It is true when they say that you do not know what happens behind closed doors. In the case of families, that is most definitely true. If you had a chance to crack open a family’s door, you may see a family who is loving, kind, and who is happy the vast majority of the time. Okay, they have their arguments and their grievances; but all families do. Other times, you may open the door a crack and realize, Dear Lord, my family may fight but nothing like this! People throwing things at each other ( literally), people screaming at each other; and doing a whole host of other, horribe things are the name of the game in that household. I believe that Eileen Regina Edwards Twain’s –known professionally as Shania Twain – family was a mixture of both of these family scenarios. Her parents undoubtedly loved and cared about one another. However, in the next moment, it probably seemed very much like they did not due to violent, verbal and sometimes also physical arguments about financial and family struggles that they were experiencing. Unfortunately, both of them as well as their five children were often caught in the crossfire. Life was hard enough with being in poverty. It is does not take a psychologist to figure out that the violent arguments did not help things. Even through all this, though, you could tell that there was definitely love in Shania Twain’s family. Sometimes, people just do not know what the heck to do. I am not justifying violence because violence is NEVER okay. As time went on, her parents did still argue, but they at least learned how not to express things physically. However, verbal arguments and abuse still do much damage to everyone involved. I wish something else could have been done so that her parents could have helped themselves; or they could have received help from someone else. Sometimes, you need to open that door a crack and find out what is really going on.
Shania Twain writes about her parents’ relationship, her childhood in poverty, and overall, her life’s challenges and successes in her autobiography, From This Moment On. In addition to her struggles as a child, Ms. Twain writes about how her mother pushed her to be a singer/songwriter as a child honing her skills in bars, clubs, nursing homes, and anywhere else in Canada that her mother could get her to play music and perform. It was not an easy situation. While Ms. Twain enjoyed singing, she also felt that she was trying to attain her mother’s dreams. She recounts her childhood all the way up to adulthood. When her parents were killed in a truck accident in 1987, she had to assume complete financial and familial responsibility for her younger siblings. She recounts her challenges, struggles, and successes assuming these responsibilites while still trying to fulfill her dreams of making it in music. She recounts her music stardom, ultimate success, and also the downside of that success. She also talks about her marriage to Robet John “Mutt” Lange, their son, Eja; and the tremendous heartbreak she experienced when she found out of his infidelity with her best friend. However, she triumphed over that as well in her true, strong-willed and hardworking nature. Even if you are not a fan of her music or of country music in general; you will wholeheartedly enjoy this book; and the message that it is trying to send. There are going to be challenges in life. However, work hard, never give up, hold onto your dreams; and you will get there.
Shania Twain’s autobiography brings up the subject of domestic violence. It is understandable that times of the year like the holidays can be stressful. However, make sure you all are handling it the proper way. Hitting someone, dragging someone, calling them names, telling them that they are garbage, etc is not the proper way to handle things. Women and men can be victims of domestic violence. These things can be triumphed over. However, it is often necessary to ask for help to do that. If you or someone you know is being abused; or you suspect that they are being abused; please go to http://www.ohs.cuyahogacounty.us/en-US/emergency-shelters for resources in Cuyahoga County, Cleveland, OH. In addition, you can call The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE or go to their website http://www.thehotline.org/. You are not alone. There is help available.
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