A Sip at Life

Antoinette is the protagonist in Jean Rhys’, Wide Sargasso Sea, whose life drastically changes during her marriage to a young English man. As I will discuss in this post, Antoinette was driven mad by the progression of her marriage, seen for instance in her violent reception of her visitor at the house where she was held as a patient. Her breakdown is reasonable considering her situation: a loveless marriage to a stranger and adulterer, who consistently entertained rumours about her and now legally owned all her assets. No, he was not her husband but her handler. Like her mother who watched her whole house, and hope for a new life, burn because of her husband's neglect, Antoinette's life and hope for a loving marriage was consumed by hatred set on by her husband's misdeeds. Reading this novel in the 21st century, there are some things that do not resonate with me, like the seemingly strained, overbearing manner of dress with petticoats and such (in a warm climate) or the b...

  I believe I have been blessed to have learned to appreciate my own self awareness early on in my life. But it did not come easy - certainly not by a glance or a long stare in the mirror; but by experiences I would not have wished to have even in my dreams. Yet I can say, by growing through each, I have learned to take life one moment at a time; to sip and savour.  The moments are precious, the days short. I have learned to approach them like a child with no concept of the fleeting nature of time. Each moment I savour is a moment I deepen my connection with my Source, a moment I get to be wholly and truly me, as I am made to be, with people who sincerely inspire the best me. After all, life is a road-trip with closest companions. What is a road trip without sight seeing and pit stops and nostalgia on the radio, the wind in the background, the sunrise ahead and sunset behind, all to be taken in?  My way? To sip and to savour the wine brewed from the affairs of my heart, f...