (0) 83 625 9470
Contact
Contact Me
Postal Address:
PO BOX 163
Melkbosstrand
7437
South Africa
E-mail:
marymonaghan@telkomsa.net
Cell:
+27 (0) 83 625 9470
Contact
Contact Me
Postal Address:
PO BOX 163
Melkbosstrand
7437
South Africa
E-mail:
marymonaghan@telkomsa.net
Cell:
+27 (0) 83 625 9470
Contact
Contact
Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
| Suggested retail price : €11-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Stephan Phillips (Pty) Ltd.
Tel: 021 448 9839
info@stephanphillips.com
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net |
|
Order Direct
Please indicate the amount of copies and click “Add to Cart”
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Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
| Suggested retail price : €11-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Stephan Phillips (Pty) Ltd.
Tel: 021 448 9839
info@stephanphillips.com
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net |
|
Order Direct
Please indicate the amount of copies and click “Add to Cart”
Online Currency Converter
Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
| Suggested retail price : €11-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Stephan Phillips (Pty) Ltd.
Tel: 021 448 9839
info@stephanphillips.com
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net |
|
Order Direct
Please indicate the amount of copies and click “Add to Cart”
Online Currency Converter
Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
| Suggested retail price : €11-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Stephan Phillips (Pty) Ltd.
Tel: 021 448 9839
info@stephanphillips.com
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net |
|
Order Direct
Please indicate the amount of copies and click “Add to Cart”
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Live Interviews
Download live interviews with Mary
• Kaye Adams: BBC Radio Scotland (11.4mb) (m4a)
• Tommy Marren: Midwest Radio
part 1 (904 kb) | part 2 (738 kb) (mp3) | part 3 (338 kb)
• Gerry Ryan: RTE Radio
part 1 (1.58 MB) | part 2 (353 kb) (mp3)
• Stephen Nolan: BBC Radio 5
part 1 (832 kb) | part 2 (1.47 MB) (mp3)
• The Power Within: SABC TV
part 1 (2 MB) | part 2 (2.62 MB)
• Morning Live: SABC TV
part 1 (1.62 MB) | part 2 (1.9 MB) (wmv)
• Kate Turkington: Radio 702 (2.5 MB) (mp3)
Live Interviews
Download live interviews with Mary
• Tommy Marren: Midwest Radio
part 1 (904 kb) | part 2 (738 kb) (mp3) | part 3 (338 kb)
• Gerry Ryan: RTE Radio
part 1 (1.58 MB) | part 2 (353 kb) (mp3)
• Stephen Nolan: BBC Radio 5
part 1 (832 kb) | part 2 (1.47 MB) (mp3)
• The Power Within: SABC TV
part 1 (2 MB) | part 2 (2.62 MB)
• Morning Live: SABC TV
part 1 (1.62 MB) | part 2 (1.9 MB) (wmv)
• Kate Turkington: Radio 702 (2.5 MB) (mp3)
• Kaye Adams: BBC Radio Scotland (11.4mb) (m4a)
About the Book
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
Burdened by his requirement that she sell their home to purchase one in a rundown area and by the need to keep performing at work to meet his debts, she becomes angry, finally, that while she is struggling to exist, he continues to run up entertainment charges on his Diners Card, her only means of knowing his whereabouts. But her anger is mixed with anxiety about his safety: she believes in him and his love for her. Supported by her faith, her Irish family, loyal friends – male and female – and by colleagues, she is able slowly, painfully, to move on to a new career and a new home. Not until she has discovered the answers to her questions, however, can the person she has become settle into her new life.
This deeply moving, candidly recounted story will resonate in the lives of readers, acting as encouragement to move beyond the circumstances of their own misfortune.
Download 1st chapter here (pdf)
Download poem here (pdf)
Reader Comments
“Excellent Read – I was told of Mary’s story by a mutual friend/acquaintence who gave me her book to read yesterday, needless to say I completed it wthin a few hours imbetween nursing my baby.
Astonishing is the callous and cowardice of her husband John who abandons her with heaps of debt.
Amazing is Mary’s courage love and patience and hope, which endures, but is wasted on John.”
“Mary, your story is such an inspiration ….”
“May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand” – Tanya
” ive just heard your story on radio scotland with kay adams and ive just ordered your book cant wait to read it.” – Ac
“Just finished your book. A Great Read.
What a Wally John is…..” - Siobhan M.
“You’re a Saint Mary! Thoroughly enjoyed your book and can’t wait for a follow-up book with some happy moments for you to share with us.”- Therese (australia)
“i loved your book. i kept reading and reading til i finished. really enjoyed it well done Mary. Cant wait for your next book” - Maggie
” you should had left much earlier.At least after
you should had left much earlier.After six months at the most….” – Sylvia A.
“I heard your interview last night (15/07/07) on BBC Radio 5, I think your attitude and what you have been through is a true inspiration. I am ordering your book now!” – Katie S.
“I heard your electric interview on Gerry Ryan. Truly captivating – you are obviously a great storyteller. What struck me most was your capacity for compassion and forgiveness – a complete willingness for understanding. It was inspiring. Take care and good luck.”
“What an amazing story – poignant and brave. A true story of survival against the odds – told with compassion and great intelligence. A very compelling read. My book of the year.” – Marian M.
“I enjoyed reading it, very interesting.
Well done !” – Bridie R.
“Loved the book, very interesting, Your an inspiring Lady” – Mary W.
“What a story! What a girl! What can one say but well done you’re a star.” – Judy B.
“Loved the book. I couldn’t put it down till I had finished it. Well done ! I am now waiting for the next book, don’t keep us waiting too long!” - Ann K.
“What an inspiring story.” – Andrea K.
About the Book
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
Burdened by his requirement that she sell their home to purchase one in a rundown area and by the need to keep performing at work to meet his debts, she becomes angry, finally, that while she is struggling to exist, he continues to run up entertainment charges on his Diners Card, her only means of knowing his whereabouts. But her anger is mixed with anxiety about his safety: she believes in him and his love for her. Supported by her faith, her Irish family, loyal friends – male and female – and by colleagues, she is able slowly, painfully, to move on to a new career and a new home. Not until she has discovered the answers to her questions, however, can the person she has become settle into her new life.
This deeply moving, candidly recounted story will resonate in the lives of readers, acting as encouragement to move beyond the circumstances of their own misfortune.
Download poem here (pdf)
Reader Comments
“Excellent Read – I was told of Mary’s story by a mutual friend/acquaintence who gave me her book to read yesterday, needless to say I completed it wthin a few hours imbetween nursing my baby.
Astonishing is the callous and cowardice of her husband John who abandons her with heaps of debt.
Amazing is Mary’s courage love and patience and hope, which endures, but is wasted on John.”
“Mary, your story is such an inspiration ….”
“May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand” – Tanya
” ive just heard your story on radio scotland with kay adams and ive just ordered your book cant wait to read it.” – Ac
“Just finished your book. A Great Read.
What a Wally John is…..” - Siobhan M.
“You’re a Saint Mary! Thoroughly enjoyed your book and can’t wait for a follow-up book with some happy moments for you to share with us.”- Therese (australia)
“i loved your book. i kept reading and reading til i finished. really enjoyed it well done Mary. Cant wait for your next book” - Maggie
” you should had left much earlier.At least after
you should had left much earlier.After six months at the most….” – Sylvia A.
“I heard your interview last night (15/07/07) on BBC Radio 5, I think your attitude and what you have been through is a true inspiration. I am ordering your book now!” – Katie S.
“I heard your electric interview on Gerry Ryan. Truly captivating – you are obviously a great storyteller. What struck me most was your capacity for compassion and forgiveness – a complete willingness for understanding. It was inspiring. Take care and good luck.”
“What an amazing story – poignant and brave. A true story of survival against the odds – told with compassion and great intelligence. A very compelling read. My book of the year.” – Marian M.
“I enjoyed reading it, very interesting.
Well done !” – Bridie R.
“Loved the book, very interesting, Your an inspiring Lady” – Mary W.
“What a story! What a girl! What can one say but well done you’re a star.” – Judy B.
“Loved the book. I couldn’t put it down till I had finished it. Well done ! I am now waiting for the next book, don’t keep us waiting too long!” - Ann K.
“What an inspiring story.” – Andrea K.
About the Book
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
Burdened by his requirement that she sell their home to purchase one in a rundown area and by the need to keep performing at work to meet his debts, she becomes angry, finally, that while she is struggling to exist, he continues to run up entertainment charges on his Diners Card, her only means of knowing his whereabouts. But her anger is mixed with anxiety about his safety: she believes in him and his love for her. Supported by her faith, her Irish family, loyal friends – male and female – and by colleagues, she is able slowly, painfully, to move on to a new career and a new home. Not until she has discovered the answers to her questions, however, can the person she has become settle into her new life.
This deeply moving, candidly recounted story will resonate in the lives of readers, acting as encouragement to move beyond the circumstances of their own misfortune.
Download poem here (pdf)
Reader Comments
“Excellent Read – I was told of Mary’s story by a mutual friend/acquaintence who gave me her book to read yesterday, needless to say I completed it wthin a few hours imbetween nursing my baby.
Astonishing is the callous and cowardice of her husband John who abandons her with heaps of debt.
Amazing is Mary’s courage love and patience and hope, which endures, but is wasted on John.”
“Mary, your story is such an inspiration ….”
“May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand” – Tanya
” ive just heard your story on radio scotland with kay adams and ive just ordered your book cant wait to read it.” – Ac
“Just finished your book. A Great Read.
What a Wally John is…..” - Siobhan M.
“You’re a Saint Mary! Thoroughly enjoyed your book and can’t wait for a follow-up book with some happy moments for you to share with us.”- Therese (australia)
“i loved your book. i kept reading and reading til i finished. really enjoyed it well done Mary. Cant wait for your next book” - Maggie
” you should had left much earlier.At least after
you should had left much earlier.After six months at the most….” – Sylvia A.
“I heard your interview last night (15/07/07) on BBC Radio 5, I think your attitude and what you have been through is a true inspiration. I am ordering your book now!” – Katie S.
“I heard your electric interview on Gerry Ryan. Truly captivating – you are obviously a great storyteller. What struck me most was your capacity for compassion and forgiveness – a complete willingness for understanding. It was inspiring. Take care and good luck.”
“What an amazing story – poignant and brave. A true story of survival against the odds – told with compassion and great intelligence. A very compelling read. My book of the year.” – Marian M.
“I enjoyed reading it, very interesting.
Well done !” – Bridie R.
“Loved the book, very interesting, Your an inspiring Lady” – Mary W.
“What a story! What a girl! What can one say but well done you’re a star.” – Judy B.
“Loved the book. I couldn’t put it down till I had finished it. Well done ! I am now waiting for the next book, don’t keep us waiting too long!” - Ann K.
“What an inspiring story.” – Andrea K.
Home
Home
Home
Remember me?
Remember me?
I am your wife
Creating your home
Cooking your meals
Washing your clothes
Unfulfilled, dependant
And stifled, stifled
Remember me? I am
your wife Your
deserted wife
Waiting, longing
Weeping, hoping
Your vulnerable
wife Your needy
wife
Remember me? No
longer your wife
Creating my home
Feeding my spirit
Living my dream
Fulfilled and independent
And alive, alive
I am the woman
You never knew
Free, strong and passionate
I am the woman
You never knew
Remember me?
Judy’s Story
Hi Mary
As promised I said I would email you when I had finished reading your book. As you have probably guessed I couldn’t put it down and read at every conceivable moment. What is it with the Irish? I could relate so much to your life’s story being married to a charming Irishman and knowing and having lived in all the places you mentioned. Just to quickly mention that I was his 3rd wife (met him 6 months after his divorce to number 2) and he is now on his fourth marriage and living in Wynberg. I can understand your persistence in trying to find him and I did the same. Once I had received closure I was happy to let go. It was easier for me as he appeared on a visitors list at Kelvin Grove and I was doing the registering with a friend. I told her I wouldn’t help her as I was really dead beat after the busy week. She said I think you would like to as your ex is on the list and there is only one ‘Barklie’ spelt the same as you in S.A. I hadn’t had contact with him for 10 years but at least I had been divorced from him. Anyway enough of me and I am sure you get a lot of people trying to relate their own experiences to you. You have been through so much you deserve to be happy. You know that they never forget and I am sure John’s conscience pricks him every day of his life. They live in an existence of pretending they are happy but that is never the case. I enjoyed reading your book and found it very inspiring. If anybody survived and did it with the utmost dignity – you have. Thank you for giving me a new lease to life and proving that there is hope and a life after John, in my case Adrian.
Best wishes and a pleasure meeting you.
Judy
Live Interviews
Download live interviews with Mary
• Tommy Marren: Midwest Radio
part 1 (904 kb) | part 2 (738 kb) (mp3) | part 3 (338 kb)
• Gerry Ryan: RTE Radio
part 1 (1.58 MB) | part 2 (353 kb) (mp3)
• Stephen Nolan: BBC Radio 5
part 1 (832 kb) | part 2 (1.47 MB) (mp3)
• The Power Within: SABC TV
part 1 (2 MB) | part 2 (2.62 MB)
• Morning Live: SABC TV
part 1 (1.62 MB) | part 2 (1.9 MB) (wmv)
• Kate Turkington: Radio 702 (2.5 MB) (mp3)
• Kaye Adams: BBC Radio Scotland (11.4mb) (m4a)
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midwest
Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
| Suggested retail price : €11-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Stephan Phillips (Pty) Ltd.
Tel: 021 448 9839
info@stephanphillips.com
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net |
|
Order Direct
Please indicate the amount of copies and click “Add to Cart”
Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
| Suggested retail price : €11-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Stephan Phillips (Pty) Ltd.
Tel: 021 448 9839
info@stephanphillips.com
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net |
|
Order Direct
Please indicate the amount of copies and click “Add to Cart”
Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
| Suggested retail price : €11-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Stephan Phillips (Pty) Ltd.
Tel: 021 448 9839
info@stephanphillips.com
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net |
|
Order Direct
Please indicate the amount of copies and click “Add to Cart”
Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
| Suggested retail price : €11-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Stephan Phillips (Pty) Ltd.
Tel: 021 448 9839
info@stephanphillips.com
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net |
|
Order Direct
Please indicate the amount of copies and click “Add to Cart”
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Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
| Suggested retail price : €11-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Stephan Phillips (Pty) Ltd.
Tel: 021 448 9839
info@stephanphillips.com
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net |
|
Order Direct
Please indicate the amount of copies and click “Add to Cart”
Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
| Suggested retail price : €11-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Stephan Phillips (Pty) Ltd.
Tel: 021 448 9839
info@stephanphillips.com
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net |
|
Order Direct
Please indicate the amount of copies and click “Add to Cart”
Shopping Cart
Your shopping cart is currently empty.
Live Interviews
Download live interviews with Mary
• Tommy Marren: Midwest Radio
part 1 (904 kb) | part 2 (738 kb) (mp3) | part 3 (338 kb)
• Gerry Ryan: RTE Radio
part 1 (1.58 MB) | part 2 (353 kb) (mp3)
• Stephen Nolan: BBC Radio 5
part 1 (832 kb) | part 2 (1.47 MB) (mp3)
• The Power Within: SABC TV
part 1 (2 MB) | part 2 (2.62 MB)
• Morning Live: SABC TV
part 1 (1.62 MB) | part 2 (1.9 MB) (wmv)
• Kate Turkington: Radio 702 (2.5 MB) (mp3)
• Kaye Adams: BBC Radio Scotland (11.4mb) (m4a)
Press
Download News clippings
© Independant.ie
16 July 2007
‘I THOUGHT HE WAS A GHOST’
By Liam Horan and Anne-Marie Walsh
Fourteen years after Mary’s husband vanished, he catches her eye.
FOURTEEN years, hours of crying and one book after her husband walked out on her, Mary Monaghan never expected to see him again.
But the unbelievable happened when he caught her eye on the other side of the world last Saturday.
The stunned author spotted the man who had walked out on her in South Africa in 1993 sauntering down a street in Ballyshannon, Co Donegal.
Speaking last night she said she was speechless when she saw John, now aged 44, for the first time since he told her he was going on a backpacking holiday at the age of 29.
The couple had last seen each other when they were eight years married and living in Johannesburg.
Mary, whose parents came from Ballinrobe in Mayo, and John had met in an Irish club in Cricklewood in London and had emigrated to South Africa. Then one day he announced he was taking three months out to backpack in Australia.
But he never came back.
She managed to get a divorce in 1997 after notifications were advertised in Australian newspapers.
They had not set eyes on one another until last weekend when Mary was dropping copies of her book about her desperate search for the man she loved at a Donegal bookshop.
“It was almost like seeing a ghost. I was expecting to meet John’s aunt Elizabeth Coe, with whom I am in regular touch, but as I was walking towards her on the street, I saw this man getting out of another car, and realised it was John. I couldn’t believe it. “I didn’t say a lot initially – it was like a stunned silence – but his aunt was there and she said maybe we should have something to drink in the local hotel.
“He said he meant to come back to me but things got easier where he was and he was stressed out in Johannesburg. We were in a lot of debt.
“We planned to sell up and buy a smaller house but the banks took most of the money from the older one.
“We talked for over two hours. It was weird. John told me he was ashamed of what he had done. He has been living in Australia, but his relationship with the woman he was living with is over.
“John told me he hasn’t read the book yet, but intends to. He has heard quite a lot about it. He is in Donegal holidaying with his family before returning to Australia. I’m not sure if he was as surprised as I was. He may have heard on the grapevine that I would be in town. I think he felt guilty. We agreed to stay in touch.”
For years, all she got was a birthday card from her ex-husband, who said he planned to come home.
They had spoken just once since his disappearance. There was a phone call in 1998 when he apologised for what he did and explained he was stressed and wanted to start a new life.
Mary said she thinks he was just “burnt out” but there was the added complication that he had met another woman, who had moved in with him Down Under.
John had a child with the other woman, although they later split up.
Mary said she bears no ill will towards the other woman as she does not believe she knew she existed, and still insists that her relationship with John had been good.
Her tale of how she spent years trying to locate her missing husband created a stir when it was published in South Africa last year. ‘Remember Me?’ deals with the difficulties she experienced as she realised he was not returning. Despite the couple’s amicable meeting, they have no plans for a reunion . . .
- – - – - – - – - -
LexisNexis News
© Copyright 2007 MGN Ltd. All Rights Reserved
The Mirror, 3 July 2007
Eire Edition
HUSBAND MISSING FOR 14 YEARS BACK HOME;
AUTHOR WIFE REVEALS HER TORMENT AFTER SHOCK REUNION
By Liam Horan
A WANDERING Irishman who vanished without a trace 14 years ago has had an emotional reunion with his wife.
John Monaghan told his partner Mary he was just going on a three-month trip to Australia in 1993.
But she only set eyes on him for the first time last weekend in a shock reunion in Co Donegal.
The mystery surrounding John’s disappearance prompted Mary to write a book about her quest to find him called Remember Me? which was published a few weeks ago.
She said: “In 1993, we were looking forward to buying and renovating a new house together.
“But first John felt he needed some ‘time out’ before sorting out his business issues and he booked a three-month backpacking holiday in Australia. But he never came back.”
The couple were married for seven years and were living in Johannesburg, South Africa, before he went AWOL. Since his disappearance Mary, 50, discovered John had been involved with at least two other women before he walked out on her.
The book has been selling well in Ireland and has also caused a stir in South Africa where she still lives.
Mary, who was born in England to Co Mayo parents, was delivering copies of the book to a shop in Ballyshannon last Saturday when she met John.
She explained: “I was expecting to meet John’s aunt Elizabeth with whom I am in regular touch.
“But as I was walking towards her, I saw this man getting out of another car and realised it was John.
“We talked for over two hours. It was weird. John told me he was ashamed of what he had done.
“He has been living in Australia though his relationship with the woman he was living with there is now over.
“There was no rancour or bitterness between us, no confrontation.”
At the end of the meeting they shook hands and agreed to stay in touch.
Mary said John, who is in Donegal holidaying with his family before he returns to Australia, “has heard quite a lot about” the book.
Neither are in a current relationship but Mary isn’t keen on a reunion.
She added: “We could never get together again. Too much water has passed under the bridge.”
In her book, Mary tells how she traced John to Sydney with the help of Interpol and private detectives and did speak to him briefly on the phone in 1998.
When he answered Mary said: “Remember me? This is a voice from your past.”
But the line was disconnected before they could continue their conversation.
- – - – - – - – - -
News.com.au
14 July 2007
© Queensland Newspapers
COUPLE’S FREAK REUNION
By Fiona Hudson
FOR 14 years, South African resident Mary Monaghan hunted her vanished husband around the world, aided by private detectives and even Interpol.
A chance meeting on a trip to Ireland this month has finally flushed out her missing partner John and solved the mystery – he’s been living in Sydney and Queensland.
Mrs Monaghan, 50, was delivering copies of her recently published book Remember Me?, about her efforts to find her husband, when she spotted her former partner getting out of a car.
They had an emotional, two-hour reunion in a nearby pub, assisted by several glasses of wine to overcome their shock.
Industrial paint specialist John, 44, told his wife he was on holiday from Queensland to visit relatives in Ireland.
Irish-born Mrs Monaghan, 50, had arranged to meet John’s aunt for a drink that afternoon but the meeting with her estranged husband was entirely coincidental, she said.
“It was obviously meant to happen,” she said yesterday from South Africa.
“It’s bizarre that I was in Ireland because of the book, and that was the catalyst for bringing us back together when we live on opposite sides of the planet.
“I knew one day it was going to happen, that I would meet him. In the end it was quite emotional and upsetting, I wasn’t ready for it. It was quite difficult.”
Her book tells the story of the years spent looking for her missing husband.
John disappeared from their home in Johannesburg after telling his partner he was going on a three-month backpacking trip to Australia in 1993.
When his return flight arrived home without him, she spent thousands of dollars on private investigators.
She claims they tracked him, using credit card transaction records, to a love-nest he shared with another woman in Sydney in 1998.
She rang and had a brief phone conversation and managed to say, “Remember me? This is a voice from your past” before the line went dead.
Desperate for answers, she rang back but a woman answered. She did not hear her husband’s voice again until their Ireland meeting this month.
Her husband had heard of her self-published memoir via relatives.
“He said I’d been nice to him in the book,” she said. “He’s obviously heard about it through friends and family. It wasn’t written to be vindictive or to get revenge. I tried to be positive and forgiving.”
She didn’t bother to give him a copy.
Neither are in a relationship, but Mary considers a reunion unlikely.
“Too much has happened,” she said. “We will stay in contact I hope.”
Mrs Monaghan plans to one day visit Australia. She has several visas in her passport but has never used them.
“I was always ready to hop on a plane should he be found,” she said.
Press
Download News clippings
© Independant.ie
16 July 2007
‘I THOUGHT HE WAS A GHOST’
By Liam Horan and Anne-Marie Walsh
Fourteen years after Mary’s husband vanished, he catches her eye.
FOURTEEN years, hours of crying and one book after her husband walked out on her, Mary Monaghan never expected to see him again.
But the unbelievable happened when he caught her eye on the other side of the world last Saturday.
The stunned author spotted the man who had walked out on her in South Africa in 1993 sauntering down a street in Ballyshannon, Co Donegal.
Speaking last night she said she was speechless when she saw John, now aged 44, for the first time since he told her he was going on a backpacking holiday at the age of 29.
The couple had last seen each other when they were eight years married and living in Johannesburg.
Mary, whose parents came from Ballinrobe in Mayo, and John had met in an Irish club in Cricklewood in London and had emigrated to South Africa. Then one day he announced he was taking three months out to backpack in Australia.
But he never came back.
She managed to get a divorce in 1997 after notifications were advertised in Australian newspapers.
They had not set eyes on one another until last weekend when Mary was dropping copies of her book about her desperate search for the man she loved at a Donegal bookshop.
“It was almost like seeing a ghost. I was expecting to meet John’s aunt Elizabeth Coe, with whom I am in regular touch, but as I was walking towards her on the street, I saw this man getting out of another car, and realised it was John. I couldn’t believe it. “I didn’t say a lot initially – it was like a stunned silence – but his aunt was there and she said maybe we should have something to drink in the local hotel.
“He said he meant to come back to me but things got easier where he was and he was stressed out in Johannesburg. We were in a lot of debt.
“We planned to sell up and buy a smaller house but the banks took most of the money from the older one.
“We talked for over two hours. It was weird. John told me he was ashamed of what he had done. He has been living in Australia, but his relationship with the woman he was living with is over.
“John told me he hasn’t read the book yet, but intends to. He has heard quite a lot about it. He is in Donegal holidaying with his family before returning to Australia. I’m not sure if he was as surprised as I was. He may have heard on the grapevine that I would be in town. I think he felt guilty. We agreed to stay in touch.”
For years, all she got was a birthday card from her ex-husband, who said he planned to come home.
They had spoken just once since his disappearance. There was a phone call in 1998 when he apologised for what he did and explained he was stressed and wanted to start a new life.
Mary said she thinks he was just “burnt out” but there was the added complication that he had met another woman, who had moved in with him Down Under.
John had a child with the other woman, although they later split up.
Mary said she bears no ill will towards the other woman as she does not believe she knew she existed, and still insists that her relationship with John had been good.
Her tale of how she spent years trying to locate her missing husband created a stir when it was published in South Africa last year. ‘Remember Me?’ deals with the difficulties she experienced as she realised he was not returning. Despite the couple’s amicable meeting, they have no plans for a reunion . . .
- – - – - – - – - -
LexisNexis News
© Copyright 2007 MGN Ltd. All Rights Reserved
The Mirror, 3 July 2007
Eire Edition
HUSBAND MISSING FOR 14 YEARS BACK HOME;
AUTHOR WIFE REVEALS HER TORMENT AFTER SHOCK REUNION
By Liam Horan
A WANDERING Irishman who vanished without a trace 14 years ago has had an emotional reunion with his wife.
John Monaghan told his partner Mary he was just going on a three-month trip to Australia in 1993.
But she only set eyes on him for the first time last weekend in a shock reunion in Co Donegal.
The mystery surrounding John’s disappearance prompted Mary to write a book about her quest to find him called Remember Me? which was published a few weeks ago.
She said: “In 1993, we were looking forward to buying and renovating a new house together.
“But first John felt he needed some ‘time out’ before sorting out his business issues and he booked a three-month backpacking holiday in Australia. But he never came back.”
The couple were married for seven years and were living in Johannesburg, South Africa, before he went AWOL. Since his disappearance Mary, 50, discovered John had been involved with at least two other women before he walked out on her.
The book has been selling well in Ireland and has also caused a stir in South Africa where she still lives.
Mary, who was born in England to Co Mayo parents, was delivering copies of the book to a shop in Ballyshannon last Saturday when she met John.
She explained: “I was expecting to meet John’s aunt Elizabeth with whom I am in regular touch.
“But as I was walking towards her, I saw this man getting out of another car and realised it was John.
“We talked for over two hours. It was weird. John told me he was ashamed of what he had done.
“He has been living in Australia though his relationship with the woman he was living with there is now over.
“There was no rancour or bitterness between us, no confrontation.”
At the end of the meeting they shook hands and agreed to stay in touch.
Mary said John, who is in Donegal holidaying with his family before he returns to Australia, “has heard quite a lot about” the book.
Neither are in a current relationship but Mary isn’t keen on a reunion.
She added: “We could never get together again. Too much water has passed under the bridge.”
In her book, Mary tells how she traced John to Sydney with the help of Interpol and private detectives and did speak to him briefly on the phone in 1998.
When he answered Mary said: “Remember me? This is a voice from your past.”
But the line was disconnected before they could continue their conversation.
- – - – - – - – - -
News.com.au
14 July 2007
© Queensland Newspapers
COUPLE’S FREAK REUNION
By Fiona Hudson
FOR 14 years, South African resident Mary Monaghan hunted her vanished husband around the world, aided by private detectives and even Interpol.
A chance meeting on a trip to Ireland this month has finally flushed out her missing partner John and solved the mystery – he’s been living in Sydney and Queensland.
Mrs Monaghan, 50, was delivering copies of her recently published book Remember Me?, about her efforts to find her husband, when she spotted her former partner getting out of a car.
They had an emotional, two-hour reunion in a nearby pub, assisted by several glasses of wine to overcome their shock.
Industrial paint specialist John, 44, told his wife he was on holiday from Queensland to visit relatives in Ireland.
Irish-born Mrs Monaghan, 50, had arranged to meet John’s aunt for a drink that afternoon but the meeting with her estranged husband was entirely coincidental, she said.
“It was obviously meant to happen,” she said yesterday from South Africa.
“It’s bizarre that I was in Ireland because of the book, and that was the catalyst for bringing us back together when we live on opposite sides of the planet.
“I knew one day it was going to happen, that I would meet him. In the end it was quite emotional and upsetting, I wasn’t ready for it. It was quite difficult.”
Her book tells the story of the years spent looking for her missing husband.
John disappeared from their home in Johannesburg after telling his partner he was going on a three-month backpacking trip to Australia in 1993.
When his return flight arrived home without him, she spent thousands of dollars on private investigators.
She claims they tracked him, using credit card transaction records, to a love-nest he shared with another woman in Sydney in 1998.
She rang and had a brief phone conversation and managed to say, “Remember me? This is a voice from your past” before the line went dead.
Desperate for answers, she rang back but a woman answered. She did not hear her husband’s voice again until their Ireland meeting this month.
Her husband had heard of her self-published memoir via relatives.
“He said I’d been nice to him in the book,” she said. “He’s obviously heard about it through friends and family. It wasn’t written to be vindictive or to get revenge. I tried to be positive and forgiving.”
She didn’t bother to give him a copy.
Neither are in a relationship, but Mary considers a reunion unlikely.
“Too much has happened,” she said. “We will stay in contact I hope.”
Mrs Monaghan plans to one day visit Australia. She has several visas in her passport but has never used them.
“I was always ready to hop on a plane should he be found,” she said.
Judy’s Story
Hi Mary
As promised I said I would email you when I had finished reading your book. As you have probably guessed I couldn’t put it down and read at every conceivable moment. What is it with the Irish? I could relate so much to your life’s story being married to a charming Irishman and knowing and having lived in all the places you mentioned. Just to quickly mention that I was his 3rd wife (met him 6 months after his divorce to number 2) and he is now on his fourth marriage and living in Wynberg. I can understand your persistence in trying to find him and I did the same. Once I had received closure I was happy to let go. It was easier for me as he appeared on a visitors list at Kelvin Grove and I was doing the registering with a friend. I told her I wouldn’t help her as I was really dead beat after the busy week. She said I think you would like to as your ex is on the list and there is only one ‘Barklie’ spelt the same as you in S.A. I hadn’t had contact with him for 10 years but at least I had been divorced from him. Anyway enough of me and I am sure you get a lot of people trying to relate their own experiences to you. You have been through so much you deserve to be happy. You know that they never forget and I am sure John’s conscience pricks him every day of his life. They live in an existence of pretending they are happy but that is never the case. I enjoyed reading your book and found it very inspiring. If anybody survived and did it with the utmost dignity – you have. Thank you for giving me a new lease to life and proving that there is hope and a life after John, in my case Adrian.
Best wishes and a pleasure meeting you.
Judy
Judy’s Story
Hi Mary
As promised I said I would email you when I had finished reading your book. As you have probably guessed I couldn’t put it down and read at every conceivable moment. What is it with the Irish? I could relate so much to your life’s story being married to a charming Irishman and knowing and having lived in all the places you mentioned. Just to quickly mention that I was his 3rd wife (met him 6 months after his divorce to number 2) and he is now on his fourth marriage and living in Wynberg. I can understand your persistence in trying to find him and I did the same. Once I had received closure I was happy to let go. It was easier for me as he appeared on a visitors list at Kelvin Grove and I was doing the registering with a friend. I told her I wouldn’t help her as I was really dead beat after the busy week. She said I think you would like to as your ex is on the list and there is only one ‘Barklie’ spelt the same as you in S.A. I hadn’t had contact with him for 10 years but at least I had been divorced from him. Anyway enough of me and I am sure you get a lot of people trying to relate their own experiences to you. You have been through so much you deserve to be happy. You know that they never forget and I am sure John’s conscience pricks him every day of his life. They live in an existence of pretending they are happy but that is never the case. Maybe one day we could exchange experiences over a bottle of wine. I don’t want to be a nuisance though so when you are not too busy please give me a call if you feel like it. I enjoyed reading your book and found it very inspiring. If anybody survived and did it with the utmost dignity – you have. Thank you for giving me a new lease to life and proving that there is hope and a life after John, in my case Adrian.
Looking forward to the launch of your book – please let me know.
Best wishes and a pleasure meeting you.
Judy
Judy’s Story
Chicca’s Story
Dear Mary Monaghan,
I am an Italian girl who now lives back home in Genova, Italy, but who lived in Ireland for a few years from 1993 to 1996. Last night I listened to the Gerry Adams programme on the Internet and I was shocked to hear your story, which I also recorded. I immediately asked a friend who’s now in England to buy me your book.
I swear I was in tears when I heard it as unfortunately I had a similar one with my ex-Irish boyfriend I was almost engaged with for almost 5 years, from 1993 to 1997. He disappeared on me when I was in Italy and he was in Ireland. On Easter 1997 he said to me “I’ll call you Wednesday, I love you” and never heard from him for two years. Months later his father told me he had gone to live with another woman. Two years later, when I managed to speak to him again, he told me he had just had a child from her. I was devasted looking for him first and finding out what he had done then.
What’s worse, he rang me again this year (after 9 years!) to say he was so sorry and he wanted to go back as he loved me and he had left the girlfriend as he hated her. Well, after two months of emails he had been sending me, I rang his parents’s house and his mother told me he was still living with that girs as he was married!!
What’s wrong with these guys?? I think Gerry is right, they have psychiatric problems!
“Sing me a love song, drop me a line, suppose it’s just a point of view” sings Robbie Williams in No Regrets.
I can’t wait to read your book and thank you for telling your story and writing about it. I could never do anything to retaliate against that guy, but yesterday I thought that speaking about it on the Irish radio would just be the thing to do as we didn’t deserve all this!
I hope your path of love is now going smoothly for you and that you have some nice male company. I never really recovered from what happened as I have totally lost trust in men.
Best of luck with your book!
Chicca
Screenplay update
Many readers of my book suggested that my story would make a great film so I have now adapted it into a screenplay and I am really happy with how it has turned out. Now all that remains is to find an agent/producer and then we’ll see it on the big/small screen.
Stay Tuned for updates!
Screenplay update
Many readers of my book suggested that my story would make a great film so I have now adapted it into a screenplay and I am really happy with how it has turned out. Now all that remains is to find an agent/producer and then we’ll see it on the big/small screen.
Stay Tuned for updates!
Screenplay update
Many readers of my book suggested that my story would make a great film so I have now adapted it into a screenplay and I am really happy with how it has turned out. Now all that remains is to find an agent/producer and then we’ll see it on the big/small screen.
Stay Tuned for updates!
Screenplay update
Many readers of my book suggested that my story would make a great film so I have now adapted it into a screenplay and I am really happy with how it has turned out. Now all that remains is to find an agent/producer and then we’ll see it on the big/small screen.
Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
| Suggested retail price : €11-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Stephan Phillips (Pty) Ltd.
Tel: 021 448 9839
info@stephanphillips.com
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net |
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Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
| Suggested retail price : €11-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Stephan Phillips (Pty) Ltd.
Tel: 021 448 9839
info@stephanphillips.com
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net |
|
Order Direct
Please indicate the amount of copies and click “Add to Cart”
Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
| Suggested retail price : €11-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Stephan Phillips (Pty) Ltd.
Tel: 021 448 9839
info@stephanphillips.com
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net |
|
Order Direct
Please indicate the amount od copies and click “Add to Cart”
Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
| Suggested retail price : €11-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Stephan Phillips (Pty) Ltd.
Tel: 021 448 9839
info@stephanphillips.com
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net |
|
Order Direct
Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
|
Suggested retail price : €11-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Stephan Phillips (Pty) Ltd.
Tel: 021 448 9839
info@stephanphillips.com
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net |
|
Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
|
Suggested retail price : €11-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Stephan Phillips (Pty) Ltd.
Tel: 021 448 9839
info@stephanphillips.com
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net |
|
Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
|
Suggested retail price : €11-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Stephan Phillips (Pty) Ltd.
Tel: 021 448 9839
info@stephanphillips.com
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net |
|
Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
Suggested retail price : €11-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Stephan Phillips (Pty) Ltd.
Tel: 021 448 9839
info@stephanphillips.com
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net |
|
Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
| Suggested retail price : €11-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Stephan Phillips (Pty) Ltd.
Tel: 021 448 9839
info@stephanphillips.com
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net |
|
Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
| Suggested retail price : €11-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Stephan Phillips (Pty) Ltd.
Tel: 021 448 9839
info@stephanphillips.com
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net |
|
Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
Suggested retail price : €11-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Stephan Phillips (Pty) Ltd.
Tel: 021 448 9839
info@stephanphillips.com
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net |
|
Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
Suggested retail price : €11-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Stephan Phillips (Pty) Ltd.
Tel: 021 448 9839
info@stephanphillips.com
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
bookpreview1
Live Interviews
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• Tommy Marren: Midwest Radio
part 1 (904 kb) | part 2 (738 kb) (mp3) | part 3 (338 kb)
• Gerry Ryan: RTE Radio
part 1 (1.58 MB) | part 2 (353 kb) (mp3)
• Stephen Nolan: BBC Radio 5
part 1 (832 kb) | part 2 (1.47 MB) (mp3)
• The Power Within: SABC TV
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• Morning Live: SABC TV
part 1 (1.62 MB) | part 2 (1.9 MB) (wmv)
• Kate Turkington: Radio 702 (2.5 MB) (mp3)
Live Interviews
Download live interviews with Mary
• Tommy Marren: Midwest Radio
part 1 (904 kb) | part 2 (738 kb) (mp3) | part 3 (338 kb)
• Gerry Ryan: RTE Radio
part 1 (1.58 MB) | part 2 (353 kb) (mp3)
• Stephen Nolan: BBC Radio 5
part 1 (832 kb) | part 2 (1.47 MB) (mp3)
• The Power Within: SABC TV
part 1 (2 MB) | part 2 (2.62 MB) (mp3)
• Morning Live: SABC TV
part 1 (1.62 MB) | part 2 (1.9 MB) (wmv)
• Kate Turkington: Radio 702 (2.5 MB) (mp3)
Live Interviews
Download live interviews with Mary
• Tommy Marren: Midwest Radio
part 1 (904 kb) | part 2 (738 kb) (mp3) | part 3 (338 kb)
• Gerry Ryan: RTE Radio
part 1 (1.58 MB) | part 2 (353 kb) (mp3)
• Stephen Nolan: BBC Radio 5
part 1 (832 kb) | part 2 (1.47 MB) (mp3)
• The Power Within: SABC TV
part 1 (2 MB) | part 2 (2.62 MB) (mp3)
• Morning Live: SABC TV
part 1 (1.62 MB) | part 2 (1.9 MB) (wmv)
• Kate Turkington: Radio 702 (2.5 MB) (mp3)
Live Interviews
Download live interviews with Mary
• Tommy Marren: Midwest Radio
part 1 (904 kb) | part 2 (738 kb) (mp3) | part 3 (338 kb)
• Gerry Ryan: RTE Radio
part 1 (1.58 MB) | part 2 (353 kb) (mp3)
• Stephen Nolan: BBC Radio 5
part 1 (832 kb) | part 2 (1.47 MB) (mp3)
• The Power Within: SABC TV
part 1 (2 MB) | part 2 (2.62 MB) (mp3)
• Morning Live: SABC TV
part 1 (1.62 MB) | part 2 (1.9 MB) (wmv)
• Kate Turkington: Radio 702 (2.5 MB) (mp3)
Live Interviews
Download live interviews with Mary
• Tommy Marren: Midwest Radio
part 1 (904 kb) | part 2 (738 kb) (mp3) | part 3 (338 kb)
• Gerry Ryan: RTE Radio
part 1 (1.58 MB) | part 2 (353 kb) (mp3)
• Stephen Nolan: BBC Radio 5
part 1 (832 kb) | part 2 (1.47 MB) (mp3)
• The Power Within: SABC TV
part 1 (2 MB) | part 2 (2.62 MB) (mp3)
• Morning Live: SABC TV
part 1 (1.62 MB) | part 2 (1.9 MB) (wmv)
• Kate Turkington: Radio 702 (2.5 MB) (mp3)
Live Interviews
Download live interviews with Mary
• Tommy Marren: Midwest Radio
part 1 (904 kb) | part 2 (738 kb) (mp3) | part 3 (338 kb)
• Gerry Ryan: RTE Radio
part 1 (1.58 MB) | part 2 (353 kb) (mp3)
• Stephen Nolan: BBC Radio 5
part 1 (832 kb) | part 2 (1.47 MB) (mp3)
• The Power Within: SABC TV
part 1 (2 MB) | part 2 (2.62 MB) (mp3)
• Morning Live: SABC TV
part 1 (1.62 MB) | part 2 (1.9 MB) (wmv)
• Kate Turkington: Radio 702 (2.5 MB) (mp3)
Live Interviews
Download live interviews with Mary
Live Interviews
Download live interviews with Mary
|
|
|
• Gerry Ryan: RTE Radio |
| part 1 (1.58 MB) | part 2 (353 kb) (mp3) |
|
|
• Stephen Nolan: BBC Radio 5 |
| part 1 (832 kb) | part 2 (1.47 MB) (mp3) |
|
|
• The Power Within: SABC TV |
| part 1 (2 MB) | part 2 (2.62 MB) (mp3) |
|
|
• Morning Live: SABC TV |
| part 1 (1.62 MB) | part 2 (1.9 MB) (wmv) |
|
|
• Kate Turkington: Radio 702 (2.5 MB) (mp3) |
Live Interviews
Download live interviews with Mary
|
|
| • Gerry Ryan: RTE Radio |
| part 1 (1.58 MB) | part 2 (353 kb) (mp3) |
|
| • Stephen Nolan: BBC Radio 5 |
| part 1 (832 kb) | part 2 (1.47 MB) (mp3) |
|
| • The Power Within: SABC TV |
| part 1 (2 MB) | part 2 (2.62 MB) (mp3) |
|
| • Morning Live: SABC TV |
| part 1 (1.62 MB) | part 2 (1.9 MB) (wmv) |
|
| • Kate Turkington: Radio 702 (2.5 MB) (mp3) |
Live Interviews
Download live interviews with Mary
Interviews
Book Details
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
Burdened by his requirement that she sell their home to purchase one in a rundown area and by the need to keep performing at work to meet his debts, she becomes angry, finally, that while she is struggling to exist, he continues to run up entertainment charges on his Diners Card, her only means of knowing his whereabouts. But her anger is mixed with anxiety about his safety: she believes in him and his love for her. Supported by her faith, her Irish family, loyal friends – male and female – and by colleagues, she is able slowly, painfully, to move on to a new career and a new home. Not until she has discovered the answers to her questions, however, can the person she has become settle into her new life.
This deeply moving, candidly recounted story will resonate in the lives of readers, acting as encouragement to move beyond the circumstances of their own misfortune.
Download poem here (pdf)
Reader Comments
“Excellent Read – I was told of Mary’s story by a mutual friend/acquaintence who gave me her book to read yesterday, needless to say I completed it wthin a few hours imbetween nursing my baby.
Astonishing is the callous and cowardice of her husband John who abandons her with heaps of debt.
Amazing is Mary’s courage love and patience and hope, which endures, but is wasted on John.”
“Mary, your story is such an inspiration ….”
“May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand” – Tanya
” ive just heard your story on radio scotland with kay adams and ive just ordered your book cant wait to read it.” – Ac
“Just finished your book. A Great Read.
What a Wally John is…..” - Siobhan M.
“You’re a Saint Mary! Thoroughly enjoyed your book and can’t wait for a follow-up book with some happy moments for you to share with us.”- Therese (australia)
“i loved your book. i kept reading and reading til i finished. really enjoyed it well done Mary. Cant wait for your next book” - Maggie
” you should had left much earlier.At least after
you should had left much earlier.After six months at the most….” – Sylvia A.
“I heard your interview last night (15/07/07) on BBC Radio 5, I think your attitude and what you have been through is a true inspiration. I am ordering your book now!” – Katie S.
“I heard your electric interview on Gerry Ryan. Truly captivating – you are obviously a great storyteller. What struck me most was your capacity for compassion and forgiveness – a complete willingness for understanding. It was inspiring. Take care and good luck.”
“What an amazing story – poignant and brave. A true story of survival against the odds – told with compassion and great intelligence. A very compelling read. My book of the year.” – Marian M.
“I enjoyed reading it, very interesting.
Well done !” – Bridie R.
“Loved the book, very interesting, Your an inspiring Lady” – Mary W.
“What a story! What a girl! What can one say but well done you’re a star.” – Judy B.
“Loved the book. I couldn’t put it down till I had finished it. Well done ! I am now waiting for the next book, don’t keep us waiting too long!” - Ann K.
“What an inspiring story.” – Andrea K.
Book Details
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
Burdened by his requirement that she sell their home to purchase one in a rundown area and by the need to keep performing at work to meet his debts, she becomes angry, finally, that while she is struggling to exist, he continues to run up entertainment charges on his Diners Card, her only means of knowing his whereabouts. But her anger is mixed with anxiety about his safety: she believes in him and his love for her. Supported by her faith, her Irish family, loyal friends – male and female – and by colleagues, she is able slowly, painfully, to move on to a new career and a new home. Not until she has discovered the answers to her questions, however, can the person she has become settle into her new life.
This deeply moving, candidly recounted story will resonate in the lives of readers, acting as encouragement to move beyond the circumstances of their own misfortune.
Download poem here (pdf)
bookpreview
Press
Download News clippings
© Independant.ie
16 July 2007
‘I THOUGHT HE WAS A GHOST’
By Liam Horan and Anne-Marie Walsh
Fourteen years after Mary’s husband vanished, he catches her eye.
FOURTEEN years, hours of crying and one book after her husband walked out on her, Mary Monaghan never expected to see him again.
But the unbelievable happened when he caught her eye on the other side of the world last Saturday.
The stunned author spotted the man who had walked out on her in South Africa in 1993 sauntering down a street in Ballyshannon, Co Donegal.
Speaking last night she said she was speechless when she saw John, now aged 44, for the first time since he told her he was going on a backpacking holiday at the age of 29.
The couple had last seen each other when they were eight years married and living in Johannesburg.
Mary, whose parents came from Ballinrobe in Mayo, and John had met in an Irish club in Cricklewood in London and had emigrated to South Africa. Then one day he announced he was taking three months out to backpack in Australia.
But he never came back.
She managed to get a divorce in 1997 after notifications were advertised in Australian newspapers.
They had not set eyes on one another until last weekend when Mary was dropping copies of her book about her desperate search for the man she loved at a Donegal bookshop.
“It was almost like seeing a ghost. I was expecting to meet John’s aunt Elizabeth Coe, with whom I am in regular touch, but as I was walking towards her on the street, I saw this man getting out of another car, and realised it was John. I couldn’t believe it. “I didn’t say a lot initially – it was like a stunned silence – but his aunt was there and she said maybe we should have something to drink in the local hotel.
“He said he meant to come back to me but things got easier where he was and he was stressed out in Johannesburg. We were in a lot of debt.
“We planned to sell up and buy a smaller house but the banks took most of the money from the older one.
“We talked for over two hours. It was weird. John told me he was ashamed of what he had done. He has been living in Australia, but his relationship with the woman he was living with is over.
“John told me he hasn’t read the book yet, but intends to. He has heard quite a lot about it. He is in Donegal holidaying with his family before returning to Australia. I’m not sure if he was as surprised as I was. He may have heard on the grapevine that I would be in town. I think he felt guilty. We agreed to stay in touch.”
For years, all she got was a birthday card from her ex-husband, who said he planned to come home.
They had spoken just once since his disappearance. There was a phone call in 1998 when he apologised for what he did and explained he was stressed and wanted to start a new life.
Mary said she thinks he was just “burnt out” but there was the added complication that he had met another woman, who had moved in with him Down Under.
John had a child with the other woman, although they later split up.
Mary said she bears no ill will towards the other woman as she does not believe she knew she existed, and still insists that her relationship with John had been good.
Her tale of how she spent years trying to locate her missing husband created a stir when it was published in South Africa last year. ‘Remember Me?’ deals with the difficulties she experienced as she realised he was not returning. Despite the couple’s amicable meeting, they have no plans for a reunion . . .
- – - – - – - – - -
LexisNexis News
© Copyright 2007 MGN Ltd. All Rights Reserved
The Mirror, 3 July 2007
Eire Edition
HUSBAND MISSING FOR 14 YEARS BACK HOME;
AUTHOR WIFE REVEALS HER TORMENT AFTER SHOCK REUNION
By Liam Horan
A WANDERING Irishman who vanished without a trace 14 years ago has had an emotional reunion with his wife.
John Monaghan told his partner Mary he was just going on a three-month trip to Australia in 1993.
But she only set eyes on him for the first time last weekend in a shock reunion in Co Donegal.
The mystery surrounding John’s disappearance prompted Mary to write a book about her quest to find him called Remember Me? which was published a few weeks ago.
She said: “In 1993, we were looking forward to buying and renovating a new house together.
“But first John felt he needed some ‘time out’ before sorting out his business issues and he booked a three-month backpacking holiday in Australia. But he never came back.”
The couple were married for seven years and were living in Johannesburg, South Africa, before he went AWOL. Since his disappearance Mary, 50, discovered John had been involved with at least two other women before he walked out on her.
The book has been selling well in Ireland and has also caused a stir in South Africa where she still lives.
Mary, who was born in England to Co Mayo parents, was delivering copies of the book to a shop in Ballyshannon last Saturday when she met John.
She explained: “I was expecting to meet John’s aunt Elizabeth with whom I am in regular touch.
“But as I was walking towards her, I saw this man getting out of another car and realised it was John.
“We talked for over two hours. It was weird. John told me he was ashamed of what he had done.
“He has been living in Australia though his relationship with the woman he was living with there is now over.
“There was no rancour or bitterness between us, no confrontation.”
At the end of the meeting they shook hands and agreed to stay in touch.
Mary said John, who is in Donegal holidaying with his family before he returns to Australia, “has heard quite a lot about” the book.
Neither are in a current relationship but Mary isn’t keen on a reunion.
She added: “We could never get together again. Too much water has passed under the bridge.”
In her book, Mary tells how she traced John to Sydney with the help of Interpol and private detectives and did speak to him briefly on the phone in 1998.
When he answered Mary said: “Remember me? This is a voice from your past.”
But the line was disconnected before they could continue their conversation.
- – - – - – - – - -
News.com.au
14 July 2007
© Queensland Newspapers
COUPLE’S FREAK REUNION
By Fiona Hudson
FOR 14 years, South African resident Mary Monaghan hunted her vanished husband around the world, aided by private detectives and even Interpol.
A chance meeting on a trip to Ireland this month has finally flushed out her missing partner John and solved the mystery – he’s been living in Sydney and Queensland.
Mrs Monaghan, 50, was delivering copies of her recently published book Remember Me?, about her efforts to find her husband, when she spotted her former partner getting out of a car.
They had an emotional, two-hour reunion in a nearby pub, assisted by several glasses of wine to overcome their shock.
Industrial paint specialist John, 44, told his wife he was on holiday from Queensland to visit relatives in Ireland.
Irish-born Mrs Monaghan, 50, had arranged to meet John’s aunt for a drink that afternoon but the meeting with her estranged husband was entirely coincidental, she said.
“It was obviously meant to happen,” she said yesterday from South Africa.
“It’s bizarre that I was in Ireland because of the book, and that was the catalyst for bringing us back together when we live on opposite sides of the planet.
“I knew one day it was going to happen, that I would meet him. In the end it was quite emotional and upsetting, I wasn’t ready for it. It was quite difficult.”
Her book tells the story of the years spent looking for her missing husband.
John disappeared from their home in Johannesburg after telling his partner he was going on a three-month backpacking trip to Australia in 1993.
When his return flight arrived home without him, she spent thousands of dollars on private investigators.
She claims they tracked him, using credit card transaction records, to a love-nest he shared with another woman in Sydney in 1998.
She rang and had a brief phone conversation and managed to say, “Remember me? This is a voice from your past” before the line went dead.
Desperate for answers, she rang back but a woman answered. She did not hear her husband’s voice again until their Ireland meeting this month.
Her husband had heard of her self-published memoir via relatives.
“He said I’d been nice to him in the book,” she said. “He’s obviously heard about it through friends and family. It wasn’t written to be vindictive or to get revenge. I tried to be positive and forgiving.”
She didn’t bother to give him a copy.
Neither are in a relationship, but Mary considers a reunion unlikely.
“Too much has happened,” she said. “We will stay in contact I hope.”
Mrs Monaghan plans to one day visit Australia. She has several visas in her passport but has never used them.
“I was always ready to hop on a plane should he be found,” she said.
Press
Download News clippings
© Independant.ie
16 July 2007
‘I THOUGHT HE WAS A GHOST’
By Liam Horan and Anne-Marie Walsh
Fourteen years after Mary’s husband vanished, he catches her eye.
FOURTEEN years, hours of crying and one book after her husband walked out on her, Mary Monaghan never expected to see him again.
But the unbelievable happened when he caught her eye on the other side of the world last Saturday.
The stunned author spotted the man who had walked out on her in South Africa in 1993 sauntering down a street in Ballyshannon, Co Donegal.
Speaking last night she said she was speechless when she saw John, now aged 44, for the first time since he told her he was going on a backpacking holiday at the age of 29.
The couple had last seen each other when they were eight years married and living in Johannesburg.
Mary, whose parents came from Ballinrobe in Mayo, and John had met in an Irish club in Cricklewood in London and had emigrated to South Africa. Then one day he announced he was taking three months out to backpack in Australia.
But he never came back.
She managed to get a divorce in 1997 after notifications were advertised in Australian newspapers.
They had not set eyes on one another until last weekend when Mary was dropping copies of her book about her desperate search for the man she loved at a Donegal bookshop.
“It was almost like seeing a ghost. I was expecting to meet John’s aunt Elizabeth Coe, with whom I am in regular touch, but as I was walking towards her on the street, I saw this man getting out of another car, and realised it was John. I couldn’t believe it. “I didn’t say a lot initially – it was like a stunned silence – but his aunt was there and she said maybe we should have something to drink in the local hotel.
“He said he meant to come back to me but things got easier where he was and he was stressed out in Johannesburg. We were in a lot of debt.
“We planned to sell up and buy a smaller house but the banks took most of the money from the older one.
“We talked for over two hours. It was weird. John told me he was ashamed of what he had done. He has been living in Australia, but his relationship with the woman he was living with is over.
“John told me he hasn’t read the book yet, but intends to. He has heard quite a lot about it. He is in Donegal holidaying with his family before returning to Australia. I’m not sure if he was as surprised as I was. He may have heard on the grapevine that I would be in town. I think he felt guilty. We agreed to stay in touch.”
For years, all she got was a birthday card from her ex-husband, who said he planned to come home.
They had spoken just once since his disappearance. There was a phone call in 1998 when he apologised for what he did and explained he was stressed and wanted to start a new life.
Mary said she thinks he was just “burnt out” but there was the added complication that he had met another woman, who had moved in with him Down Under.
John had a child with the other woman, although they later split up.
Mary said she bears no ill will towards the other woman as she does not believe she knew she existed, and still insists that her relationship with John had been good.
Her tale of how she spent years trying to locate her missing husband created a stir when it was published in South Africa last year. ‘Remember Me?’ deals with the difficulties she experienced as she realised he was not returning. Despite the couple’s amicable meeting, they have no plans for a reunion . . .
- – - – - – - – - -
LexisNexis News
© Copyright 2007 MGN Ltd. All Rights Reserved
The Mirror, 3 July 2007
Eire Edition
HUSBAND MISSING FOR 14 YEARS BACK HOME;
AUTHOR WIFE REVEALS HER TORMENT AFTER SHOCK REUNION
By Liam Horan
A WANDERING Irishman who vanished without a trace 14 years ago has had an emotional reunion with his wife.
John Monaghan told his partner Mary he was just going on a three-month trip to Australia in 1993.
But she only set eyes on him for the first time last weekend in a shock reunion in Co Donegal.
The mystery surrounding John’s disappearance prompted Mary to write a book about her quest to find him called Remember Me? which was published a few weeks ago.
She said: “In 1993, we were looking forward to buying and renovating a new house together.
“But first John felt he needed some ‘time out’ before sorting out his business issues and he booked a three-month backpacking holiday in Australia. But he never came back.”
The couple were married for seven years and were living in Johannesburg, South Africa, before he went AWOL. Since his disappearance Mary, 50, discovered John had been involved with at least two other women before he walked out on her.
The book has been selling well in Ireland and has also caused a stir in South Africa where she still lives.
Mary, who was born in England to Co Mayo parents, was delivering copies of the book to a shop in Ballyshannon last Saturday when she met John.
She explained: “I was expecting to meet John’s aunt Elizabeth with whom I am in regular touch.
“But as I was walking towards her, I saw this man getting out of another car and realised it was John.
“We talked for over two hours. It was weird. John told me he was ashamed of what he had done.
“He has been living in Australia though his relationship with the woman he was living with there is now over.
“There was no rancour or bitterness between us, no confrontation.”
At the end of the meeting they shook hands and agreed to stay in touch.
Mary said John, who is in Donegal holidaying with his family before he returns to Australia, “has heard quite a lot about” the book.
Neither are in a current relationship but Mary isn’t keen on a reunion.
She added: “We could never get together again. Too much water has passed under the bridge.”
In her book, Mary tells how she traced John to Sydney with the help of Interpol and private detectives and did speak to him briefly on the phone in 1998.
When he answered Mary said: “Remember me? This is a voice from your past.”
But the line was disconnected before they could continue their conversation.
- – - – - – - – - -
News.com.au
14 July 2007
© Queensland Newspapers
COUPLE’S FREAK REUNION
By Fiona Hudson
FOR 14 years, South African resident Mary Monaghan hunted her vanished husband around the world, aided by private detectives and even Interpol.
A chance meeting on a trip to Ireland this month has finally flushed out her missing partner John and solved the mystery – he’s been living in Sydney and Queensland.
Mrs Monaghan, 50, was delivering copies of her recently published book Remember Me?, about her efforts to find her husband, when she spotted her former partner getting out of a car.
They had an emotional, two-hour reunion in a nearby pub, assisted by several glasses of wine to overcome their shock.
Industrial paint specialist John, 44, told his wife he was on holiday from Queensland to visit relatives in Ireland.
Irish-born Mrs Monaghan, 50, had arranged to meet John’s aunt for a drink that afternoon but the meeting with her estranged husband was entirely coincidental, she said.
“It was obviously meant to happen,” she said yesterday from South Africa.
“It’s bizarre that I was in Ireland because of the book, and that was the catalyst for bringing us back together when we live on opposite sides of the planet.
“I knew one day it was going to happen, that I would meet him. In the end it was quite emotional and upsetting, I wasn’t ready for it. It was quite difficult.”
Her book tells the story of the years spent looking for her missing husband.
John disappeared from their home in Johannesburg after telling his partner he was going on a three-month backpacking trip to Australia in 1993.
When his return flight arrived home without him, she spent thousands of dollars on private investigators.
She claims they tracked him, using credit card transaction records, to a love-nest he shared with another woman in Sydney in 1998.
She rang and had a brief phone conversation and managed to say, “Remember me? This is a voice from your past” before the line went dead.
Desperate for answers, she rang back but a woman answered. She did not hear her husband’s voice again until their Ireland meeting this month.
Her husband had heard of her self-published memoir via relatives.
“He said I’d been nice to him in the book,” she said. “He’s obviously heard about it through friends and family. It wasn’t written to be vindictive or to get revenge. I tried to be positive and forgiving.”
She didn’t bother to give him a copy.
Neither are in a relationship, but Mary considers a reunion unlikely.
“Too much has happened,” she said. “We will stay in contact I hope.”
Mrs Monaghan plans to one day visit Australia. She has several visas in her passport but has never used them.
“I was always ready to hop on a plane should he be found,” she said.
Press
Download News clippings
© Independant.ie
16 July 2007
‘I THOUGHT HE WAS A GHOST’
By Liam Horan and Anne-Marie Walsh
Fourteen years after Mary’s husband vanished, he catches her eye.
FOURTEEN years, hours of crying and one book after her husband walked out on her, Mary Monaghan never expected to see him again.
But the unbelievable happened when he caught her eye on the other side of the world last Saturday.
The stunned author spotted the man who had walked out on her in South Africa in 1993 sauntering down a street in Ballyshannon, Co Donegal.
Speaking last night she said she was speechless when she saw John, now aged 44, for the first time since he told her he was going on a backpacking holiday at the age of 29.
The couple had last seen each other when they were eight years married and living in Johannesburg.
Mary, whose parents came from Ballinrobe in Mayo, and John had met in an Irish club in Cricklewood in London and had emigrated to South Africa. Then one day he announced he was taking three months out to backpack in Australia.
But he never came back.
She managed to get a divorce in 1997 after notifications were advertised in Australian newspapers.
They had not set eyes on one another until last weekend when Mary was dropping copies of her book about her desperate search for the man she loved at a Donegal bookshop.
“It was almost like seeing a ghost. I was expecting to meet John’s aunt Elizabeth Coe, with whom I am in regular touch, but as I was walking towards her on the street, I saw this man getting out of another car, and realised it was John. I couldn’t believe it. “I didn’t say a lot initially – it was like a stunned silence – but his aunt was there and she said maybe we should have something to drink in the local hotel.
“He said he meant to come back to me but things got easier where he was and he was stressed out in Johannesburg. We were in a lot of debt.
“We planned to sell up and buy a smaller house but the banks took most of the money from the older one.
“We talked for over two hours. It was weird. John told me he was ashamed of what he had done. He has been living in Australia, but his relationship with the woman he was living with is over.
“John told me he hasn’t read the book yet, but intends to. He has heard quite a lot about it. He is in Donegal holidaying with his family before returning to Australia. I’m not sure if he was as surprised as I was. He may have heard on the grapevine that I would be in town. I think he felt guilty. We agreed to stay in touch.”
For years, all she got was a birthday card from her ex-husband, who said he planned to come home.
They had spoken just once since his disappearance. There was a phone call in 1998 when he apologised for what he did and explained he was stressed and wanted to start a new life.
Mary said she thinks he was just “burnt out” but there was the added complication that he had met another woman, who had moved in with him Down Under.
John had a child with the other woman, although they later split up.
Mary said she bears no ill will towards the other woman as she does not believe she knew she existed, and still insists that her relationship with John had been good.
Her tale of how she spent years trying to locate her missing husband created a stir when it was published in South Africa last year. ‘Remember Me?’ deals with the difficulties she experienced as she realised he was not returning. Despite the couple’s amicable meeting, they have no plans for a reunion . . .
- – - – - – - – - -
LexisNexis News
© Copyright 2007 MGN Ltd. All Rights Reserved
The Mirror, 3 July 2007
Eire Edition
HUSBAND MISSING FOR 14 YEARS BACK HOME;
AUTHOR WIFE REVEALS HER TORMENT AFTER SHOCK REUNION
By Liam Horan
A WANDERING Irishman who vanished without a trace 14 years ago has had an emotional reunion with his wife.
John Monaghan told his partner Mary he was just going on a three-month trip to Australia in 1993.
But she only set eyes on him for the first time last weekend in a shock reunion in Co Donegal.
The mystery surrounding John’s disappearance prompted Mary to write a book about her quest to find him called Remember Me? which was published a few weeks ago.
She said: “In 1993, we were looking forward to buying and renovating a new house together.
“But first John felt he needed some ‘time out’ before sorting out his business issues and he booked a three-month backpacking holiday in Australia. But he never came back.”
The couple were married for seven years and were living in Johannesburg, South Africa, before he went AWOL. Since his disappearance Mary, 50, discovered John had been involved with at least two other women before he walked out on her.
The book has been selling well in Ireland and has also caused a stir in South Africa where she still lives.
Mary, who was born in England to Co Mayo parents, was delivering copies of the book to a shop in Ballyshannon last Saturday when she met John.
She explained: “I was expecting to meet John’s aunt Elizabeth with whom I am in regular touch.
“But as I was walking towards her, I saw this man getting out of another car and realised it was John.
“We talked for over two hours. It was weird. John told me he was ashamed of what he had done.
“He has been living in Australia though his relationship with the woman he was living with there is now over.
“There was no rancour or bitterness between us, no confrontation.”
At the end of the meeting they shook hands and agreed to stay in touch.
Mary said John, who is in Donegal holidaying with his family before he returns to Australia, “has heard quite a lot about” the book.
Neither are in a current relationship but Mary isn’t keen on a reunion.
She added: “We could never get together again. Too much water has passed under the bridge.”
In her book, Mary tells how she traced John to Sydney with the help of Interpol and private detectives and did speak to him briefly on the phone in 1998.
When he answered Mary said: “Remember me? This is a voice from your past.”
But the line was disconnected before they could continue their conversation.
- – - – - – - – - -
News.com.au
14 July 2007
© Queensland Newspapers
COUPLE’S FREAK REUNION
By Fiona Hudson
FOR 14 years, South African resident Mary Monaghan hunted her vanished husband around the world, aided by private detectives and even Interpol.
A chance meeting on a trip to Ireland this month has finally flushed out her missing partner John and solved the mystery – he’s been living in Sydney and Queensland.
Mrs Monaghan, 50, was delivering copies of her recently published book Remember Me?, about her efforts to find her husband, when she spotted her former partner getting out of a car.
They had an emotional, two-hour reunion in a nearby pub, assisted by several glasses of wine to overcome their shock.
Industrial paint specialist John, 44, told his wife he was on holiday from Queensland to visit relatives in Ireland.
Irish-born Mrs Monaghan, 50, had arranged to meet John’s aunt for a drink that afternoon but the meeting with her estranged husband was entirely coincidental, she said.
“It was obviously meant to happen,” she said yesterday from South Africa.
“It’s bizarre that I was in Ireland because of the book, and that was the catalyst for bringing us back together when we live on opposite sides of the planet.
“I knew one day it was going to happen, that I would meet him. In the end it was quite emotional and upsetting, I wasn’t ready for it. It was quite difficult.”
Her book tells the story of the years spent looking for her missing husband.
John disappeared from their home in Johannesburg after telling his partner he was going on a three-month backpacking trip to Australia in 1993.
When his return flight arrived home without him, she spent thousands of dollars on private investigators.
She claims they tracked him, using credit card transaction records, to a love-nest he shared with another woman in Sydney in 1998.
She rang and had a brief phone conversation and managed to say, “Remember me? This is a voice from your past” before the line went dead.
Desperate for answers, she rang back but a woman answered. She did not hear her husband’s voice again until their Ireland meeting this month.
Her husband had heard of her self-published memoir via relatives.
“He said I’d been nice to him in the book,” she said. “He’s obviously heard about it through friends and family. It wasn’t written to be vindictive or to get revenge. I tried to be positive and forgiving.”
She didn’t bother to give him a copy.
Neither are in a relationship, but Mary considers a reunion unlikely.
“Too much has happened,” she said. “We will stay in contact I hope.”
Mrs Monaghan plans to one day visit Australia. She has several visas in her passport but has never used them.
“I was always ready to hop on a plane should he be found,” she said.
love-rat-1thumb1
Press
Download News clippings
© Independant.ie
16 July 2007
‘I THOUGHT HE WAS A GHOST’
By Liam Horan and Anne-Marie Walsh
Fourteen years after Mary’s husband vanished, he catches her eye.
FOURTEEN years, hours of crying and one book after her husband walked out on her, Mary Monaghan never expected to see him again.
But the unbelievable happened when he caught her eye on the other side of the world last Saturday.
The stunned author spotted the man who had walked out on her in South Africa in 1993 sauntering down a street in Ballyshannon, Co Donegal.
Speaking last night she said she was speechless when she saw John, now aged 44, for the first time since he told her he was going on a backpacking holiday at the age of 29.
The couple had last seen each other when they were eight years married and living in Johannesburg.
Mary, whose parents came from Ballinrobe in Mayo, and John had met in an Irish club in Cricklewood in London and had emigrated to South Africa. Then one day he announced he was taking three months out to backpack in Australia.
But he never came back.
She managed to get a divorce in 1997 after notifications were advertised in Australian newspapers.
They had not set eyes on one another until last weekend when Mary was dropping copies of her book about her desperate search for the man she loved at a Donegal bookshop.
“It was almost like seeing a ghost. I was expecting to meet John’s aunt Elizabeth Coe, with whom I am in regular touch, but as I was walking towards her on the street, I saw this man getting out of another car, and realised it was John. I couldn’t believe it. “I didn’t say a lot initially – it was like a stunned silence – but his aunt was there and she said maybe we should have something to drink in the local hotel.
“He said he meant to come back to me but things got easier where he was and he was stressed out in Johannesburg. We were in a lot of debt.
“We planned to sell up and buy a smaller house but the banks took most of the money from the older one.
“We talked for over two hours. It was weird. John told me he was ashamed of what he had done. He has been living in Australia, but his relationship with the woman he was living with is over.
“John told me he hasn’t read the book yet, but intends to. He has heard quite a lot about it. He is in Donegal holidaying with his family before returning to Australia. I’m not sure if he was as surprised as I was. He may have heard on the grapevine that I would be in town. I think he felt guilty. We agreed to stay in touch.”
For years, all she got was a birthday card from her ex-husband, who said he planned to come home.
They had spoken just once since his disappearance. There was a phone call in 1998 when he apologised for what he did and explained he was stressed and wanted to start a new life.
Mary said she thinks he was just “burnt out” but there was the added complication that he had met another woman, who had moved in with him Down Under.
John had a child with the other woman, although they later split up.
Mary said she bears no ill will towards the other woman as she does not believe she knew she existed, and still insists that her relationship with John had been good.
Her tale of how she spent years trying to locate her missing husband created a stir when it was published in South Africa last year. ‘Remember Me?’ deals with the difficulties she experienced as she realised he was not returning. Despite the couple’s amicable meeting, they have no plans for a reunion . . .
- – - – - – - – - -
LexisNexis News
© Copyright 2007 MGN Ltd. All Rights Reserved
The Mirror, 3 July 2007
Eire Edition
HUSBAND MISSING FOR 14 YEARS BACK HOME;
AUTHOR WIFE REVEALS HER TORMENT AFTER SHOCK REUNION
By Liam Horan
A WANDERING Irishman who vanished without a trace 14 years ago has had an emotional reunion with his wife.
John Monaghan told his partner Mary he was just going on a three-month trip to Australia in 1993.
But she only set eyes on him for the first time last weekend in a shock reunion in Co Donegal.
The mystery surrounding John’s disappearance prompted Mary to write a book about her quest to find him called Remember Me? which was published a few weeks ago.
She said: “In 1993, we were looking forward to buying and renovating a new house together.
“But first John felt he needed some ‘time out’ before sorting out his business issues and he booked a three-month backpacking holiday in Australia. But he never came back.”
The couple were married for seven years and were living in Johannesburg, South Africa, before he went AWOL. Since his disappearance Mary, 50, discovered John had been involved with at least two other women before he walked out on her.
The book has been selling well in Ireland and has also caused a stir in South Africa where she still lives.
Mary, who was born in England to Co Mayo parents, was delivering copies of the book to a shop in Ballyshannon last Saturday when she met John.
She explained: “I was expecting to meet John’s aunt Elizabeth with whom I am in regular touch.
“But as I was walking towards her, I saw this man getting out of another car and realised it was John.
“We talked for over two hours. It was weird. John told me he was ashamed of what he had done.
“He has been living in Australia though his relationship with the woman he was living with there is now over.
“There was no rancour or bitterness between us, no confrontation.”
At the end of the meeting they shook hands and agreed to stay in touch.
Mary said John, who is in Donegal holidaying with his family before he returns to Australia, “has heard quite a lot about” the book.
Neither are in a current relationship but Mary isn’t keen on a reunion.
She added: “We could never get together again. Too much water has passed under the bridge.”
In her book, Mary tells how she traced John to Sydney with the help of Interpol and private detectives and did speak to him briefly on the phone in 1998.
When he answered Mary said: “Remember me? This is a voice from your past.”
But the line was disconnected before they could continue their conversation.
- – - – - – - – - -
News.com.au
14 July 2007
© Queensland Newspapers
COUPLE’S FREAK REUNION
By Fiona Hudson
FOR 14 years, South African resident Mary Monaghan hunted her vanished husband around the world, aided by private detectives and even Interpol.
A chance meeting on a trip to Ireland this month has finally flushed out her missing partner John and solved the mystery – he’s been living in Sydney and Queensland.
Mrs Monaghan, 50, was delivering copies of her recently published book Remember Me?, about her efforts to find her husband, when she spotted her former partner getting out of a car.
They had an emotional, two-hour reunion in a nearby pub, assisted by several glasses of wine to overcome their shock.
Industrial paint specialist John, 44, told his wife he was on holiday from Queensland to visit relatives in Ireland.
Irish-born Mrs Monaghan, 50, had arranged to meet John’s aunt for a drink that afternoon but the meeting with her estranged husband was entirely coincidental, she said.
“It was obviously meant to happen,” she said yesterday from South Africa.
“It’s bizarre that I was in Ireland because of the book, and that was the catalyst for bringing us back together when we live on opposite sides of the planet.
“I knew one day it was going to happen, that I would meet him. In the end it was quite emotional and upsetting, I wasn’t ready for it. It was quite difficult.”
Her book tells the story of the years spent looking for her missing husband.
John disappeared from their home in Johannesburg after telling his partner he was going on a three-month backpacking trip to Australia in 1993.
When his return flight arrived home without him, she spent thousands of dollars on private investigators.
She claims they tracked him, using credit card transaction records, to a love-nest he shared with another woman in Sydney in 1998.
She rang and had a brief phone conversation and managed to say, “Remember me? This is a voice from your past” before the line went dead.
Desperate for answers, she rang back but a woman answered. She did not hear her husband’s voice again until their Ireland meeting this month.
Her husband had heard of her self-published memoir via relatives.
“He said I’d been nice to him in the book,” she said. “He’s obviously heard about it through friends and family. It wasn’t written to be vindictive or to get revenge. I tried to be positive and forgiving.”
She didn’t bother to give him a copy.
Neither are in a relationship, but Mary considers a reunion unlikely.
“Too much has happened,” she said. “We will stay in contact I hope.”
Mrs Monaghan plans to one day visit Australia. She has several visas in her passport but has never used them.
“I was always ready to hop on a plane should he be found,” she said.
Press
Download News clippings
© Independant.ie
16 July 2007
‘I THOUGHT HE WAS A GHOST’
By Liam Horan and Anne-Marie Walsh
Fourteen years after Mary’s husband vanished, he catches her eye.
FOURTEEN years, hours of crying and one book after her husband walked out on her, Mary Monaghan never expected to see him again.
But the unbelievable happened when he caught her eye on the other side of the world last Saturday.
The stunned author spotted the man who had walked out on her in South Africa in 1993 sauntering down a street in Ballyshannon, Co Donegal.
Speaking last night she said she was speechless when she saw John, now aged 44, for the first time since he told her he was going on a backpacking holiday at the age of 29.
The couple had last seen each other when they were eight years married and living in Johannesburg.
Mary, whose parents came from Ballinrobe in Mayo, and John had met in an Irish club in Cricklewood in London and had emigrated to South Africa. Then one day he announced he was taking three months out to backpack in Australia.
But he never came back.
She managed to get a divorce in 1997 after notifications were advertised in Australian newspapers.
They had not set eyes on one another until last weekend when Mary was dropping copies of her book about her desperate search for the man she loved at a Donegal bookshop.
“It was almost like seeing a ghost. I was expecting to meet John’s aunt Elizabeth Coe, with whom I am in regular touch, but as I was walking towards her on the street, I saw this man getting out of another car, and realised it was John. I couldn’t believe it. “I didn’t say a lot initially – it was like a stunned silence – but his aunt was there and she said maybe we should have something to drink in the local hotel.
“He said he meant to come back to me but things got easier where he was and he was stressed out in Johannesburg. We were in a lot of debt.
“We planned to sell up and buy a smaller house but the banks took most of the money from the older one.
“We talked for over two hours. It was weird. John told me he was ashamed of what he had done. He has been living in Australia, but his relationship with the woman he was living with is over.
“John told me he hasn’t read the book yet, but intends to. He has heard quite a lot about it. He is in Donegal holidaying with his family before returning to Australia. I’m not sure if he was as surprised as I was. He may have heard on the grapevine that I would be in town. I think he felt guilty. We agreed to stay in touch.”
For years, all she got was a birthday card from her ex-husband, who said he planned to come home.
They had spoken just once since his disappearance. There was a phone call in 1998 when he apologised for what he did and explained he was stressed and wanted to start a new life.
Mary said she thinks he was just “burnt out” but there was the added complication that he had met another woman, who had moved in with him Down Under.
John had a child with the other woman, although they later split up.
Mary said she bears no ill will towards the other woman as she does not believe she knew she existed, and still insists that her relationship with John had been good.
Her tale of how she spent years trying to locate her missing husband created a stir when it was published in South Africa last year. ‘Remember Me?’ deals with the difficulties she experienced as she realised he was not returning. Despite the couple’s amicable meeting, they have no plans for a reunion . . .
- – - – - – - – - -
LexisNexis News
© Copyright 2007 MGN Ltd. All Rights Reserved
The Mirror, 3 July 2007
Eire Edition
HUSBAND MISSING FOR 14 YEARS BACK HOME;
AUTHOR WIFE REVEALS HER TORMENT AFTER SHOCK REUNION
By Liam Horan
A WANDERING Irishman who vanished without a trace 14 years ago has had an emotional reunion with his wife.
John Monaghan told his partner Mary he was just going on a three-month trip to Australia in 1993.
But she only set eyes on him for the first time last weekend in a shock reunion in Co Donegal.
The mystery surrounding John’s disappearance prompted Mary to write a book about her quest to find him called Remember Me? which was published a few weeks ago.
She said: “In 1993, we were looking forward to buying and renovating a new house together.
“But first John felt he needed some ‘time out’ before sorting out his business issues and he booked a three-month backpacking holiday in Australia. But he never came back.”
The couple were married for seven years and were living in Johannesburg, South Africa, before he went AWOL. Since his disappearance Mary, 50, discovered John had been involved with at least two other women before he walked out on her.
The book has been selling well in Ireland and has also caused a stir in South Africa where she still lives.
Mary, who was born in England to Co Mayo parents, was delivering copies of the book to a shop in Ballyshannon last Saturday when she met John.
She explained: “I was expecting to meet John’s aunt Elizabeth with whom I am in regular touch.
“But as I was walking towards her, I saw this man getting out of another car and realised it was John.
“We talked for over two hours. It was weird. John told me he was ashamed of what he had done.
“He has been living in Australia though his relationship with the woman he was living with there is now over.
“There was no rancour or bitterness between us, no confrontation.”
At the end of the meeting they shook hands and agreed to stay in touch.
Mary said John, who is in Donegal holidaying with his family before he returns to Australia, “has heard quite a lot about” the book.
Neither are in a current relationship but Mary isn’t keen on a reunion.
She added: “We could never get together again. Too much water has passed under the bridge.”
In her book, Mary tells how she traced John to Sydney with the help of Interpol and private detectives and did speak to him briefly on the phone in 1998.
When he answered Mary said: “Remember me? This is a voice from your past.”
But the line was disconnected before they could continue their conversation.
- – - – - – - – - -
News.com.au
14 July 2007
© Queensland Newspapers
COUPLE’S FREAK REUNION
By Fiona Hudson
FOR 14 years, South African resident Mary Monaghan hunted her vanished husband around the world, aided by private detectives and even Interpol.
A chance meeting on a trip to Ireland this month has finally flushed out her missing partner John and solved the mystery – he’s been living in Sydney and Queensland.
Mrs Monaghan, 50, was delivering copies of her recently published book Remember Me?, about her efforts to find her husband, when she spotted her former partner getting out of a car.
They had an emotional, two-hour reunion in a nearby pub, assisted by several glasses of wine to overcome their shock.
Industrial paint specialist John, 44, told his wife he was on holiday from Queensland to visit relatives in Ireland.
Irish-born Mrs Monaghan, 50, had arranged to meet John’s aunt for a drink that afternoon but the meeting with her estranged husband was entirely coincidental, she said.
“It was obviously meant to happen,” she said yesterday from South Africa.
“It’s bizarre that I was in Ireland because of the book, and that was the catalyst for bringing us back together when we live on opposite sides of the planet.
“I knew one day it was going to happen, that I would meet him. In the end it was quite emotional and upsetting, I wasn’t ready for it. It was quite difficult.”
Her book tells the story of the years spent looking for her missing husband.
John disappeared from their home in Johannesburg after telling his partner he was going on a three-month backpacking trip to Australia in 1993.
When his return flight arrived home without him, she spent thousands of dollars on private investigators.
She claims they tracked him, using credit card transaction records, to a love-nest he shared with another woman in Sydney in 1998.
She rang and had a brief phone conversation and managed to say, “Remember me? This is a voice from your past” before the line went dead.
Desperate for answers, she rang back but a woman answered. She did not hear her husband’s voice again until their Ireland meeting this month.
Her husband had heard of her self-published memoir via relatives.
“He said I’d been nice to him in the book,” she said. “He’s obviously heard about it through friends and family. It wasn’t written to be vindictive or to get revenge. I tried to be positive and forgiving.”
She didn’t bother to give him a copy.
Neither are in a relationship, but Mary considers a reunion unlikely.
“Too much has happened,” she said. “We will stay in contact I hope.”
Mrs Monaghan plans to one day visit Australia. She has several visas in her passport but has never used them.
“I was always ready to hop on a plane should he be found,” she said.
Press
Download News clippings
© Independant.ie
16 July 2007
‘I THOUGHT HE WAS A GHOST’
By Liam Horan and Anne-Marie Walsh
Fourteen years after Mary’s husband vanished, he catches her eye.
FOURTEEN years, hours of crying and one book after her husband walked out on her, Mary Monaghan never expected to see him again.
But the unbelievable happened when he caught her eye on the other side of the world last Saturday.
The stunned author spotted the man who had walked out on her in South Africa in 1993 sauntering down a street in Ballyshannon, Co Donegal.
Speaking last night she said she was speechless when she saw John, now aged 44, for the first time since he told her he was going on a backpacking holiday at the age of 29.
The couple had last seen each other when they were eight years married and living in Johannesburg.
Mary, whose parents came from Ballinrobe in Mayo, and John had met in an Irish club in Cricklewood in London and had emigrated to South Africa. Then one day he announced he was taking three months out to backpack in Australia.
But he never came back.
She managed to get a divorce in 1997 after notifications were advertised in Australian newspapers.
They had not set eyes on one another until last weekend when Mary was dropping copies of her book about her desperate search for the man she loved at a Donegal bookshop.
“It was almost like seeing a ghost. I was expecting to meet John’s aunt Elizabeth Coe, with whom I am in regular touch, but as I was walking towards her on the street, I saw this man getting out of another car, and realised it was John. I couldn’t believe it. “I didn’t say a lot initially – it was like a stunned silence – but his aunt was there and she said maybe we should have something to drink in the local hotel.
“He said he meant to come back to me but things got easier where he was and he was stressed out in Johannesburg. We were in a lot of debt.
“We planned to sell up and buy a smaller house but the banks took most of the money from the older one.
“We talked for over two hours. It was weird. John told me he was ashamed of what he had done. He has been living in Australia, but his relationship with the woman he was living with is over.
“John told me he hasn’t read the book yet, but intends to. He has heard quite a lot about it. He is in Donegal holidaying with his family before returning to Australia. I’m not sure if he was as surprised as I was. He may have heard on the grapevine that I would be in town. I think he felt guilty. We agreed to stay in touch.”
For years, all she got was a birthday card from her ex-husband, who said he planned to come home.
They had spoken just once since his disappearance. There was a phone call in 1998 when he apologised for what he did and explained he was stressed and wanted to start a new life.
Mary said she thinks he was just “burnt out” but there was the added complication that he had met another woman, who had moved in with him Down Under.
John had a child with the other woman, although they later split up.
Mary said she bears no ill will towards the other woman as she does not believe she knew she existed, and still insists that her relationship with John had been good.
Her tale of how she spent years trying to locate her missing husband created a stir when it was published in South Africa last year. ‘Remember Me?’ deals with the difficulties she experienced as she realised he was not returning. Despite the couple’s amicable meeting, they have no plans for a reunion . . .
- – - – - – - – - -
LexisNexis News
© Copyright 2007 MGN Ltd. All Rights Reserved
The Mirror, 3 July 2007
Eire Edition
HUSBAND MISSING FOR 14 YEARS BACK HOME;
AUTHOR WIFE REVEALS HER TORMENT AFTER SHOCK REUNION
By Liam Horan
A WANDERING Irishman who vanished without a trace 14 years ago has had an emotional reunion with his wife.
John Monaghan told his partner Mary he was just going on a three-month trip to Australia in 1993.
But she only set eyes on him for the first time last weekend in a shock reunion in Co Donegal.
The mystery surrounding John’s disappearance prompted Mary to write a book about her quest to find him called Remember Me? which was published a few weeks ago.
She said: “In 1993, we were looking forward to buying and renovating a new house together.
“But first John felt he needed some ‘time out’ before sorting out his business issues and he booked a three-month backpacking holiday in Australia. But he never came back.”
The couple were married for seven years and were living in Johannesburg, South Africa, before he went AWOL. Since his disappearance Mary, 50, discovered John had been involved with at least two other women before he walked out on her.
The book has been selling well in Ireland and has also caused a stir in South Africa where she still lives.
Mary, who was born in England to Co Mayo parents, was delivering copies of the book to a shop in Ballyshannon last Saturday when she met John.
She explained: “I was expecting to meet John’s aunt Elizabeth with whom I am in regular touch.
“But as I was walking towards her, I saw this man getting out of another car and realised it was John.
“We talked for over two hours. It was weird. John told me he was ashamed of what he had done.
“He has been living in Australia though his relationship with the woman he was living with there is now over.
“There was no rancour or bitterness between us, no confrontation.”
At the end of the meeting they shook hands and agreed to stay in touch.
Mary said John, who is in Donegal holidaying with his family before he returns to Australia, “has heard quite a lot about” the book.
Neither are in a current relationship but Mary isn’t keen on a reunion.
She added: “We could never get together again. Too much water has passed under the bridge.”
In her book, Mary tells how she traced John to Sydney with the help of Interpol and private detectives and did speak to him briefly on the phone in 1998.
When he answered Mary said: “Remember me? This is a voice from your past.”
But the line was disconnected before they could continue their conversation.
- – - – - – - – - -
News.com.au
14 July 2007
© Queensland Newspapers
COUPLE’S FREAK REUNION
By Fiona Hudson
FOR 14 years, South African resident Mary Monaghan hunted her vanished husband around the world, aided by private detectives and even Interpol.
A chance meeting on a trip to Ireland this month has finally flushed out her missing partner John and solved the mystery – he’s been living in Sydney and Queensland.
Mrs Monaghan, 50, was delivering copies of her recently published book Remember Me?, about her efforts to find her husband, when she spotted her former partner getting out of a car.
They had an emotional, two-hour reunion in a nearby pub, assisted by several glasses of wine to overcome their shock.
Industrial paint specialist John, 44, told his wife he was on holiday from Queensland to visit relatives in Ireland.
Irish-born Mrs Monaghan, 50, had arranged to meet John’s aunt for a drink that afternoon but the meeting with her estranged husband was entirely coincidental, she said.
“It was obviously meant to happen,” she said yesterday from South Africa.
“It’s bizarre that I was in Ireland because of the book, and that was the catalyst for bringing us back together when we live on opposite sides of the planet.
“I knew one day it was going to happen, that I would meet him. In the end it was quite emotional and upsetting, I wasn’t ready for it. It was quite difficult.”
Her book tells the story of the years spent looking for her missing husband.
John disappeared from their home in Johannesburg after telling his partner he was going on a three-month backpacking trip to Australia in 1993.
When his return flight arrived home without him, she spent thousands of dollars on private investigators.
She claims they tracked him, using credit card transaction records, to a love-nest he shared with another woman in Sydney in 1998.
She rang and had a brief phone conversation and managed to say, “Remember me? This is a voice from your past” before the line went dead.
Desperate for answers, she rang back but a woman answered. She did not hear her husband’s voice again until their Ireland meeting this month.
Her husband had heard of her self-published memoir via relatives.
“He said I’d been nice to him in the book,” she said. “He’s obviously heard about it through friends and family. It wasn’t written to be vindictive or to get revenge. I tried to be positive and forgiving.”
She didn’t bother to give him a copy.
Neither are in a relationship, but Mary considers a reunion unlikely.
“Too much has happened,” she said. “We will stay in contact I hope.”
Mrs Monaghan plans to one day visit Australia. She has several visas in her passport but has never used them.
“I was always ready to hop on a plane should he be found,” she said.
Press
Download News clippings
© Independant.ie
16 July 2007
‘I THOUGHT HE WAS A GHOST’
By Liam Horan and Anne-Marie Walsh
Fourteen years after Mary’s husband vanished, he catches her eye.
FOURTEEN years, hours of crying and one book after her husband walked out on her, Mary Monaghan never expected to see him again.
But the unbelievable happened when he caught her eye on the other side of the world last Saturday.
The stunned author spotted the man who had walked out on her in South Africa in 1993 sauntering down a street in Ballyshannon, Co Donegal.
Speaking last night she said she was speechless when she saw John, now aged 44, for the first time since he told her he was going on a backpacking holiday at the age of 29.
The couple had last seen each other when they were eight years married and living in Johannesburg.
Mary, whose parents came from Ballinrobe in Mayo, and John had met in an Irish club in Cricklewood in London and had emigrated to South Africa. Then one day he announced he was taking three months out to backpack in Australia.
But he never came back.
She managed to get a divorce in 1997 after notifications were advertised in Australian newspapers.
They had not set eyes on one another until last weekend when Mary was dropping copies of her book about her desperate search for the man she loved at a Donegal bookshop.
“It was almost like seeing a ghost. I was expecting to meet John’s aunt Elizabeth Coe, with whom I am in regular touch, but as I was walking towards her on the street, I saw this man getting out of another car, and realised it was John. I couldn’t believe it. “I didn’t say a lot initially – it was like a stunned silence – but his aunt was there and she said maybe we should have something to drink in the local hotel.
“He said he meant to come back to me but things got easier where he was and he was stressed out in Johannesburg. We were in a lot of debt.
“We planned to sell up and buy a smaller house but the banks took most of the money from the older one.
“We talked for over two hours. It was weird. John told me he was ashamed of what he had done. He has been living in Australia, but his relationship with the woman he was living with is over.
“John told me he hasn’t read the book yet, but intends to. He has heard quite a lot about it. He is in Donegal holidaying with his family before returning to Australia. I’m not sure if he was as surprised as I was. He may have heard on the grapevine that I would be in town. I think he felt guilty. We agreed to stay in touch.”
For years, all she got was a birthday card from her ex-husband, who said he planned to come home.
They had spoken just once since his disappearance. There was a phone call in 1998 when he apologised for what he did and explained he was stressed and wanted to start a new life.
Mary said she thinks he was just “burnt out” but there was the added complication that he had met another woman, who had moved in with him Down Under.
John had a child with the other woman, although they later split up.
Mary said she bears no ill will towards the other woman as she does not believe she knew she existed, and still insists that her relationship with John had been good.
Her tale of how she spent years trying to locate her missing husband created a stir when it was published in South Africa last year. ‘Remember Me?’ deals with the difficulties she experienced as she realised he was not returning. Despite the couple’s amicable meeting, they have no plans for a reunion . . .
- – - – - – - – - -
LexisNexis News
© Copyright 2007 MGN Ltd. All Rights Reserved
The Mirror, 3 July 2007
Eire Edition
HUSBAND MISSING FOR 14 YEARS BACK HOME;
AUTHOR WIFE REVEALS HER TORMENT AFTER SHOCK REUNION
By Liam Horan
A WANDERING Irishman who vanished without a trace 14 years ago has had an emotional reunion with his wife.
John Monaghan told his partner Mary he was just going on a three-month trip to Australia in 1993.
But she only set eyes on him for the first time last weekend in a shock reunion in Co Donegal.
The mystery surrounding John’s disappearance prompted Mary to write a book about her quest to find him called Remember Me? which was published a few weeks ago.
She said: “In 1993, we were looking forward to buying and renovating a new house together.
“But first John felt he needed some ‘time out’ before sorting out his business issues and he booked a three-month backpacking holiday in Australia. But he never came back.”
The couple were married for seven years and were living in Johannesburg, South Africa, before he went AWOL. Since his disappearance Mary, 50, discovered John had been involved with at least two other women before he walked out on her.
The book has been selling well in Ireland and has also caused a stir in South Africa where she still lives.
Mary, who was born in England to Co Mayo parents, was delivering copies of the book to a shop in Ballyshannon last Saturday when she met John.
She explained: “I was expecting to meet John’s aunt Elizabeth with whom I am in regular touch.
“But as I was walking towards her, I saw this man getting out of another car and realised it was John.
“We talked for over two hours. It was weird. John told me he was ashamed of what he had done.
“He has been living in Australia though his relationship with the woman he was living with there is now over.
“There was no rancour or bitterness between us, no confrontation.”
At the end of the meeting they shook hands and agreed to stay in touch.
Mary said John, who is in Donegal holidaying with his family before he returns to Australia, “has heard quite a lot about” the book.
Neither are in a current relationship but Mary isn’t keen on a reunion.
She added: “We could never get together again. Too much water has passed under the bridge.”
In her book, Mary tells how she traced John to Sydney with the help of Interpol and private detectives and did speak to him briefly on the phone in 1998.
When he answered Mary said: “Remember me? This is a voice from your past.”
But the line was disconnected before they could continue their conversation.
- – - – - – - – - -
News.com.au
14 July 2007
© Queensland Newspapers
COUPLE’S FREAK REUNION
By Fiona Hudson
FOR 14 years, South African resident Mary Monaghan hunted her vanished husband around the world, aided by private detectives and even Interpol.
A chance meeting on a trip to Ireland this month has finally flushed out her missing partner John and solved the mystery – he’s been living in Sydney and Queensland.
Mrs Monaghan, 50, was delivering copies of her recently published book Remember Me?, about her efforts to find her husband, when she spotted her former partner getting out of a car.
They had an emotional, two-hour reunion in a nearby pub, assisted by several glasses of wine to overcome their shock.
Industrial paint specialist John, 44, told his wife he was on holiday from Queensland to visit relatives in Ireland.
Irish-born Mrs Monaghan, 50, had arranged to meet John’s aunt for a drink that afternoon but the meeting with her estranged husband was entirely coincidental, she said.
“It was obviously meant to happen,” she said yesterday from South Africa.
“It’s bizarre that I was in Ireland because of the book, and that was the catalyst for bringing us back together when we live on opposite sides of the planet.
“I knew one day it was going to happen, that I would meet him. In the end it was quite emotional and upsetting, I wasn’t ready for it. It was quite difficult.”
Her book tells the story of the years spent looking for her missing husband.
John disappeared from their home in Johannesburg after telling his partner he was going on a three-month backpacking trip to Australia in 1993.
When his return flight arrived home without him, she spent thousands of dollars on private investigators.
She claims they tracked him, using credit card transaction records, to a love-nest he shared with another woman in Sydney in 1998.
She rang and had a brief phone conversation and managed to say, “Remember me? This is a voice from your past” before the line went dead.
Desperate for answers, she rang back but a woman answered. She did not hear her husband’s voice again until their Ireland meeting this month.
Her husband had heard of her self-published memoir via relatives.
“He said I’d been nice to him in the book,” she said. “He’s obviously heard about it through friends and family. It wasn’t written to be vindictive or to get revenge. I tried to be positive and forgiving.”
She didn’t bother to give him a copy.
Neither are in a relationship, but Mary considers a reunion unlikely.
“Too much has happened,” she said. “We will stay in contact I hope.”
Mrs Monaghan plans to one day visit Australia. She has several visas in her passport but has never used them.
“I was always ready to hop on a plane should he be found,” she said.
Press
Download News clippings
© Independant.ie
16 July 2007
‘I THOUGHT HE WAS A GHOST’
By Liam Horan and Anne-Marie Walsh
Fourteen years after Mary’s husband vanished, he catches her eye.
FOURTEEN years, hours of crying and one book after her husband walked out on her, Mary Monaghan never expected to see him again.
But the unbelievable happened when he caught her eye on the other side of the world last Saturday.
The stunned author spotted the man who had walked out on her in South Africa in 1993 sauntering down a street in Ballyshannon, Co Donegal.
Speaking last night she said she was speechless when she saw John, now aged 44, for the first time since he told her he was going on a backpacking holiday at the age of 29.
The couple had last seen each other when they were eight years married and living in Johannesburg.
Mary, whose parents came from Ballinrobe in Mayo, and John had met in an Irish club in Cricklewood in London and had emigrated to South Africa. Then one day he announced he was taking three months out to backpack in Australia.
But he never came back.
She managed to get a divorce in 1997 after notifications were advertised in Australian newspapers.
They had not set eyes on one another until last weekend when Mary was dropping copies of her book about her desperate search for the man she loved at a Donegal bookshop.
“It was almost like seeing a ghost. I was expecting to meet John’s aunt Elizabeth Coe, with whom I am in regular touch, but as I was walking towards her on the street, I saw this man getting out of another car, and realised it was John. I couldn’t believe it. “I didn’t say a lot initially – it was like a stunned silence – but his aunt was there and she said maybe we should have something to drink in the local hotel.
“He said he meant to come back to me but things got easier where he was and he was stressed out in Johannesburg. We were in a lot of debt.
“We planned to sell up and buy a smaller house but the banks took most of the money from the older one.
“We talked for over two hours. It was weird. John told me he was ashamed of what he had done. He has been living in Australia, but his relationship with the woman he was living with is over.
“John told me he hasn’t read the book yet, but intends to. He has heard quite a lot about it. He is in Donegal holidaying with his family before returning to Australia. I’m not sure if he was as surprised as I was. He may have heard on the grapevine that I would be in town. I think he felt guilty. We agreed to stay in touch.”
For years, all she got was a birthday card from her ex-husband, who said he planned to come home.
They had spoken just once since his disappearance. There was a phone call in 1998 when he apologised for what he did and explained he was stressed and wanted to start a new life.
Mary said she thinks he was just “burnt out” but there was the added complication that he had met another woman, who had moved in with him Down Under.
John had a child with the other woman, although they later split up.
Mary said she bears no ill will towards the other woman as she does not believe she knew she existed, and still insists that her relationship with John had been good.
Her tale of how she spent years trying to locate her missing husband created a stir when it was published in South Africa last year. ‘Remember Me?’ deals with the difficulties she experienced as she realised he was not returning. Despite the couple’s amicable meeting, they have no plans for a reunion . . .
- – - – - – - – - -
LexisNexis News
© Copyright 2007 MGN Ltd. All Rights Reserved
The Mirror, 3 July 2007
Eire Edition
HUSBAND MISSING FOR 14 YEARS BACK HOME;
AUTHOR WIFE REVEALS HER TORMENT AFTER SHOCK REUNION
By Liam Horan
A WANDERING Irishman who vanished without a trace 14 years ago has had an emotional reunion with his wife.
John Monaghan told his partner Mary he was just going on a three-month trip to Australia in 1993.
But she only set eyes on him for the first time last weekend in a shock reunion in Co Donegal.
The mystery surrounding John’s disappearance prompted Mary to write a book about her quest to find him called Remember Me? which was published a few weeks ago.
She said: “In 1993, we were looking forward to buying and renovating a new house together.
“But first John felt he needed some ‘time out’ before sorting out his business issues and he booked a three-month backpacking holiday in Australia. But he never came back.”
The couple were married for seven years and were living in Johannesburg, South Africa, before he went AWOL. Since his disappearance Mary, 50, discovered John had been involved with at least two other women before he walked out on her.
The book has been selling well in Ireland and has also caused a stir in South Africa where she still lives.
Mary, who was born in England to Co Mayo parents, was delivering copies of the book to a shop in Ballyshannon last Saturday when she met John.
She explained: “I was expecting to meet John’s aunt Elizabeth with whom I am in regular touch.
“But as I was walking towards her, I saw this man getting out of another car and realised it was John.
“We talked for over two hours. It was weird. John told me he was ashamed of what he had done.
“He has been living in Australia though his relationship with the woman he was living with there is now over.
“There was no rancour or bitterness between us, no confrontation.”
At the end of the meeting they shook hands and agreed to stay in touch.
Mary said John, who is in Donegal holidaying with his family before he returns to Australia, “has heard quite a lot about” the book.
Neither are in a current relationship but Mary isn’t keen on a reunion.
She added: “We could never get together again. Too much water has passed under the bridge.”
In her book, Mary tells how she traced John to Sydney with the help of Interpol and private detectives and did speak to him briefly on the phone in 1998.
When he answered Mary said: “Remember me? This is a voice from your past.”
But the line was disconnected before they could continue their conversation.
- – - – - – - – - -
News.com.au
14 July 2007
© Queensland Newspapers
COUPLE’S FREAK REUNION
By Fiona Hudson
FOR 14 years, South African resident Mary Monaghan hunted her vanished husband around the world, aided by private detectives and even Interpol.
A chance meeting on a trip to Ireland this month has finally flushed out her missing partner John and solved the mystery – he’s been living in Sydney and Queensland.
Mrs Monaghan, 50, was delivering copies of her recently published book Remember Me?, about her efforts to find her husband, when she spotted her former partner getting out of a car.
They had an emotional, two-hour reunion in a nearby pub, assisted by several glasses of wine to overcome their shock.
Industrial paint specialist John, 44, told his wife he was on holiday from Queensland to visit relatives in Ireland.
Irish-born Mrs Monaghan, 50, had arranged to meet John’s aunt for a drink that afternoon but the meeting with her estranged husband was entirely coincidental, she said.
“It was obviously meant to happen,” she said yesterday from South Africa.
“It’s bizarre that I was in Ireland because of the book, and that was the catalyst for bringing us back together when we live on opposite sides of the planet.
“I knew one day it was going to happen, that I would meet him. In the end it was quite emotional and upsetting, I wasn’t ready for it. It was quite difficult.”
Her book tells the story of the years spent looking for her missing husband.
John disappeared from their home in Johannesburg after telling his partner he was going on a three-month backpacking trip to Australia in 1993.
When his return flight arrived home without him, she spent thousands of dollars on private investigators.
She claims they tracked him, using credit card transaction records, to a love-nest he shared with another woman in Sydney in 1998.
She rang and had a brief phone conversation and managed to say, “Remember me? This is a voice from your past” before the line went dead.
Desperate for answers, she rang back but a woman answered. She did not hear her husband’s voice again until their Ireland meeting this month.
Her husband had heard of her self-published memoir via relatives.
“He said I’d been nice to him in the book,” she said. “He’s obviously heard about it through friends and family. It wasn’t written to be vindictive or to get revenge. I tried to be positive and forgiving.”
She didn’t bother to give him a copy.
Neither are in a relationship, but Mary considers a reunion unlikely.
“Too much has happened,” she said. “We will stay in contact I hope.”
Mrs Monaghan plans to one day visit Australia. She has several visas in her passport but has never used them.
“I was always ready to hop on a plane should he be found,” she said.
Press
Download News clippings
© Independant.ie
16 July 2007
‘I THOUGHT HE WAS A GHOST’
By Liam Horan and Anne-Marie Walsh
Fourteen years after Mary’s husband vanished, he catches her eye.
FOURTEEN years, hours of crying and one book after her husband walked out on her, Mary Monaghan never expected to see him again.
But the unbelievable happened when he caught her eye on the other side of the world last Saturday.
The stunned author spotted the man who had walked out on her in South Africa in 1993 sauntering down a street in Ballyshannon, Co Donegal.
Speaking last night she said she was speechless when she saw John, now aged 44, for the first time since he told her he was going on a backpacking holiday at the age of 29.
The couple had last seen each other when they were eight years married and living in Johannesburg.
Mary, whose parents came from Ballinrobe in Mayo, and John had met in an Irish club in Cricklewood in London and had emigrated to South Africa. Then one day he announced he was taking three months out to backpack in Australia.
But he never came back.
She managed to get a divorce in 1997 after notifications were advertised in Australian newspapers.
They had not set eyes on one another until last weekend when Mary was dropping copies of her book about her desperate search for the man she loved at a Donegal bookshop.
“It was almost like seeing a ghost. I was expecting to meet John’s aunt Elizabeth Coe, with whom I am in regular touch, but as I was walking towards her on the street, I saw this man getting out of another car, and realised it was John. I couldn’t believe it. “I didn’t say a lot initially – it was like a stunned silence – but his aunt was there and she said maybe we should have something to drink in the local hotel.
“He said he meant to come back to me but things got easier where he was and he was stressed out in Johannesburg. We were in a lot of debt.
“We planned to sell up and buy a smaller house but the banks took most of the money from the older one.
“We talked for over two hours. It was weird. John told me he was ashamed of what he had done. He has been living in Australia, but his relationship with the woman he was living with is over.
“John told me he hasn’t read the book yet, but intends to. He has heard quite a lot about it. He is in Donegal holidaying with his family before returning to Australia. I’m not sure if he was as surprised as I was. He may have heard on the grapevine that I would be in town. I think he felt guilty. We agreed to stay in touch.”
For years, all she got was a birthday card from her ex-husband, who said he planned to come home.
They had spoken just once since his disappearance. There was a phone call in 1998 when he apologised for what he did and explained he was stressed and wanted to start a new life.
Mary said she thinks he was just “burnt out” but there was the added complication that he had met another woman, who had moved in with him Down Under.
John had a child with the other woman, although they later split up.
Mary said she bears no ill will towards the other woman as she does not believe she knew she existed, and still insists that her relationship with John had been good.
Her tale of how she spent years trying to locate her missing husband created a stir when it was published in South Africa last year. ‘Remember Me?’ deals with the difficulties she experienced as she realised he was not returning. Despite the couple’s amicable meeting, they have no plans for a reunion . . .
- – - – - – - – - -
LexisNexis News
© Copyright 2007 MGN Ltd. All Rights Reserved
The Mirror, 3 July 2007
Eire Edition
HUSBAND MISSING FOR 14 YEARS BACK HOME;
AUTHOR WIFE REVEALS HER TORMENT AFTER SHOCK REUNION
By Liam Horan
A WANDERING Irishman who vanished without a trace 14 years ago has had an emotional reunion with his wife.
John Monaghan told his partner Mary he was just going on a three-month trip to Australia in 1993.
But she only set eyes on him for the first time last weekend in a shock reunion in Co Donegal.
The mystery surrounding John’s disappearance prompted Mary to write a book about her quest to find him called Remember Me? which was published a few weeks ago.
She said: “In 1993, we were looking forward to buying and renovating a new house together.
“But first John felt he needed some ‘time out’ before sorting out his business issues and he booked a three-month backpacking holiday in Australia. But he never came back.”
The couple were married for seven years and were living in Johannesburg, South Africa, before he went AWOL. Since his disappearance Mary, 50, discovered John had been involved with at least two other women before he walked out on her.
The book has been selling well in Ireland and has also caused a stir in South Africa where she still lives.
Mary, who was born in England to Co Mayo parents, was delivering copies of the book to a shop in Ballyshannon last Saturday when she met John.
She explained: “I was expecting to meet John’s aunt Elizabeth with whom I am in regular touch.
“But as I was walking towards her, I saw this man getting out of another car and realised it was John.
“We talked for over two hours. It was weird. John told me he was ashamed of what he had done.
“He has been living in Australia though his relationship with the woman he was living with there is now over.
“There was no rancour or bitterness between us, no confrontation.”
At the end of the meeting they shook hands and agreed to stay in touch.
Mary said John, who is in Donegal holidaying with his family before he returns to Australia, “has heard quite a lot about” the book.
Neither are in a current relationship but Mary isn’t keen on a reunion.
She added: “We could never get together again. Too much water has passed under the bridge.”
In her book, Mary tells how she traced John to Sydney with the help of Interpol and private detectives and did speak to him briefly on the phone in 1998.
When he answered Mary said: “Remember me? This is a voice from your past.”
But the line was disconnected before they could continue their conversation.
- – - – - – - – - -
News.com.au
14 July 2007
© Queensland Newspapers
COUPLE’S FREAK REUNION
By Fiona Hudson
FOR 14 years, South African resident Mary Monaghan hunted her vanished husband around the world, aided by private detectives and even Interpol.
A chance meeting on a trip to Ireland this month has finally flushed out her missing partner John and solved the mystery – he’s been living in Sydney and Queensland.
Mrs Monaghan, 50, was delivering copies of her recently published book Remember Me?, about her efforts to find her husband, when she spotted her former partner getting out of a car.
They had an emotional, two-hour reunion in a nearby pub, assisted by several glasses of wine to overcome their shock.
Industrial paint specialist John, 44, told his wife he was on holiday from Queensland to visit relatives in Ireland.
Irish-born Mrs Monaghan, 50, had arranged to meet John’s aunt for a drink that afternoon but the meeting with her estranged husband was entirely coincidental, she said.
“It was obviously meant to happen,” she said yesterday from South Africa.
“It’s bizarre that I was in Ireland because of the book, and that was the catalyst for bringing us back together when we live on opposite sides of the planet.
“I knew one day it was going to happen, that I would meet him. In the end it was quite emotional and upsetting, I wasn’t ready for it. It was quite difficult.”
Her book tells the story of the years spent looking for her missing husband.
John disappeared from their home in Johannesburg after telling his partner he was going on a three-month backpacking trip to Australia in 1993.
When his return flight arrived home without him, she spent thousands of dollars on private investigators.
She claims they tracked him, using credit card transaction records, to a love-nest he shared with another woman in Sydney in 1998.
She rang and had a brief phone conversation and managed to say, “Remember me? This is a voice from your past” before the line went dead.
Desperate for answers, she rang back but a woman answered. She did not hear her husband’s voice again until their Ireland meeting this month.
Her husband had heard of her self-published memoir via relatives.
“He said I’d been nice to him in the book,” she said. “He’s obviously heard about it through friends and family. It wasn’t written to be vindictive or to get revenge. I tried to be positive and forgiving.”
She didn’t bother to give him a copy.
Neither are in a relationship, but Mary considers a reunion unlikely.
“Too much has happened,” she said. “We will stay in contact I hope.”
Mrs Monaghan plans to one day visit Australia. She has several visas in her passport but has never used them.
“I was always ready to hop on a plane should he be found,” she said.
Press
Download News clippings
© Independant.ie
16 July 2007
‘I THOUGHT HE WAS A GHOST’
By Liam Horan and Anne-Marie Walsh
Fourteen years after Mary’s husband vanished, he catches her eye.
FOURTEEN years, hours of crying and one book after her husband walked out on her, Mary Monaghan never expected to see him again.
But the unbelievable happened when he caught her eye on the other side of the world last Saturday.
The stunned author spotted the man who had walked out on her in South Africa in 1993 sauntering down a street in Ballyshannon, Co Donegal.
Speaking last night she said she was speechless when she saw John, now aged 44, for the first time since he told her he was going on a backpacking holiday at the age of 29.
The couple had last seen each other when they were eight years married and living in Johannesburg.
Mary, whose parents came from Ballinrobe in Mayo, and John had met in an Irish club in Cricklewood in London and had emigrated to South Africa. Then one day he announced he was taking three months out to backpack in Australia.
But he never came back.
She managed to get a divorce in 1997 after notifications were advertised in Australian newspapers.
They had not set eyes on one another until last weekend when Mary was dropping copies of her book about her desperate search for the man she loved at a Donegal bookshop.
“It was almost like seeing a ghost. I was expecting to meet John’s aunt Elizabeth Coe, with whom I am in regular touch, but as I was walking towards her on the street, I saw this man getting out of another car, and realised it was John. I couldn’t believe it. “I didn’t say a lot initially – it was like a stunned silence – but his aunt was there and she said maybe we should have something to drink in the local hotel.
“He said he meant to come back to me but things got easier where he was and he was stressed out in Johannesburg. We were in a lot of debt.
“We planned to sell up and buy a smaller house but the banks took most of the money from the older one.
“We talked for over two hours. It was weird. John told me he was ashamed of what he had done. He has been living in Australia, but his relationship with the woman he was living with is over.
“John told me he hasn’t read the book yet, but intends to. He has heard quite a lot about it. He is in Donegal holidaying with his family before returning to Australia. I’m not sure if he was as surprised as I was. He may have heard on the grapevine that I would be in town. I think he felt guilty. We agreed to stay in touch.”
For years, all she got was a birthday card from her ex-husband, who said he planned to come home.
They had spoken just once since his disappearance. There was a phone call in 1998 when he apologised for what he did and explained he was stressed and wanted to start a new life.
Mary said she thinks he was just “burnt out” but there was the added complication that he had met another woman, who had moved in with him Down Under.
John had a child with the other woman, although they later split up.
Mary said she bears no ill will towards the other woman as she does not believe she knew she existed, and still insists that her relationship with John had been good.
Her tale of how she spent years trying to locate her missing husband created a stir when it was published in South Africa last year. ‘Remember Me?’ deals with the difficulties she experienced as she realised he was not returning. Despite the couple’s amicable meeting, they have no plans for a reunion . . .
- – - – - – - – - -
LexisNexis News
© Copyright 2007 MGN Ltd. All Rights Reserved
The Mirror, 3 July 2007
Eire Edition
HUSBAND MISSING FOR 14 YEARS BACK HOME;
AUTHOR WIFE REVEALS HER TORMENT AFTER SHOCK REUNION
By Liam Horan
A WANDERING Irishman who vanished without a trace 14 years ago has had an emotional reunion with his wife.
John Monaghan told his partner Mary he was just going on a three-month trip to Australia in 1993.
But she only set eyes on him for the first time last weekend in a shock reunion in Co Donegal.
The mystery surrounding John’s disappearance prompted Mary to write a book about her quest to find him called Remember Me? which was published a few weeks ago.
She said: “In 1993, we were looking forward to buying and renovating a new house together.
“But first John felt he needed some ‘time out’ before sorting out his business issues and he booked a three-month backpacking holiday in Australia. But he never came back.”
The couple were married for seven years and were living in Johannesburg, South Africa, before he went AWOL. Since his disappearance Mary, 50, discovered John had been involved with at least two other women before he walked out on her.
The book has been selling well in Ireland and has also caused a stir in South Africa where she still lives.
Mary, who was born in England to Co Mayo parents, was delivering copies of the book to a shop in Ballyshannon last Saturday when she met John.
She explained: “I was expecting to meet John’s aunt Elizabeth with whom I am in regular touch.
“But as I was walking towards her, I saw this man getting out of another car and realised it was John.
“We talked for over two hours. It was weird. John told me he was ashamed of what he had done.
“He has been living in Australia though his relationship with the woman he was living with there is now over.
“There was no rancour or bitterness between us, no confrontation.”
At the end of the meeting they shook hands and agreed to stay in touch.
Mary said John, who is in Donegal holidaying with his family before he returns to Australia, “has heard quite a lot about” the book.
Neither are in a current relationship but Mary isn’t keen on a reunion.
She added: “We could never get together again. Too much water has passed under the bridge.”
In her book, Mary tells how she traced John to Sydney with the help of Interpol and private detectives and did speak to him briefly on the phone in 1998.
When he answered Mary said: “Remember me? This is a voice from your past.”
But the line was disconnected before they could continue their conversation.
- – - – - – - – - -
News.com.au
14 July 2007
© Queensland Newspapers
COUPLE’S FREAK REUNION
By Fiona Hudson
FOR 14 years, South African resident Mary Monaghan hunted her vanished husband around the world, aided by private detectives and even Interpol.
A chance meeting on a trip to Ireland this month has finally flushed out her missing partner John and solved the mystery – he’s been living in Sydney and Queensland.
Mrs Monaghan, 50, was delivering copies of her recently published book Remember Me?, about her efforts to find her husband, when she spotted her former partner getting out of a car.
They had an emotional, two-hour reunion in a nearby pub, assisted by several glasses of wine to overcome their shock.
Industrial paint specialist John, 44, told his wife he was on holiday from Queensland to visit relatives in Ireland.
Irish-born Mrs Monaghan, 50, had arranged to meet John’s aunt for a drink that afternoon but the meeting with her estranged husband was entirely coincidental, she said.
“It was obviously meant to happen,” she said yesterday from South Africa.
“It’s bizarre that I was in Ireland because of the book, and that was the catalyst for bringing us back together when we live on opposite sides of the planet.
“I knew one day it was going to happen, that I would meet him. In the end it was quite emotional and upsetting, I wasn’t ready for it. It was quite difficult.”
Her book tells the story of the years spent looking for her missing husband.
John disappeared from their home in Johannesburg after telling his partner he was going on a three-month backpacking trip to Australia in 1993.
When his return flight arrived home without him, she spent thousands of dollars on private investigators.
She claims they tracked him, using credit card transaction records, to a love-nest he shared with another woman in Sydney in 1998.
She rang and had a brief phone conversation and managed to say, “Remember me? This is a voice from your past” before the line went dead.
Desperate for answers, she rang back but a woman answered. She did not hear her husband’s voice again until their Ireland meeting this month.
Her husband had heard of her self-published memoir via relatives.
“He said I’d been nice to him in the book,” she said. “He’s obviously heard about it through friends and family. It wasn’t written to be vindictive or to get revenge. I tried to be positive and forgiving.”
She didn’t bother to give him a copy.
Neither are in a relationship, but Mary considers a reunion unlikely.
“Too much has happened,” she said. “We will stay in contact I hope.”
Mrs Monaghan plans to one day visit Australia. She has several visas in her passport but has never used them.
“I was always ready to hop on a plane should he be found,” she said.
Press
Download News clippings
© Independant.ie
16 July 2007
‘I THOUGHT HE WAS A GHOST’
By Liam Horan and Anne-Marie Walsh
Fourteen years after Mary’s husband vanished, he catches her eye.
FOURTEEN years, hours of crying and one book after her husband walked out on her, Mary Monaghan never expected to see him again.
But the unbelievable happened when he caught her eye on the other side of the world last Saturday.
The stunned author spotted the man who had walked out on her in South Africa in 1993 sauntering down a street in Ballyshannon, Co Donegal.
Speaking last night she said she was speechless when she saw John, now aged 44, for the first time since he told her he was going on a backpacking holiday at the age of 29.
The couple had last seen each other when they were eight years married and living in Johannesburg.
Mary, whose parents came from Ballinrobe in Mayo, and John had met in an Irish club in Cricklewood in London and had emigrated to South Africa. Then one day he announced he was taking three months out to backpack in Australia.
But he never came back.
She managed to get a divorce in 1997 after notifications were advertised in Australian newspapers.
They had not set eyes on one another until last weekend when Mary was dropping copies of her book about her desperate search for the man she loved at a Donegal bookshop.
“It was almost like seeing a ghost. I was expecting to meet John’s aunt Elizabeth Coe, with whom I am in regular touch, but as I was walking towards her on the street, I saw this man getting out of another car, and realised it was John. I couldn’t believe it. “I didn’t say a lot initially – it was like a stunned silence – but his aunt was there and she said maybe we should have something to drink in the local hotel.
“He said he meant to come back to me but things got easier where he was and he was stressed out in Johannesburg. We were in a lot of debt.
“We planned to sell up and buy a smaller house but the banks took most of the money from the older one.
“We talked for over two hours. It was weird. John told me he was ashamed of what he had done. He has been living in Australia, but his relationship with the woman he was living with is over.
“John told me he hasn’t read the book yet, but intends to. He has heard quite a lot about it. He is in Donegal holidaying with his family before returning to Australia. I’m not sure if he was as surprised as I was. He may have heard on the grapevine that I would be in town. I think he felt guilty. We agreed to stay in touch.”
For years, all she got was a birthday card from her ex-husband, who said he planned to come home.
They had spoken just once since his disappearance. There was a phone call in 1998 when he apologised for what he did and explained he was stressed and wanted to start a new life.
Mary said she thinks he was just “burnt out” but there was the added complication that he had met another woman, who had moved in with him Down Under.
John had a child with the other woman, although they later split up.
Mary said she bears no ill will towards the other woman as she does not believe she knew she existed, and still insists that her relationship with John had been good.
Her tale of how she spent years trying to locate her missing husband created a stir when it was published in South Africa last year. ‘Remember Me?’ deals with the difficulties she experienced as she realised he was not returning. Despite the couple’s amicable meeting, they have no plans for a reunion . . .
- – - – - – - – - -
LexisNexis News
© Copyright 2007 MGN Ltd. All Rights Reserved
The Mirror, 3 July 2007
Eire Edition
HUSBAND MISSING FOR 14 YEARS BACK HOME;
AUTHOR WIFE REVEALS HER TORMENT AFTER SHOCK REUNION
By Liam Horan
A WANDERING Irishman who vanished without a trace 14 years ago has had an emotional reunion with his wife.
John Monaghan told his partner Mary he was just going on a three-month trip to Australia in 1993.
But she only set eyes on him for the first time last weekend in a shock reunion in Co Donegal.
The mystery surrounding John’s disappearance prompted Mary to write a book about her quest to find him called Remember Me? which was published a few weeks ago.
She said: “In 1993, we were looking forward to buying and renovating a new house together.
“But first John felt he needed some ‘time out’ before sorting out his business issues and he booked a three-month backpacking holiday in Australia. But he never came back.”
The couple were married for seven years and were living in Johannesburg, South Africa, before he went AWOL. Since his disappearance Mary, 50, discovered John had been involved with at least two other women before he walked out on her.
The book has been selling well in Ireland and has also caused a stir in South Africa where she still lives.
Mary, who was born in England to Co Mayo parents, was delivering copies of the book to a shop in Ballyshannon last Saturday when she met John.
She explained: “I was expecting to meet John’s aunt Elizabeth with whom I am in regular touch.
“But as I was walking towards her, I saw this man getting out of another car and realised it was John.
“We talked for over two hours. It was weird. John told me he was ashamed of what he had done.
“He has been living in Australia though his relationship with the woman he was living with there is now over.
“There was no rancour or bitterness between us, no confrontation.”
At the end of the meeting they shook hands and agreed to stay in touch.
Mary said John, who is in Donegal holidaying with his family before he returns to Australia, “has heard quite a lot about” the book.
Neither are in a current relationship but Mary isn’t keen on a reunion.
She added: “We could never get together again. Too much water has passed under the bridge.”
In her book, Mary tells how she traced John to Sydney with the help of Interpol and private detectives and did speak to him briefly on the phone in 1998.
When he answered Mary said: “Remember me? This is a voice from your past.”
But the line was disconnected before they could continue their conversation.
- – - – - – - – - -
News.com.au
14 July 2007
© Queensland Newspapers
COUPLE’S FREAK REUNION
By Fiona Hudson
FOR 14 years, South African resident Mary Monaghan hunted her vanished husband around the world, aided by private detectives and even Interpol.
A chance meeting on a trip to Ireland this month has finally flushed out her missing partner John and solved the mystery – he’s been living in Sydney and Queensland.
Mrs Monaghan, 50, was delivering copies of her recently published book Remember Me?, about her efforts to find her husband, when she spotted her former partner getting out of a car.
They had an emotional, two-hour reunion in a nearby pub, assisted by several glasses of wine to overcome their shock.
Industrial paint specialist John, 44, told his wife he was on holiday from Queensland to visit relatives in Ireland.
Irish-born Mrs Monaghan, 50, had arranged to meet John’s aunt for a drink that afternoon but the meeting with her estranged husband was entirely coincidental, she said.
“It was obviously meant to happen,” she said yesterday from South Africa.
“It’s bizarre that I was in Ireland because of the book, and that was the catalyst for bringing us back together when we live on opposite sides of the planet.
“I knew one day it was going to happen, that I would meet him. In the end it was quite emotional and upsetting, I wasn’t ready for it. It was quite difficult.”
Her book tells the story of the years spent looking for her missing husband.
John disappeared from their home in Johannesburg after telling his partner he was going on a three-month backpacking trip to Australia in 1993.
When his return flight arrived home without him, she spent thousands of dollars on private investigators.
She claims they tracked him, using credit card transaction records, to a love-nest he shared with another woman in Sydney in 1998.
She rang and had a brief phone conversation and managed to say, “Remember me? This is a voice from your past” before the line went dead.
Desperate for answers, she rang back but a woman answered. She did not hear her husband’s voice again until their Ireland meeting this month.
Her husband had heard of her self-published memoir via relatives.
“He said I’d been nice to him in the book,” she said. “He’s obviously heard about it through friends and family. It wasn’t written to be vindictive or to get revenge. I tried to be positive and forgiving.”
She didn’t bother to give him a copy.
Neither are in a relationship, but Mary considers a reunion unlikely.
“Too much has happened,” she said. “We will stay in contact I hope.”
Mrs Monaghan plans to one day visit Australia. She has several visas in her passport but has never used them.
“I was always ready to hop on a plane should he be found,” she said.
Press
Download News clippings
© Independant.ie
16 July 2007
‘I THOUGHT HE WAS A GHOST’
By Liam Horan and Anne-Marie Walsh
Fourteen years after Mary’s husband vanished, he catches her eye.
FOURTEEN years, hours of crying and one book after her husband walked out on her, Mary Monaghan never expected to see him again.
But the unbelievable happened when he caught her eye on the other side of the world last Saturday.
The stunned author spotted the man who had walked out on her in South Africa in 1993 sauntering down a street in Ballyshannon, Co Donegal.
Speaking last night she said she was speechless when she saw John, now aged 44, for the first time since he told her he was going on a backpacking holiday at the age of 29.
The couple had last seen each other when they were eight years married and living in Johannesburg.
Mary, whose parents came from Ballinrobe in Mayo, and John had met in an Irish club in Cricklewood in London and had emigrated to South Africa. Then one day he announced he was taking three months out to backpack in Australia.
But he never came back.
She managed to get a divorce in 1997 after notifications were advertised in Australian newspapers.
They had not set eyes on one another until last weekend when Mary was dropping copies of her book about her desperate search for the man she loved at a Donegal bookshop.
“It was almost like seeing a ghost. I was expecting to meet John’s aunt Elizabeth Coe, with whom I am in regular touch, but as I was walking towards her on the street, I saw this man getting out of another car, and realised it was John. I couldn’t believe it. “I didn’t say a lot initially – it was like a stunned silence – but his aunt was there and she said maybe we should have something to drink in the local hotel.
“He said he meant to come back to me but things got easier where he was and he was stressed out in Johannesburg. We were in a lot of debt.
“We planned to sell up and buy a smaller house but the banks took most of the money from the older one.
“We talked for over two hours. It was weird. John told me he was ashamed of what he had done. He has been living in Australia, but his relationship with the woman he was living with is over.
“John told me he hasn’t read the book yet, but intends to. He has heard quite a lot about it. He is in Donegal holidaying with his family before returning to Australia. I’m not sure if he was as surprised as I was. He may have heard on the grapevine that I would be in town. I think he felt guilty. We agreed to stay in touch.”
For years, all she got was a birthday card from her ex-husband, who said he planned to come home.
They had spoken just once since his disappearance. There was a phone call in 1998 when he apologised for what he did and explained he was stressed and wanted to start a new life.
Mary said she thinks he was just “burnt out” but there was the added complication that he had met another woman, who had moved in with him Down Under.
John had a child with the other woman, although they later split up.
Mary said she bears no ill will towards the other woman as she does not believe she knew she existed, and still insists that her relationship with John had been good.
Her tale of how she spent years trying to locate her missing husband created a stir when it was published in South Africa last year. ‘Remember Me?’ deals with the difficulties she experienced as she realised he was not returning. Despite the couple’s amicable meeting, they have no plans for a reunion . . .
- – - – - – - – - -
LexisNexis News
© Copyright 2007 MGN Ltd. All Rights Reserved
The Mirror, 3 July 2007
Eire Edition
HUSBAND MISSING FOR 14 YEARS BACK HOME;
AUTHOR WIFE REVEALS HER TORMENT AFTER SHOCK REUNION
By Liam Horan
A WANDERING Irishman who vanished without a trace 14 years ago has had an emotional reunion with his wife.
John Monaghan told his partner Mary he was just going on a three-month trip to Australia in 1993.
But she only set eyes on him for the first time last weekend in a shock reunion in Co Donegal.
The mystery surrounding John’s disappearance prompted Mary to write a book about her quest to find him called Remember Me? which was published a few weeks ago.
She said: “In 1993, we were looking forward to buying and renovating a new house together.
“But first John felt he needed some ‘time out’ before sorting out his business issues and he booked a three-month backpacking holiday in Australia. But he never came back.”
The couple were married for seven years and were living in Johannesburg, South Africa, before he went AWOL. Since his disappearance Mary, 50, discovered John had been involved with at least two other women before he walked out on her.
The book has been selling well in Ireland and has also caused a stir in South Africa where she still lives.
Mary, who was born in England to Co Mayo parents, was delivering copies of the book to a shop in Ballyshannon last Saturday when she met John.
She explained: “I was expecting to meet John’s aunt Elizabeth with whom I am in regular touch.
“But as I was walking towards her, I saw this man getting out of another car and realised it was John.
“We talked for over two hours. It was weird. John told me he was ashamed of what he had done.
“He has been living in Australia though his relationship with the woman he was living with there is now over.
“There was no rancour or bitterness between us, no confrontation.”
At the end of the meeting they shook hands and agreed to stay in touch.
Mary said John, who is in Donegal holidaying with his family before he returns to Australia, “has heard quite a lot about” the book.
Neither are in a current relationship but Mary isn’t keen on a reunion.
She added: “We could never get together again. Too much water has passed under the bridge.”
In her book, Mary tells how she traced John to Sydney with the help of Interpol and private detectives and did speak to him briefly on the phone in 1998.
When he answered Mary said: “Remember me? This is a voice from your past.”
But the line was disconnected before they could continue their conversation.
- – - – - – - – - -
News.com.au
14 July 2007
© Queensland Newspapers
COUPLE’S FREAK REUNION
By Fiona Hudson
FOR 14 years, South African resident Mary Monaghan hunted her vanished husband around the world, aided by private detectives and even Interpol.
A chance meeting on a trip to Ireland this month has finally flushed out her missing partner John and solved the mystery – he’s been living in Sydney and Queensland.
Mrs Monaghan, 50, was delivering copies of her recently published book Remember Me?, about her efforts to find her husband, when she spotted her former partner getting out of a car.
They had an emotional, two-hour reunion in a nearby pub, assisted by several glasses of wine to overcome their shock.
Industrial paint specialist John, 44, told his wife he was on holiday from Queensland to visit relatives in Ireland.
Irish-born Mrs Monaghan, 50, had arranged to meet John’s aunt for a drink that afternoon but the meeting with her estranged husband was entirely coincidental, she said.
“It was obviously meant to happen,” she said yesterday from South Africa.
“It’s bizarre that I was in Ireland because of the book, and that was the catalyst for bringing us back together when we live on opposite sides of the planet.
“I knew one day it was going to happen, that I would meet him. In the end it was quite emotional and upsetting, I wasn’t ready for it. It was quite difficult.”
Her book tells the story of the years spent looking for her missing husband.
John disappeared from their home in Johannesburg after telling his partner he was going on a three-month backpacking trip to Australia in 1993.
When his return flight arrived home without him, she spent thousands of dollars on private investigators.
She claims they tracked him, using credit card transaction records, to a love-nest he shared with another woman in Sydney in 1998.
She rang and had a brief phone conversation and managed to say, “Remember me? This is a voice from your past” before the line went dead.
Desperate for answers, she rang back but a woman answered. She did not hear her husband’s voice again until their Ireland meeting this month.
Her husband had heard of her self-published memoir via relatives.
“He said I’d been nice to him in the book,” she said. “He’s obviously heard about it through friends and family. It wasn’t written to be vindictive or to get revenge. I tried to be positive and forgiving.”
She didn’t bother to give him a copy.
Neither are in a relationship, but Mary considers a reunion unlikely.
“Too much has happened,” she said. “We will stay in contact I hope.”
Mrs Monaghan plans to one day visit Australia. She has several visas in her passport but has never used them.
“I was always ready to hop on a plane should he be found,” she said.
Press
Download News clippings
© Independant.ie
16 July 2007
‘I THOUGHT HE WAS A GHOST’
By Liam Horan and Anne-Marie Walsh
Fourteen years after Mary’s husband vanished, he catches her eye.
FOURTEEN years, hours of crying and one book after her husband walked out on her, Mary Monaghan never expected to see him again.
But the unbelievable happened when he caught her eye on the other side of the world last Saturday.
The stunned author spotted the man who had walked out on her in South Africa in 1993 sauntering down a street in Ballyshannon, Co Donegal.
Speaking last night she said she was speechless when she saw John, now aged 44, for the first time since he told her he was going on a backpacking holiday at the age of 29.
The couple had last seen each other when they were eight years married and living in Johannesburg.
Mary, whose parents came from Ballinrobe in Mayo, and John had met in an Irish club in Cricklewood in London and had emigrated to South Africa. Then one day he announced he was taking three months out to backpack in Australia.
But he never came back.
She managed to get a divorce in 1997 after notifications were advertised in Australian newspapers.
They had not set eyes on one another until last weekend when Mary was dropping copies of her book about her desperate search for the man she loved at a Donegal bookshop.
“It was almost like seeing a ghost. I was expecting to meet John’s aunt Elizabeth Coe, with whom I am in regular touch, but as I was walking towards her on the street, I saw this man getting out of another car, and realised it was John. I couldn’t believe it. “I didn’t say a lot initially – it was like a stunned silence – but his aunt was there and she said maybe we should have something to drink in the local hotel.
“He said he meant to come back to me but things got easier where he was and he was stressed out in Johannesburg. We were in a lot of debt.
“We planned to sell up and buy a smaller house but the banks took most of the money from the older one.
“We talked for over two hours. It was weird. John told me he was ashamed of what he had done. He has been living in Australia, but his relationship with the woman he was living with is over.
“John told me he hasn’t read the book yet, but intends to. He has heard quite a lot about it. He is in Donegal holidaying with his family before returning to Australia. I’m not sure if he was as surprised as I was. He may have heard on the grapevine that I would be in town. I think he felt guilty. We agreed to stay in touch.”
For years, all she got was a birthday card from her ex-husband, who said he planned to come home.
They had spoken just once since his disappearance. There was a phone call in 1998 when he apologised for what he did and explained he was stressed and wanted to start a new life.
Mary said she thinks he was just “burnt out” but there was the added complication that he had met another woman, who had moved in with him Down Under.
John had a child with the other woman, although they later split up.
Mary said she bears no ill will towards the other woman as she does not believe she knew she existed, and still insists that her relationship with John had been good.
Her tale of how she spent years trying to locate her missing husband created a stir when it was published in South Africa last year. ‘Remember Me?’ deals with the difficulties she experienced as she realised he was not returning. Despite the couple’s amicable meeting, they have no plans for a reunion . . .
- – - – - – - – - -
LexisNexis News
© Copyright 2007 MGN Ltd. All Rights Reserved
The Mirror, 3 July 2007
Eire Edition
HUSBAND MISSING FOR 14 YEARS BACK HOME;
AUTHOR WIFE REVEALS HER TORMENT AFTER SHOCK REUNION
By Liam Horan
A WANDERING Irishman who vanished without a trace 14 years ago has had an emotional reunion with his wife.
John Monaghan told his partner Mary he was just going on a three-month trip to Australia in 1993.
But she only set eyes on him for the first time last weekend in a shock reunion in Co Donegal.
The mystery surrounding John’s disappearance prompted Mary to write a book about her quest to find him called Remember Me? which was published a few weeks ago.
She said: “In 1993, we were looking forward to buying and renovating a new house together.
“But first John felt he needed some ‘time out’ before sorting out his business issues and he booked a three-month backpacking holiday in Australia. But he never came back.”
The couple were married for seven years and were living in Johannesburg, South Africa, before he went AWOL. Since his disappearance Mary, 50, discovered John had been involved with at least two other women before he walked out on her.
The book has been selling well in Ireland and has also caused a stir in South Africa where she still lives.
Mary, who was born in England to Co Mayo parents, was delivering copies of the book to a shop in Ballyshannon last Saturday when she met John.
She explained: “I was expecting to meet John’s aunt Elizabeth with whom I am in regular touch.
“But as I was walking towards her, I saw this man getting out of another car and realised it was John.
“We talked for over two hours. It was weird. John told me he was ashamed of what he had done.
“He has been living in Australia though his relationship with the woman he was living with there is now over.
“There was no rancour or bitterness between us, no confrontation.”
At the end of the meeting they shook hands and agreed to stay in touch.
Mary said John, who is in Donegal holidaying with his family before he returns to Australia, “has heard quite a lot about” the book.
Neither are in a current relationship but Mary isn’t keen on a reunion.
She added: “We could never get together again. Too much water has passed under the bridge.”
In her book, Mary tells how she traced John to Sydney with the help of Interpol and private detectives and did speak to him briefly on the phone in 1998.
When he answered Mary said: “Remember me? This is a voice from your past.”
But the line was disconnected before they could continue their conversation.
- – - – - – - – - -
News.com.au
14 July 2007
© Queensland Newspapers
COUPLE’S FREAK REUNION
By Fiona Hudson
FOR 14 years, South African resident Mary Monaghan hunted her vanished husband around the world, aided by private detectives and even Interpol.
A chance meeting on a trip to Ireland this month has finally flushed out her missing partner John and solved the mystery – he’s been living in Sydney and Queensland.
Mrs Monaghan, 50, was delivering copies of her recently published book Remember Me?, about her efforts to find her husband, when she spotted her former partner getting out of a car.
They had an emotional, two-hour reunion in a nearby pub, assisted by several glasses of wine to overcome their shock.
Industrial paint specialist John, 44, told his wife he was on holiday from Queensland to visit relatives in Ireland.
Irish-born Mrs Monaghan, 50, had arranged to meet John’s aunt for a drink that afternoon but the meeting with her estranged husband was entirely coincidental, she said.
“It was obviously meant to happen,” she said yesterday from South Africa.
“It’s bizarre that I was in Ireland because of the book, and that was the catalyst for bringing us back together when we live on opposite sides of the planet.
“I knew one day it was going to happen, that I would meet him. In the end it was quite emotional and upsetting, I wasn’t ready for it. It was quite difficult.”
Her book tells the story of the years spent looking for her missing husband.
John disappeared from their home in Johannesburg after telling his partner he was going on a three-month backpacking trip to Australia in 1993.
When his return flight arrived home without him, she spent thousands of dollars on private investigators.
She claims they tracked him, using credit card transaction records, to a love-nest he shared with another woman in Sydney in 1998.
She rang and had a brief phone conversation and managed to say, “Remember me? This is a voice from your past” before the line went dead.
Desperate for answers, she rang back but a woman answered. She did not hear her husband’s voice again until their Ireland meeting this month.
Her husband had heard of her self-published memoir via relatives.
“He said I’d been nice to him in the book,” she said. “He’s obviously heard about it through friends and family. It wasn’t written to be vindictive or to get revenge. I tried to be positive and forgiving.”
She didn’t bother to give him a copy.
Neither are in a relationship, but Mary considers a reunion unlikely.
“Too much has happened,” she said. “We will stay in contact I hope.”
Mrs Monaghan plans to one day visit Australia. She has several visas in her passport but has never used them.
“I was always ready to hop on a plane should he be found,” she said.
Press
Download News clippings
© Independant.ie
16 July 2007
‘I THOUGHT HE WAS A GHOST’
By Liam Horan and Anne-Marie Walsh
Fourteen years after Mary’s husband vanished, he catches her eye.
FOURTEEN years, hours of crying and one book after her husband walked out on her, Mary Monaghan never expected to see him again.
But the unbelievable happened when he caught her eye on the other side of the world last Saturday.
The stunned author spotted the man who had walked out on her in South Africa in 1993 sauntering down a street in Ballyshannon, Co Donegal.
Speaking last night she said she was speechless when she saw John, now aged 44, for the first time since he told her he was going on a backpacking holiday at the age of 29.
The couple had last seen each other when they were eight years married and living in Johannesburg.
Mary, whose parents came from Ballinrobe in Mayo, and John had met in an Irish club in Cricklewood in London and had emigrated to South Africa. Then one day he announced he was taking three months out to backpack in Australia.
But he never came back.
She managed to get a divorce in 1997 after notifications were advertised in Australian newspapers.
They had not set eyes on one another until last weekend when Mary was dropping copies of her book about her desperate search for the man she loved at a Donegal bookshop.
“It was almost like seeing a ghost. I was expecting to meet John’s aunt Elizabeth Coe, with whom I am in regular touch, but as I was walking towards her on the street, I saw this man getting out of another car, and realised it was John. I couldn’t believe it. “I didn’t say a lot initially – it was like a stunned silence – but his aunt was there and she said maybe we should have something to drink in the local hotel.
“He said he meant to come back to me but things got easier where he was and he was stressed out in Johannesburg. We were in a lot of debt.
“We planned to sell up and buy a smaller house but the banks took most of the money from the older one.
“We talked for over two hours. It was weird. John told me he was ashamed of what he had done. He has been living in Australia, but his relationship with the woman he was living with is over.
“John told me he hasn’t read the book yet, but intends to. He has heard quite a lot about it. He is in Donegal holidaying with his family before returning to Australia. I’m not sure if he was as surprised as I was. He may have heard on the grapevine that I would be in town. I think he felt guilty. We agreed to stay in touch.”
For years, all she got was a birthday card from her ex-husband, who said he planned to come home.
They had spoken just once since his disappearance. There was a phone call in 1998 when he apologised for what he did and explained he was stressed and wanted to start a new life.
Mary said she thinks he was just “burnt out” but there was the added complication that he had met another woman, who had moved in with him Down Under.
John had a child with the other woman, although they later split up.
Mary said she bears no ill will towards the other woman as she does not believe she knew she existed, and still insists that her relationship with John had been good.
Her tale of how she spent years trying to locate her missing husband created a stir when it was published in South Africa last year. ‘Remember Me?’ deals with the difficulties she experienced as she realised he was not returning. Despite the couple’s amicable meeting, they have no plans for a reunion . . .
- – - – - – - – - -
LexisNexis News
© Copyright 2007 MGN Ltd. All Rights Reserved
The Mirror, 3 July 2007
Eire Edition
HUSBAND MISSING FOR 14 YEARS BACK HOME;
AUTHOR WIFE REVEALS HER TORMENT AFTER SHOCK REUNION
By Liam Horan
A WANDERING Irishman who vanished without a trace 14 years ago has had an emotional reunion with his wife.
John Monaghan told his partner Mary he was just going on a three-month trip to Australia in 1993.
But she only set eyes on him for the first time last weekend in a shock reunion in Co Donegal.
The mystery surrounding John’s disappearance prompted Mary to write a book about her quest to find him called Remember Me? which was published a few weeks ago.
She said: “In 1993, we were looking forward to buying and renovating a new house together.
“But first John felt he needed some ‘time out’ before sorting out his business issues and he booked a three-month backpacking holiday in Australia. But he never came back.”
The couple were married for seven years and were living in Johannesburg, South Africa, before he went AWOL. Since his disappearance Mary, 50, discovered John had been involved with at least two other women before he walked out on her.
The book has been selling well in Ireland and has also caused a stir in South Africa where she still lives.
Mary, who was born in England to Co Mayo parents, was delivering copies of the book to a shop in Ballyshannon last Saturday when she met John.
She explained: “I was expecting to meet John’s aunt Elizabeth with whom I am in regular touch.
“But as I was walking towards her, I saw this man getting out of another car and realised it was John.
“We talked for over two hours. It was weird. John told me he was ashamed of what he had done.
“He has been living in Australia though his relationship with the woman he was living with there is now over.
“There was no rancour or bitterness between us, no confrontation.”
At the end of the meeting they shook hands and agreed to stay in touch.
Mary said John, who is in Donegal holidaying with his family before he returns to Australia, “has heard quite a lot about” the book.
Neither are in a current relationship but Mary isn’t keen on a reunion.
She added: “We could never get together again. Too much water has passed under the bridge.”
In her book, Mary tells how she traced John to Sydney with the help of Interpol and private detectives and did speak to him briefly on the phone in 1998.
When he answered Mary said: “Remember me? This is a voice from your past.”
But the line was disconnected before they could continue their conversation.
- – - – - – - – - -
News.com.au
14 July 2007
© Queensland Newspapers
COUPLE’S FREAK REUNION
By Fiona Hudson
FOR 14 years, South African resident Mary Monaghan hunted her vanished husband around the world, aided by private detectives and even Interpol.
A chance meeting on a trip to Ireland this month has finally flushed out her missing partner John and solved the mystery – he’s been living in Sydney and Queensland.
Mrs Monaghan, 50, was delivering copies of her recently published book Remember Me?, about her efforts to find her husband, when she spotted her former partner getting out of a car.
They had an emotional, two-hour reunion in a nearby pub, assisted by several glasses of wine to overcome their shock.
Industrial paint specialist John, 44, told his wife he was on holiday from Queensland to visit relatives in Ireland.
Irish-born Mrs Monaghan, 50, had arranged to meet John’s aunt for a drink that afternoon but the meeting with her estranged husband was entirely coincidental, she said.
“It was obviously meant to happen,” she said yesterday from South Africa.
“It’s bizarre that I was in Ireland because of the book, and that was the catalyst for bringing us back together when we live on opposite sides of the planet.
“I knew one day it was going to happen, that I would meet him. In the end it was quite emotional and upsetting, I wasn’t ready for it. It was quite difficult.”
Her book tells the story of the years spent looking for her missing husband.
John disappeared from their home in Johannesburg after telling his partner he was going on a three-month backpacking trip to Australia in 1993.
When his return flight arrived home without him, she spent thousands of dollars on private investigators.
She claims they tracked him, using credit card transaction records, to a love-nest he shared with another woman in Sydney in 1998.
She rang and had a brief phone conversation and managed to say, “Remember me? This is a voice from your past” before the line went dead.
Desperate for answers, she rang back but a woman answered. She did not hear her husband’s voice again until their Ireland meeting this month.
Her husband had heard of her self-published memoir via relatives.
“He said I’d been nice to him in the book,” she said. “He’s obviously heard about it through friends and family. It wasn’t written to be vindictive or to get revenge. I tried to be positive and forgiving.”
She didn’t bother to give him a copy.
Neither are in a relationship, but Mary considers a reunion unlikely.
“Too much has happened,” she said. “We will stay in contact I hope.”
Mrs Monaghan plans to one day visit Australia. She has several visas in her passport but has never used them.
“I was always ready to hop on a plane should he be found,” she said.
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Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
Suggested retail price : €11-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Stephan Phillips (Pty) Ltd.
Tel: 021 448 9839
info@stephanphillips.com
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
Suggested retail price : €11-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Stephan Phillips (Pty) Ltd.
Tel: 021 448 9839
info@stephanphillips.com
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
Suggested retail price : €11-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Stephan Phillips (Pty) Ltd.
Tel: 021 448 9839
info@stephanphillips.com
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
Shopping Cart
Your shopping cart is currently empty.
Shopping Cart
Your shopping cart is currently empty.
Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
Suggested retail price : R 120-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Stephan Phillips (Pty) Ltd.
Tel: 021 448 9839
info@stephanphillips.com
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
Your shopping cart is currently empty.
Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
Suggested retail price : R 120-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Stephan Phillips (Pty) Ltd.
Tel: 021 448 9839
info@stephanphillips.com
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
Suggested retail price : R 120-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Stephan Phillips (Pty) Ltd.
Tel: 021 448 9839
info@stephanphillips.com
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
Suggested retail price : R 120-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Stephan Phillips (Pty) Ltd.
Tel: 021 448 9839
info@stephanphillips.com
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
Suggested retail price : R 120-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Stephan Phillips (Pty) Ltd.
Tel: 021 448 9839
info@stephanphillips.com
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
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Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
Suggested retail price : R 120-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Stephan Phillips (Pty) Ltd.
Tel: 021 448 9839
info@stephanphillips.com
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
Suggested retail price : R 120-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Stephan Phillips (Pty) Ltd.
Tel: 021 448 9839
info@stephanphillips.com
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
Suggested retail price : R 120-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Stephan Phillips (Pty) Ltd.
Tel: 021 448 9839
info@stephanphillips.com
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
Book Orders
Your shopping cart is currently empty.
Remember Me? at a glance
Suggested retail price : R 120-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Stephan Phillips (Pty) Ltd.
Tel: 021 448 9839
info@stephanphillips.com
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
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Reader Comments
Comment: Excellent Read – I was told of Mary’s story by a mutual friend/acquaintence who gave me her book to read yesterday, needless to say I completed it wthin a few hours imbetween nursing my baby.
Astonishing is the callous and cowardice of her husband John who abandons her with heaps of debt.
Amazing is Mary’s courage love and patience and hope, which endures, but is wasted on John.
Mary, your story is such an inspiration ….
“May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand”
Name: Tanya
Date: 14-Aug-2008
- – - – - – - – - -
Comment: ive just heard your story on radio scotland with kay adams and ive just ordered your book cant wait to read it.
Name: Ac
Date: 24-Feb-2008
- – - – - – - – - -
Comment: Mary
Just finished your book. A Great Read.
What a Wally John is…..
Name: Siobhan M.
Date: 5-Feb-2008
- – - – - – - – - -
Comment: You’re a Saint Mary! Thoroughly enjoyed your book and can’t wait for a follow-up book with some happy moments for you to share with us.
Name: Therese (australia)
Date: 6-Dec-2007
- – - – - – - – - -
Comment: i loved your book. i kept reading and reading til i finished. really enjoyed it well done Mary. Cant wait for your next book
Name: Maggie
Date: 10-Nov-2007
- – - – - – - – - -
Comment: you should had left much earlier.At least after
you should had left much earlier.After six months at the most….
Name: Sylvia A.
Date: 3-Nov-2007
- – - – - – - – - -
Comment: I heard your interview last night (15/07/07) on BBC Radio 5, I think your attitude and what you have been through is a true inspiration. I am ordering your book now!
Name: Katie S.
Date: 16-Jul-2007
- – - – - – - – - -
Comment: I heard your electric interview on Gerry Ryan. Truly captivating – you are obviously a great storyteller. What struck me most was your capacity for compassion and forgiveness – a complete willingness for understanding. It was inspiring. Take care and good luck.
Date: 15-Jul-2007
- – - – - – - – - -
Comment: What an amazing story – poignant and brave. A true story of survival against the odds – told with compassion and great intelligence. A very compelling read. My book of the year.
Name: Marian M.
Date: 11-Jul-2007
- – - – - – - – - -
Comment: I enjoyed reading it, very interesting.
Well done !
Name: Bridie R.
Date: 30-Jun-2007
- – - – - – - – - -
Comment: Loved the book, very interesting, Your an inspiring Lady
Name: Mary W.
Date: 24-Jun-2007
- – - – - – - – - -
Comment: What a story! What a girl! What can one say but well done you’re a star.
Name: Judy B.
Date: 8-Jun-2007
- – - – - – - – - -
Comment: Loved the book. I couldn’t put it down till I had finished it. Well done ! I am now waiting for the next book, don’t keep us waiting too long!
Name: Ann K.
Date: 2-Jun-2007
- – - – - – - – - -
Comment: What an inspiring story.
Name: Andrea K.
Date: 31-May-2007
- – - – - – - – - -
Want to submit a comment? Click here
Reader Comments
Comment: Excellent Read – I was told of Mary’s story by a mutual friend/acquaintence who gave me her book to read yesterday, needless to say I completed it wthin a few hours imbetween nursing my baby.
Astonishing is the callous and cowardice of her husband John who abandons her with heaps of debt.
Amazing is Mary’s courage love and patience and hope, which endures, but is wasted on John.
Mary, your story is such an inspiration ….
“May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand”
Name: Tanya
Date: 14-Aug-2008
- – - – - – - – - -
Comment: ive just heard your story on radio scotland with kay adams and ive just ordered your book cant wait to read it.
Name: Ac
Date: 24-Feb-2008
- – - – - – - – - -
Comment: Mary
Just finished your book. A Great Read.
What a Wally John is…..
Name: Siobhan M.
Date: 5-Feb-2008
- – - – - – - – - -
Comment: You’re a Saint Mary! Thoroughly enjoyed your book and can’t wait for a follow-up book with some happy moments for you to share with us.
Name: Therese (australia)
Date: 6-Dec-2007
- – - – - – - – - -
Comment: i loved your book. i kept reading and reading til i finished. really enjoyed it well done Mary. Cant wait for your next book
Name: Maggie
Date: 10-Nov-2007
- – - – - – - – - -
Comment: you should had left much earlier.At least after
you should had left much earlier.After six months at the most….
Name: Sylvia A.
Date: 3-Nov-2007
- – - – - – - – - -
Comment: I heard your interview last night (15/07/07) on BBC Radio 5, I think your attitude and what you have been through is a true inspiration. I am ordering your book now!
Name: Katie S.
Date: 16-Jul-2007
- – - – - – - – - -
Comment: I heard your electric interview on Gerry Ryan. Truly captivating – you are obviously a great storyteller. What struck me most was your capacity for compassion and forgiveness – a complete willingness for understanding. It was inspiring. Take care and good luck.
Date: 15-Jul-2007
- – - – - – - – - -
Comment: What an amazing story – poignant and brave. A true story of survival against the odds – told with compassion and great intelligence. A very compelling read. My book of the year.
Name: Marian M.
Date: 11-Jul-2007
- – - – - – - – - -
Comment: I enjoyed reading it, very interesting.
Well done !
Name: Bridie R.
Date: 30-Jun-2007
- – - – - – - – - -
Comment: Loved the book, very interesting, Your an inspiring Lady
Name: Mary W.
Date: 24-Jun-2007
- – - – - – - – - -
Comment: What a story! What a girl! What can one say but well done you’re a star.
Name: Judy B.
Date: 8-Jun-2007
- – - – - – - – - -
Comment: Loved the book. I couldn’t put it down till I had finished it. Well done ! I am now waiting for the next book, don’t keep us waiting too long!
Name: Ann K.
Date: 2-Jun-2007
- – - – - – - – - -
Comment: What an inspiring story.
Name: Andrea K.
Date: 31-May-2007
- – - – - – - – - -
Want to submit a comment? Click here
Press
© Independant.ie
16 July 2007
‘I THOUGHT HE WAS A GHOST’
By Liam Horan and Anne-Marie Walsh
Fourteen years after Mary’s husband vanished, he catches her eye.
FOURTEEN years, hours of crying and one book after her husband walked out on her, Mary Monaghan never expected to see him again.
But the unbelievable happened when he caught her eye on the other side of the world last Saturday.
The stunned author spotted the man who had walked out on her in South Africa in 1993 sauntering down a street in Ballyshannon, Co Donegal.
Speaking last night she said she was speechless when she saw John, now aged 44, for the first time since he told her he was going on a backpacking holiday at the age of 29.
The couple had last seen each other when they were eight years married and living in Johannesburg.
Mary, whose parents came from Ballinrobe in Mayo, and John had met in an Irish club in Cricklewood in London and had emigrated to South Africa. Then one day he announced he was taking three months out to backpack in Australia.
But he never came back.
She managed to get a divorce in 1997 after notifications were advertised in Australian newspapers.
They had not set eyes on one another until last weekend when Mary was dropping copies of her book about her desperate search for the man she loved at a Donegal bookshop.
“It was almost like seeing a ghost. I was expecting to meet John’s aunt Elizabeth Coe, with whom I am in regular touch, but as I was walking towards her on the street, I saw this man getting out of another car, and realised it was John. I couldn’t believe it. “I didn’t say a lot initially – it was like a stunned silence – but his aunt was there and she said maybe we should have something to drink in the local hotel.
“He said he meant to come back to me but things got easier where he was and he was stressed out in Johannesburg. We were in a lot of debt.
“We planned to sell up and buy a smaller house but the banks took most of the money from the older one.
“We talked for over two hours. It was weird. John told me he was ashamed of what he had done. He has been living in Australia, but his relationship with the woman he was living with is over.
“John told me he hasn’t read the book yet, but intends to. He has heard quite a lot about it. He is in Donegal holidaying with his family before returning to Australia. I’m not sure if he was as surprised as I was. He may have heard on the grapevine that I would be in town. I think he felt guilty. We agreed to stay in touch.”
For years, all she got was a birthday card from her ex-husband, who said he planned to come home.
They had spoken just once since his disappearance. There was a phone call in 1998 when he apologised for what he did and explained he was stressed and wanted to start a new life.
Mary said she thinks he was just “burnt out” but there was the added complication that he had met another woman, who had moved in with him Down Under.
John had a child with the other woman, although they later split up.
Mary said she bears no ill will towards the other woman as she does not believe she knew she existed, and still insists that her relationship with John had been good.
Her tale of how she spent years trying to locate her missing husband created a stir when it was published in South Africa last year. ‘Remember Me?’ deals with the difficulties she experienced as she realised he was not returning. Despite the couple’s amicable meeting, they have no plans for a reunion . . .
- – - – - – - – - -
LexisNexis News
© Copyright 2007 MGN Ltd. All Rights Reserved
The Mirror, 3 July 2007
Eire Edition
HUSBAND MISSING FOR 14 YEARS BACK HOME;
AUTHOR WIFE REVEALS HER TORMENT AFTER SHOCK REUNION
By Liam Horan
A WANDERING Irishman who vanished without a trace 14 years ago has had an emotional reunion with his wife.
John Monaghan told his partner Mary he was just going on a three-month trip to Australia in 1993.
But she only set eyes on him for the first time last weekend in a shock reunion in Co Donegal.
The mystery surrounding John’s disappearance prompted Mary to write a book about her quest to find him called Remember Me? which was published a few weeks ago.
She said: “In 1993, we were looking forward to buying and renovating a new house together.
“But first John felt he needed some ‘time out’ before sorting out his business issues and he booked a three-month backpacking holiday in Australia. But he never came back.”
The couple were married for seven years and were living in Johannesburg, South Africa, before he went AWOL. Since his disappearance Mary, 50, discovered John had been involved with at least two other women before he walked out on her.
The book has been selling well in Ireland and has also caused a stir in South Africa where she still lives.
Mary, who was born in England to Co Mayo parents, was delivering copies of the book to a shop in Ballyshannon last Saturday when she met John.
She explained: “I was expecting to meet John’s aunt Elizabeth with whom I am in regular touch.
“But as I was walking towards her, I saw this man getting out of another car and realised it was John.
“We talked for over two hours. It was weird. John told me he was ashamed of what he had done.
“He has been living in Australia though his relationship with the woman he was living with there is now over.
“There was no rancour or bitterness between us, no confrontation.”
At the end of the meeting they shook hands and agreed to stay in touch.
Mary said John, who is in Donegal holidaying with his family before he returns to Australia, “has heard quite a lot about” the book.
Neither are in a current relationship but Mary isn’t keen on a reunion.
She added: “We could never get together again. Too much water has passed under the bridge.”
In her book, Mary tells how she traced John to Sydney with the help of Interpol and private detectives and did speak to him briefly on the phone in 1998.
When he answered Mary said: “Remember me? This is a voice from your past.”
But the line was disconnected before they could continue their conversation.
- – - – - – - – - -
News.com.au
14 July 2007
© Queensland Newspapers
COUPLE’S FREAK REUNION
By Fiona Hudson
FOR 14 years, South African resident Mary Monaghan hunted her vanished husband around the world, aided by private detectives and even Interpol.
A chance meeting on a trip to Ireland this month has finally flushed out her missing partner John and solved the mystery – he’s been living in Sydney and Queensland.
Mrs Monaghan, 50, was delivering copies of her recently published book Remember Me?, about her efforts to find her husband, when she spotted her former partner getting out of a car.
They had an emotional, two-hour reunion in a nearby pub, assisted by several glasses of wine to overcome their shock.
Industrial paint specialist John, 44, told his wife he was on holiday from Queensland to visit relatives in Ireland.
Irish-born Mrs Monaghan, 50, had arranged to meet John’s aunt for a drink that afternoon but the meeting with her estranged husband was entirely coincidental, she said.
“It was obviously meant to happen,” she said yesterday from South Africa.
“It’s bizarre that I was in Ireland because of the book, and that was the catalyst for bringing us back together when we live on opposite sides of the planet.
“I knew one day it was going to happen, that I would meet him. In the end it was quite emotional and upsetting, I wasn’t ready for it. It was quite difficult.”
Her book tells the story of the years spent looking for her missing husband.
John disappeared from their home in Johannesburg after telling his partner he was going on a three-month backpacking trip to Australia in 1993.
When his return flight arrived home without him, she spent thousands of dollars on private investigators.
She claims they tracked him, using credit card transaction records, to a love-nest he shared with another woman in Sydney in 1998.
She rang and had a brief phone conversation and managed to say, “Remember me? This is a voice from your past” before the line went dead.
Desperate for answers, she rang back but a woman answered. She did not hear her husband’s voice again until their Ireland meeting this month.
Her husband had heard of her self-published memoir via relatives.
“He said I’d been nice to him in the book,” she said. “He’s obviously heard about it through friends and family. It wasn’t written to be vindictive or to get revenge. I tried to be positive and forgiving.”
She didn’t bother to give him a copy.
Neither are in a relationship, but Mary considers a reunion unlikely.
“Too much has happened,” she said. “We will stay in contact I hope.”
Mrs Monaghan plans to one day visit Australia. She has several visas in her passport but has never used them.
“I was always ready to hop on a plane should he be found,” she said.
Book Orders
Remember Me? at a glance
Suggested retail price : R 120-00
Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover)
Author : Mary Monaghan
Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001
Publisher : Tortoise Press
Distribution South Africa: Stephan Phillips (Pty) Ltd.
Tel: 021 448 9839
info@stephanphillips.com
Distribution UK: mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk
Global Distribution:
www.kennys.ie
www.kalahari.net
Book Orders
| Remember Me? at a glance |
|
| Suggested retail price : R 120-00 |
| Number of pages : 154 pages (soft cover) |
| Author : Mary Monaghan |
| Cover : Copy of original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay painted in 2001 |
| Publisher : Tortoise Press |
| Distribution South Africa: |
Stephan Phillips (Pty) Ltd. |
|
Tel: 021 448 9839 |
|
info@stephanphillips.com |
|
|
| Distribution UK: |
mkbooks@tiscali.co.uk |
|
|
| Global Distribution: |
|
|
My Story
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Chicca’s Story
Dear Mary Monaghan,
I am an Italian girl who now lives back home in Genova, Italy, but who lived in Ireland for a few years from 1993 to 1996. Last night I listened to the Gerry Adams programme on the Internet and I was shocked to hear your story, which I also recorded. I immediately asked a friend who’s now in England to buy me your book.
I swear I was in tears when I heard it as unfortunately I had a similar one with my ex-Irish boyfriend I was almost engaged with for almost 5 years, from 1993 to 1997. He disappeared on me when I was in Italy and he was in Ireland. On Easter 1997 he said to me “I’ll call you Wednesday, I love you” and never heard from him for two years. Months later his father told me he had gone to live with another woman. Two years later, when I managed to speak to him again, he told me he had just had a child from her. I was devasted looking for him first and finding out what he had done then.
What’s worse, he rang me again this year (after 9 years!) to say he was so sorry and he wanted to go back as he loved me and he had left the girlfriend as he hated her. Well, after two months of emails he had been sending me, I rang his parents’s house and his mother told me he was still living with that girs as he was married!!
What’s wrong with these guys?? I think Gerry is right, they have psychiatric problems!
“Sing me a love song, drop me a line, suppose it’s just a point of view” sings Robbie Williams in No Regrets.
I can’t wait to read your book and thank you for telling your story and writing about it. I could never do anything to retaliate against that guy, but yesterday I thought that speaking about it on the Irish radio would just be the thing to do as we didn’t deserve all this!
I hope your path of love is now going smoothly for you and that you have some nice male company. I never really recovered from what happened as I have totally lost trust in men.
Best of luck with your book!
Chicca
My Story
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My Story
Book Details
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
Burdened by his requirement that she sell their home to purchase one in a rundown area and by the need to keep performing at work to meet his debts, she becomes angry, finally, that while she is struggling to exist, he continues to run up entertainment charges on his Diners Card, her only means of knowing his whereabouts. But her anger is mixed with anxiety about his safety: she believes in him and his love for her. Supported by her faith, her Irish family, loyal friends – male and female – and by colleagues, she is able slowly, painfully, to move on to a new career and a new home. Not until she has discovered the answers to her questions, however, can the person she has become settle into her new life.
This deeply moving, candidly recounted story will resonate in the lives of readers, acting as encouragement to move beyond the circumstances of their own misfortune.
Download poem here (pdf)
Book Details
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
Burdened by his requirement that she sell their home to purchase one in a rundown area and by the need to keep performing at work to meet his debts, she becomes angry, finally, that while she is struggling to exist, he continues to run up entertainment charges on his Diners Card, her only means of knowing his whereabouts. But her anger is mixed with anxiety about his safety: she believes in him and his love for her. Supported by her faith, her Irish family, loyal friends – male and female – and by colleagues, she is able slowly, painfully, to move on to a new career and a new home. Not until she has discovered the answers to her questions, however, can the person she has become settle into her new life.
This deeply moving, candidly recounted story will resonate in the lives of readers, acting as encouragement to move beyond the circumstances of their own misfortune.
Book Details
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
Burdened by his requirement that she sell their home to purchase one in a rundown area and by the need to keep performing at work to meet his debts, she becomes angry, finally, that while she is struggling to exist, he continues to run up entertainment charges on his Diners Card, her only means of knowing his whereabouts. But her anger is mixed with anxiety about his safety: she believes in him and his love for her. Supported by her faith, her Irish family, loyal friends – male and female – and by colleagues, she is able slowly, painfully, to move on to a new career and a new home. Not until she has discovered the answers to her questions, however, can the person she has become settle into her new life.
This deeply moving, candidly recounted story will resonate in the lives of readers, acting as encouragement to move beyond the circumstances of their own misfortune.
Book Details
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
Burdened by his requirement that she sell their home to purchase one in a rundown area and by the need to keep performing at work to meet his debts, she becomes angry, finally, that while she is struggling to exist, he continues to run up entertainment charges on his Diners Card, her only means of knowing his whereabouts. But her anger is mixed with anxiety about his safety: she believes in him and his love for her. Supported by her faith, her Irish family, loyal friends – male and female – and by colleagues, she is able slowly, painfully, to move on to a new career and a new home. Not until she has discovered the answers to her questions, however, can the person she has become settle into her new life.
This deeply moving, candidly recounted story will resonate in the lives of readers, acting as encouragement to move beyond the circumstances of their own misfortune.
Book Details
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
Burdened by his requirement that she sell their home to purchase one in a rundown area and by the need to keep performing at work to meet his debts, she becomes angry, finally, that while she is struggling to exist, he continues to run up entertainment charges on his Diners Card, her only means of knowing his whereabouts. But her anger is mixed with anxiety about his safety: she believes in him and his love for her. Supported by her faith, her Irish family, loyal friends – male and female – and by colleagues, she is able slowly, painfully, to move on to a new career and a new home. Not until she has discovered the answers to her questions, however, can the person she has become settle into her new life.
This deeply moving, candidly recounted story will resonate in the lives of readers, acting as encouragement to move beyond the circumstances of their own misfortune.
Book Details
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
Burdened by his requirement that she sell their home to purchase one in a rundown area and by the need to keep performing at work to meet his debts, she becomes angry, finally, that while she is struggling to exist, he continues to run up entertainment charges on his Diners Card, her only means of knowing his whereabouts. But her anger is mixed with anxiety about his safety: she believes in him and his love for her. Supported by her faith, her Irish family, loyal friends – male and female – and by colleagues, she is able slowly, painfully, to move on to a new career and a new home. Not until she has discovered the answers to her questions, however, can the person she has become settle into her new life.
This deeply moving, candidly recounted story will resonate in the lives of readers, acting as encouragement to move beyond the circumstances of their own misfortune.
Book Details
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
Burdened by his requirement that she sell their home to purchase one in a rundown area and by the need to keep performing at work to meet his debts, she becomes angry, finally, that while she is struggling to exist, he continues to run up entertainment charges on his Diners Card, her only means of knowing his whereabouts. But her anger is mixed with anxiety about his safety: she believes in him and his love for her. Supported by her faith, her Irish family, loyal friends – male and female – and by colleagues, she is able slowly, painfully, to move on to a new career and a new home. Not until she has discovered the answers to her questions, however, can the person she has become settle into her new life.
This deeply moving, candidly recounted story will resonate in the lives of readers, acting as encouragement to move beyond the circumstances of their own misfortune.
Book Details
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
Burdened by his requirement that she sell their home to purchase one in a rundown area and by the need to keep performing at work to meet his debts, she becomes angry, finally, that while she is struggling to exist, he continues to run up entertainment charges on his Diners Card, her only means of knowing his whereabouts. But her anger is mixed with anxiety about his safety: she believes in him and his love for her. Supported by her faith, her Irish family, loyal friends – male and female – and by colleagues, she is able slowly, painfully, to move on to a new career and a new home. Not until she has discovered the answers to her questions, however, can the person she has become settle into her new life.
This deeply moving, candidly recounted story will resonate in the lives of readers, acting as encouragement to move beyond the circumstances of their own misfortune.
Book Details
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
Burdened by his requirement that she sell their home to purchase one in a rundown area and by the need to keep performing at work to meet his debts, she becomes angry, finally, that while she is struggling to exist, he continues to run up entertainment charges on his Diners Card, her only means of knowing his whereabouts. But her anger is mixed with anxiety about his safety: she believes in him and his love for her. Supported by her faith, her Irish family, loyal friends – male and female – and by colleagues, she is able slowly, painfully, to move on to a new career and a new home. Not until she has discovered the answers to her questions, however, can the person she has become settle into her new life.
This deeply moving, candidly recounted story will resonate in the lives of readers, acting as encouragement to move beyond the circumstances of their own misfortune.
Book Details
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
Burdened by his requirement that she sell their home to purchase one in a rundown area and by the need to keep performing at work to meet his debts, she becomes angry, finally, that while she is struggling to exist, he continues to run up entertainment charges on his Diners Card, her only means of knowing his whereabouts. But her anger is mixed with anxiety about his safety: she believes in him and his love for her. Supported by her faith, her Irish family, loyal friends – male and female – and by colleagues, she is able slowly, painfully, to move on to a new career and a new home. Not until she has discovered the answers to her questions, however, can the person she has become settle into her new life.
This deeply moving, candidly recounted story will resonate in the lives of readers, acting as encouragement to move beyond the circumstances of their own misfortune.
Book Details
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
Burdened by his requirement that she sell their home to purchase one in a rundown area and by the need to keep performing at work to meet his debts, she becomes angry, finally, that while she is struggling to exist, he continues to run up entertainment charges on his Diners Card, her only means of knowing his whereabouts. But her anger is mixed with anxiety about his safety: she believes in him and his love for her. Supported by her faith, her Irish family, loyal friends – male and female – and by colleagues, she is able slowly, painfully, to move on to a new career and a new home. Not until she has discovered the answers to her questions, however, can the person she has become settle into her new life.
This deeply moving, candidly recounted story will resonate in the lives of readers, acting as encouragement to move beyond the circumstances of their own misfortune.
Book Details
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
Burdened by his requirement that she sell their home to purchase one in a rundown area and by the need to keep performing at work to meet his debts, she becomes angry, finally, that while she is struggling to exist, he continues to run up entertainment charges on his Diners Card, her only means of knowing his whereabouts. But her anger is mixed with anxiety about his safety: she believes in him and his love for her. Supported by her faith, her Irish family, loyal friends – male and female – and by colleagues, she is able slowly, painfully, to move on to a new career and a new home. Not until she has discovered the answers to her questions, however, can the person she has become settle into her new life.
This deeply moving, candidly recounted story will resonate in the lives of readers, acting as encouragement to move beyond the circumstances of their own misfortune.
Book Details
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
Burdened by his requirement that she sell their home to purchase one in a rundown area and by the need to keep performing at work to meet his debts, she becomes angry, finally, that while she is struggling to exist, he continues to run up entertainment charges on his Diners Card, her only means of knowing his whereabouts. But her anger is mixed with anxiety about his safety: she believes in him and his love for her. Supported by her faith, her Irish family, loyal friends – male and female – and by colleagues, she is able slowly, painfully, to move on to a new career and a new home. Not until she has discovered the answers to her questions, however, can the person she has become settle into her new life.
This deeply moving, candidly recounted story will resonate in the lives of readers, acting as encouragement to move beyond the circumstances of their own misfortune.
Book Details
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
Burdened by his requirement that she sell their home to purchase one in a rundown area and by the need to keep performing at work to meet his debts, she becomes angry, finally, that while she is struggling to exist, he continues to run up entertainment charges on his Diners Card, her only means of knowing his whereabouts. But her anger is mixed with anxiety about his safety: she believes in him and his love for her. Supported by her faith, her Irish family, loyal friends – male and female – and by colleagues, she is able slowly, painfully, to move on to a new career and a new home. Not until she has discovered the answers to her questions, however, can the person she has become settle into her new life.
This deeply moving, candidly recounted story will resonate in the lives of readers, acting as encouragement to move beyond the circumstances of their own misfortune.
Book Preview PDF
Book Details
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
Burdened by his requirement that she sell their home to purchase one in a rundown area and by the need to keep performing at work to meet his debts, she becomes angry, finally, that while she is struggling to exist, he continues to run up entertainment charges on his Diners Card, her only means of knowing his whereabouts. But her anger is mixed with anxiety about his safety: she believes in him and his love for her. Supported by her faith, her Irish family, loyal friends – male and female – and by colleagues, she is able slowly, painfully, to move on to a new career and a new home. Not until she has discovered the answers to her questions, however, can the person she has become settle into her new life.
This deeply moving, candidly recounted story will resonate in the lives of readers, acting as encouragement to move beyond the circumstances of their own misfortune.
Book Details
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
Burdened by his requirement that she sell their home to purchase one in a rundown area and by the need to keep performing at work to meet his debts, she becomes angry, finally, that while she is struggling to exist, he continues to run up entertainment charges on his Diners Card, her only means of knowing his whereabouts. But her anger is mixed with anxiety about his safety: she believes in him and his love for her. Supported by her faith, her Irish family, loyal friends – male and female – and by colleagues, she is able slowly, painfully, to move on to a new career and a new home. Not until she has discovered the answers to her questions, however, can the person she has become settle into her new life.
This deeply moving, candidly recounted story will resonate in the lives of readers, acting as encouragement to move beyond the circumstances of their own misfortune.
About
About Mary Monaghan
Mary Monaghan’s roots are in Ireland, born to parents from Ballinrobe, Co.Mayo, Ireland. She was educated at St. Mary’s Convent Cambridge and studied for a degree in languages at Westfield College, University of London.
She moved to South Africa in 1981, pursuing a career in Johannesburg before moving to Cape Town in 2000. She currently divides her time between her beach cottage facing the sea in Grotto Bay and Cape Town. She pursues varied interests both commercial and personal with a particular passion for making a difference in the HIV and Aids field and continues to write, learn new languages and travel extensively.
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This is an example of a WordPress page, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many pages like this one or sub-pages as you like and manage all of your content inside of WordPress.
Blog
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Live Interviews
Download live interviews with Mary
• Kaye Adams: BBC Radio Scotland (11.4mb) (m4a)
• Tommy Marren: Midwest Radio
part 1 (904 kb) | part 2 (738 kb) (mp3) | part 3 (338 kb)
• Gerry Ryan: RTE Radio
part 1 (1.58 MB) | part 2 (353 kb) (mp3)
• Stephen Nolan: BBC Radio 5
part 1 (832 kb) | part 2 (1.47 MB) (mp3)
• The Power Within: SABC TV
part 1 (2 MB) | part 2 (2.62 MB)
• Morning Live: SABC TV
part 1 (1.62 MB) | part 2 (1.9 MB) (wmv)
• Kate Turkington: Radio 702 (2.5 MB) (mp3)
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Interviews
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Reader Comments
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Press
© Independant.ie
16 July 2007
‘I THOUGHT HE WAS A GHOST’
By Liam Horan and Anne-Marie Walsh
Fourteen years after Mary’s husband vanished, he catches her eye.
FOURTEEN years, hours of crying and one book after her husband walked out on her, Mary Monaghan never expected to see him again.
But the unbelievable happened when he caught her eye on the other side of the world last Saturday.
The stunned author spotted the man who had walked out on her in South Africa in 1993 sauntering down a street in Ballyshannon, Co Donegal.
Speaking last night she said she was speechless when she saw John, now aged 44, for the first time since he told her he was going on a backpacking holiday at the age of 29.
The couple had last seen each other when they were eight years married and living in Johannesburg.
Mary, whose parents came from Ballinrobe in Mayo, and John had met in an Irish club in Cricklewood in London and had emigrated to South Africa. Then one day he announced he was taking three months out to backpack in Australia.
But he never came back.
She managed to get a divorce in 1997 after notifications were advertised in Australian newspapers.
They had not set eyes on one another until last weekend when Mary was dropping copies of her book about her desperate search for the man she loved at a Donegal bookshop.
“It was almost like seeing a ghost. I was expecting to meet John’s aunt Elizabeth Coe, with whom I am in regular touch, but as I was walking towards her on the street, I saw this man getting out of another car, and realised it was John. I couldn’t believe it. “I didn’t say a lot initially – it was like a stunned silence – but his aunt was there and she said maybe we should have something to drink in the local hotel.
“He said he meant to come back to me but things got easier where he was and he was stressed out in Johannesburg. We were in a lot of debt.
“We planned to sell up and buy a smaller house but the banks took most of the money from the older one.
“We talked for over two hours. It was weird. John told me he was ashamed of what he had done. He has been living in Australia, but his relationship with the woman he was living with is over.
“John told me he hasn’t read the book yet, but intends to. He has heard quite a lot about it. He is in Donegal holidaying with his family before returning to Australia. I’m not sure if he was as surprised as I was. He may have heard on the grapevine that I would be in town. I think he felt guilty. We agreed to stay in touch.”
For years, all she got was a birthday card from her ex-husband, who said he planned to come home.
They had spoken just once since his disappearance. There was a phone call in 1998 when he apologised for what he did and explained he was stressed and wanted to start a new life.
Mary said she thinks he was just “burnt out” but there was the added complication that he had met another woman, who had moved in with him Down Under.
John had a child with the other woman, although they later split up.
Mary said she bears no ill will towards the other woman as she does not believe she knew she existed, and still insists that her relationship with John had been good.
Her tale of how she spent years trying to locate her missing husband created a stir when it was published in South Africa last year. ‘Remember Me?’ deals with the difficulties she experienced as she realised he was not returning. Despite the couple’s amicable meeting, they have no plans for a reunion . . .
- – - – - – - – - -
LexisNexis News
© Copyright 2007 MGN Ltd. All Rights Reserved
The Mirror, 3 July 2007
Eire Edition
HUSBAND MISSING FOR 14 YEARS BACK HOME;
AUTHOR WIFE REVEALS HER TORMENT AFTER SHOCK REUNION
By Liam Horan
A WANDERING Irishman who vanished without a trace 14 years ago has had an emotional reunion with his wife.
John Monaghan told his partner Mary he was just going on a three-month trip to Australia in 1993.
But she only set eyes on him for the first time last weekend in a shock reunion in Co Donegal.
The mystery surrounding John’s disappearance prompted Mary to write a book about her quest to find him called Remember Me? which was published a few weeks ago.
She said: “In 1993, we were looking forward to buying and renovating a new house together.
“But first John felt he needed some ‘time out’ before sorting out his business issues and he booked a three-month backpacking holiday in Australia. But he never came back.”
The couple were married for seven years and were living in Johannesburg, South Africa, before he went AWOL. Since his disappearance Mary, 50, discovered John had been involved with at least two other women before he walked out on her.
The book has been selling well in Ireland and has also caused a stir in South Africa where she still lives.
Mary, who was born in England to Co Mayo parents, was delivering copies of the book to a shop in Ballyshannon last Saturday when she met John.
She explained: “I was expecting to meet John’s aunt Elizabeth with whom I am in regular touch.
“But as I was walking towards her, I saw this man getting out of another car and realised it was John.
“We talked for over two hours. It was weird. John told me he was ashamed of what he had done.
“He has been living in Australia though his relationship with the woman he was living with there is now over.
“There was no rancour or bitterness between us, no confrontation.”
At the end of the meeting they shook hands and agreed to stay in touch.
Mary said John, who is in Donegal holidaying with his family before he returns to Australia, “has heard quite a lot about” the book.
Neither are in a current relationship but Mary isn’t keen on a reunion.
She added: “We could never get together again. Too much water has passed under the bridge.”
In her book, Mary tells how she traced John to Sydney with the help of Interpol and private detectives and did speak to him briefly on the phone in 1998.
When he answered Mary said: “Remember me? This is a voice from your past.”
But the line was disconnected before they could continue their conversation.
- – - – - – - – - -
News.com.au
14 July 2007
© Queensland Newspapers
COUPLE’S FREAK REUNION
By Fiona Hudson
FOR 14 years, South African resident Mary Monaghan hunted her vanished husband around the world, aided by private detectives and even Interpol.
A chance meeting on a trip to Ireland this month has finally flushed out her missing partner John and solved the mystery – he’s been living in Sydney and Queensland.
Mrs Monaghan, 50, was delivering copies of her recently published book Remember Me?, about her efforts to find her husband, when she spotted her former partner getting out of a car.
They had an emotional, two-hour reunion in a nearby pub, assisted by several glasses of wine to overcome their shock.
Industrial paint specialist John, 44, told his wife he was on holiday from Queensland to visit relatives in Ireland.
Irish-born Mrs Monaghan, 50, had arranged to meet John’s aunt for a drink that afternoon but the meeting with her estranged husband was entirely coincidental, she said.
“It was obviously meant to happen,” she said yesterday from South Africa.
“It’s bizarre that I was in Ireland because of the book, and that was the catalyst for bringing us back together when we live on opposite sides of the planet.
“I knew one day it was going to happen, that I would meet him. In the end it was quite emotional and upsetting, I wasn’t ready for it. It was quite difficult.”
Her book tells the story of the years spent looking for her missing husband.
John disappeared from their home in Johannesburg after telling his partner he was going on a three-month backpacking trip to Australia in 1993.
When his return flight arrived home without him, she spent thousands of dollars on private investigators.
She claims they tracked him, using credit card transaction records, to a love-nest he shared with another woman in Sydney in 1998.
She rang and had a brief phone conversation and managed to say, “Remember me? This is a voice from your past” before the line went dead.
Desperate for answers, she rang back but a woman answered. She did not hear her husband’s voice again until their Ireland meeting this month.
Her husband had heard of her self-published memoir via relatives.
“He said I’d been nice to him in the book,” she said. “He’s obviously heard about it through friends and family. It wasn’t written to be vindictive or to get revenge. I tried to be positive and forgiving.”
She didn’t bother to give him a copy.
Neither are in a relationship, but Mary considers a reunion unlikely.
“Too much has happened,” she said. “We will stay in contact I hope.”
Mrs Monaghan plans to one day visit Australia. She has several visas in her passport but has never used them.
“I was always ready to hop on a plane should he be found,” she said.
Press
Press
Book Orders
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Green Are the Hills Far Away
Kathleen O’Toole and Paddy O’Connell, both from Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo, married in 1947. Kathleen’s childhood as “the red one on the hill” had earned her countless beatings from her teacher-nuns and her widowed mother; but her spirit survived undaunted. With Paddy, Kathleen found genuine happiness—and against the medical odds, gave birth to Kathryn and Mary.
A few months before her death in 1988, Kathleen wrote a short memoir. It painted a vivid picture of Ballinrobe in the 1920s; the Irish experience in England during WWII; and life as an RAF wife, including two postings to Cyprus. The memoir, which she called Green Are the Hills Far Away, took the form of a letter to her daughters. This book is an unabashed account of a bold, spirited life lived to the full.
R60-00 / $8-00
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Who Do You Belong To?
Continues the story of Mary’s search for her missing husband—and of her sudden, shocking encounter with him, fourteen years after his disappearance. The unexpected success of Mary’s first book changed her life irreversibly, setting in motion a new journey of triumphant discovery.
Who Do You Belong To? takes us along with her as she travels the world, crafting an exuberantly independent life radiant with curiosity, promise, and fulfilment.
R120-00 / $17-00
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Remember Me?
‘Where is John? Did he intend to desert her?’ These are the questions that haunt the narrator of this story as the date for her husband’s return from a walk-about in Australia passes without him making any contact.
R120-00 /$17.00
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We all have challenges in our lives. Sometimes we don’t see them coming. Sometimes we invite them in. Some are bigger than others. Sometimes they come one right behind the other. Sometimes they show up all at once. Sometimes we have to make a choice in how we deal with these challenges.
R120-00 / $17.00
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Successful people make themselves successful. They have goals, dreams, desires, wants, needs and passion.
The more you can imagine achieving your goals, the greater the likelihood of success.
People with passion have a sense of purpose and meaning. They are achieving their goals.
Twenty-six co-authors from around the world have come together to bring you insight and wisdom that will help you discover new possibilities and take you to new levels of success
R120-00 / $17-00
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Download 1st chapter here (pdf)
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| Remember Me? |
|
| Suggested retail price |
R 110 / $ 15 |
| Number of pages |
154 pages (soft cover) |
| Cover |
Copy original Osnat painting of Grotto Bay – painted in 2001 |
| Publisher |
Tortoise Press |
| ISBN Number: |
978-0-620-366648-6 |
| Distribution |
Xavier Nagel Agencies |
|
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Download 1st chapter here (pdf)
Download Poem To Mother here (pdf)
| Who Do You Belong To? |
|
| Suggested retail price |
R 120 / $ 16 |
| Number of pages |
156pp (41 photos) Soft cover 210mm x148mm |
| Cover |
Osnat |
| Publisher |
Tortoise Press |
| ISBN Number: |
978-0-620-47034-6 |
| Distribution |
Xavier Nagel Agencies |
| Availability |
August 2010 |
Book Details
Poem + 1st Chapter
Book Details
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Book Details
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Reader Comments
“Excellent Read – I was told of Mary’s story by a mutual friend/acquaintence who gave me her book to read yesterday, needless to say I completed it wthin a few hours in between nursing my baby.
Astonishing is the callous and cowardice of her husband John who abandons her with heaps of debt.
Amazing is Mary’s courage love and patience and hope, which endures, but is wasted on John.”
“Mary, your story is such an inspiration ….”
“May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand” – Tanya
” ive just heard your story on radio scotland with kay adams and ive just ordered your book cant wait to read it.” – Ac
“Just finished your book. A Great Read.
What a Wally John is…..” - Siobhan M.
“You’re a Saint Mary! Thoroughly enjoyed your book and can’t wait for a follow-up book with some happy moments for you to share with us.”- Therese (australia)
“i loved your book. i kept reading and reading til i finished. really enjoyed it well done Mary. Cant wait for your next book” - Maggie
” you should had left much earlier.At least after
you should had left much earlier.After six months at the most….” – Sylvia A.
“I heard your interview last night (15/07/07) on BBC Radio 5, I think your attitude and what you have been through is a true inspiration. I am ordering your book now!” – Katie S.
“I heard your electric interview on Gerry Ryan. Truly captivating – you are obviously a great storyteller. What struck me most was your capacity for compassion and forgiveness – a complete willingness for understanding. It was inspiring. Take care and good luck.”
“What an amazing story – poignant and brave. A true story of survival against the odds – told with compassion and great intelligence. A very compelling read. My book of the year.” – Marian M.
“I enjoyed reading it, very interesting.
Well done !” – Bridie R.
“Loved the book, very interesting, Your an inspiring Lady” – Mary W.
“What a story! What a girl! What can one say but well done you’re a star.” – Judy B.
“Loved the book. I couldn’t put it down till I had finished it. Well done ! I am now waiting for the next book, don’t keep us waiting too long!” - Ann K.
“What an inspiring story.” – Andrea K.
Mary
About Mary Monaghan
Mary Monaghan’s roots are in Ireland, born to parents from Ballinrobe, Co.Mayo, Ireland. She was educated at St. Mary’s Convent Cambridge and studied for a degree in languages at Westfield College, University of London.
She moved to South Africa in 1981, pursuing a career in Johannesburg before moving to Cape Town in 2000. She pursues varied interests both commercial and personal with a particular passion for making a difference in the HIV and Aids field and continues to write, learn new languages (Russian being the latest one!) and travel extensively. Her recent consulting work has taken her to Madagascar.
Mary is the author of Remember Me? (Melkbosstrand, South Africa: Tortoise Press, 2006), which she has adapted into a screenplay.
She has also been published in Writing the Self: An Anthology of New Writing from Women’s Writing Workshops (Muizenberg, South Africa: Women’s Writing Workshops, 2008);
Life Choices: Navigating Difficult Paths (Las Vegas: Turning Point International, 2010);
and The Ultimate Runner: Stories and Advice to Keep You Moving (Deerfield Beach, FL: HCI Books, 2010). |
|
About
This is an example of a WordPress page, you could edit this to put information about yourself or your site so readers know where you are coming from. You can create as many pages like this one or sub-pages as you like and manage all of your content inside of WordPress.
