WanderingScribe

Feb, 2006. For the past five months I have been living in a car at the edge of woods — jobless and homeless and totally unable to find a way out. I can't sing, I can't dance, I can't scream loudly enough, but I can read and write. So here I am laying down tracks...hopefully the start of an online paper trail out of here. (Update: Miracles happen....if you are reading my story I am part of your proof.)

Friday, February 08, 2008

The buds are opening on the trees again. Today, for the first time this year I saw branches flecked with pale pink blossom. Is there anything more lovely?

47 Comments:

At 8:53 am, Blogger Natalia Tanyadji said...

I read your story on Reader's Digest February 2008 Singapore Edition. Told me that my life is blessed, more than other people out there. Thanks for the story.

 
At 4:00 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hello wandering scribe,

I've just read your story in the reader's digest that my father have every month. Personally, your story is an inspiration to many (including me) and is a feat in its own.

Blogging has been an outlet for me too, much more an encouragement but i believes it has done more than that for you. It is good to know that technology could not just bring us convenience in daily life but also give us new ways to see our lives in different lights.

Tragedies and life challenges come to us in different times, different ways and we deal with it in different ways as well. I am from the Philippines too but was not part of the disaster you talked about in your past entries. But there is one thing that I see common to any of these events that happen to any person, any race, any part of the globe. That is, every thing happens for a purpose - may it be to make us appreciate life more, makes us realize our frailty or even make us appreciate more the things and the people that we have in our lives. The list is endless.

We have but one life. What happened to you may not happen again but for sure, it happened for a purpose. I believe you are stronger now way more than you began your ordeal. Soon, people are going to draw strength from that as well. With your pain, many have seen how lucky they are as they have not went through yours. Just as you have been inspired with the challenges of my people.

Thank you and hope you keep inspiring others.

 
At 3:12 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

hello,i just read your story on my monthly magazine,don't worry about some suffering you go through. lif always has its ups and downs and after you cross one big suffering, there is always loads of joy,like what is happening to you now.wishing you a happy chinese new year.

 
At 7:46 am, Blogger insomniac said...

I have literally just finished reading ABANDONED and I just wanted to say how much I admire your strength and courage. I feel it an honour to have "met" you through your words. Your book opended up my own eyes and made me think about things I need to change. I only hope I have the courage to one day follow through

 
At 2:02 pm, Blogger 409'2009 said...

hello ms anya! i'm 15 and from singapore. i think i'm pretty much like you--i can't sing or dance to save my life, and writing is the only thing i can use as a pressure valve. i have a blog too and it's good fun letting the world know what i think. thanks for having this blog, because your posts are immensely touching and remind me of how i'm lucky beyond lucky, too. thank you! (:
PS. we just celebrated chinese new year here. this year is the year of the rat. happy new year! (:

 
At 5:18 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Have read your book couldn't put it down. You are soooo brave. I can empathise but you were brave enough to write it all down. I was lucky enough to go on and have a family and relationship but even that has not obliterated the past it still haunts me today.

 
At 5:35 pm, Blogger elizabeth(: said...

Hey Anya. Saw your article in Reader's Digest Feb issue and read your blog a few posts back. You're cool. God bless, Liz.

 
At 2:08 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am glad that you have managed to get yourself out of your terrible prediciment and I sincerly hope it never happened to you again.
You have been a strong person throughout your life, I have read your book and in fact just this mintue finished it! Some of the terrible things you have been through are upsetting to even think about, let alone to think anyone could go through such a terrible time, yet alot of people have been through a tough time and some ended up on the right side others however haven't I am glad you landed on your feet, you deserve that much!!!
I hope everything from now is mainly smooth sailing, with just the occasional bump that life likes to through at each of us for variety and mixed flavour, but I hope it will never be as bad as it was before.
I am sure that after all the truma and bad expirences you have become a better person, through your expireneces you have learnt to survive, when I ever I go through a hard time, I shall think back to your life and story and be thankful I shall never have to expirence half the things you have had to expirence.
Wishing you the best for the future.
Love becky
xxxx

 
At 2:34 am, Blogger daydreamerping said...

hi, ive read the article about you in readers digest...im looking forward of reading your book too..

i too love to blog about things that happening in my life..

and I'll add you up as link in my site...


im looking forward of reading all your posts...

be safe..

 
At 9:08 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi.
Read your story in the Feb issue of Reader's Digest.
I haven't read your book though, but I will be looking for it in the book shops.

 
At 1:01 pm, Blogger Kenzie Wan said...

Hi there Anya,
I've juz finished reading ur article in February '08's issue of Reader's Digest.I felt quite sad for u as u did not have a proper home to live in, and u had to live in ur car. We Singaporeans are fortunate as our government subsidises the prices for public housing, making it affordable for many of us. Luckily, u now have a home to stay in. Your story was really heart-wrenching. I will keep you in my prayers.

From,
Kenzie Wan(Singapore)

 
At 1:52 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi, i just wanted to say that i have read your book an it wer heart-breaking of what you went through. Your story made me cry and i am glad that you are now happy and not alone in a world full of terror.
God bless you, you are always in my thoughts and i hope your future is full of happiness.To me you have inspired me and many others good luck xxxxxxxxx

 
At 3:31 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Anya,

Im Sarah from Lancashire and i have just finished reading your book, i have not been able to put it down for the past two days, people have been saying im mad for reading your story as at times i have had to wipe a tear away my friend said to me why read a book that upsets you and i could not explain to her why. I the told her about this site she then approached me and told me she would like to borrow the book to read. I dont know why i read your book im so glad i did though im not a big reader my excuse is that im always to busy. But i hope that life brings you nothing but happier times for the future and wish you all the best for the future im sure you will do well and im sure ill be visiting this site more often.

Thank you for giving me the chance to read your story.

Sarah

 
At 4:26 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I've just finished your book (11/02/08). I have no words to tell you how much it has affected me. I can tell you that it made me physically sick and that I have wept buckets for you. My childhood wasn't always a bed of roses (although not for the same reasons) but I have never suffered as you have suffered. I have been homeless when we lost our house when I was 13 but I was farmed out to family and friends until my father got back on his feet. I truly hope that your life is back on track now and that it stays that way - God knows you deserve it. Bless your heart, Anya, you are a wonderful, inspirational woman.

 
At 9:14 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi anya,
I've only just started reading books properly and your story i cudnt put down. The way you managed to pull through after everthing that has happened to you is incredible. your strenght and courage is outstanding, and i feel priviledge to have read your story, and find you an inspiration. you also gave me glues to how my nan would have lived being irish and illigiamate also. I thankyou for that and wish you all the luck in the world for the futher i feel your story has changed my life. you are an incredible woman and inspiration to us all. xxx

 
At 10:57 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have just finished reading your book and it touched me dearly. You are an inspiration to all. To have lived the life you have and live to tell the tale... shows how strong a person you really are, you have been to hell and back and still don't blame anyone for how you're life was and still could be. I admire you Anya for everything that has happened or not happened in your life - and the fact that you have come out the other side. Well done on your book and I hope that life is good to you from now on God knows you deserve it. Tracey XX

 
At 11:17 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

God bless you, Anya.
Like many people commenting, i have just finished reading your book and it hit painfully close to home. You're a beautiful person and, even know you may not always believe it, you have a strength about you that is living proof of the desire for survival in the human race, even when there is enormous suffering. I am 17 years old now, and been through more than any child should, and not even near the start of a recovery. Your story has given me hope, and to know that you CAN come out of it "sane", has been my only saving grace, and i mean that from the bottom of my heart.
Thank you Anya and i wish you a happy and fulfilled life, you truelly deserve it. Again, God bless you.

Sarah x

 
At 11:08 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Anya.
Im from Singapore
I've read an article about you in the February's issue of the Reader's Digest and all i can say is that i admire your courage and determination. May God bless you Anya.

 
At 8:27 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I wish you all the best in the world. I know a person like you can crawl your way out of it. Keep crawling and one day you'll be on top of the world. Plus don't let anyone talk you down, there is too much of you that does not need to take crap from people. Good luck mate!

And yes, add Google Adsense ads to this blog, a great way to generate some sort of money through ad-clicks. http://www.google.com/adsense

And it costs you nothing.

Best!

 
At 9:27 am, Blogger Outsider said...

hi there. saw your article on reader's digest this month and the moment I saw it I knew it will be a good read. I think you are lucky being poor in a rich country, than being poor in a third-world country. The welfare system in my country (philippines) is almost bankrupt and welfare is the least among the government's concerns (it has the lowest budget allocation). You, being a British, are lucky in the sense that you have access to a good welfare system and your government takes care of its people. All you need to do is declare yourself a bankrupt and the government will lay options for you to choose, correct me if I am wrong.

Anyway, good luck to you always. More power with the book.

 
At 4:09 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey, i read your story in the Reader's Digest. Wondering where you're putting up now. (: Hope you're okay. By the way, i linked you in my blog. Do view it yea. (: Take good care of yourself. (:

 
At 6:31 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

dearest anya
i really really think you deserve praise.. your book is SO inspiring that i couldn't put it down!! i think u r a brave and courageous woman:) stay happy alright?? May God Bless You!

 
At 12:47 pm, Blogger leslie said...

Shallom Anya!
Upon receiving my latest subscription of reader's digest it was worth reading it because your story caught my eye entitled " The Nights I Spent in My Car". It was an inspiring story and reminded me of my visit to one of the institution in my place that shelters abandon children. I remember when me and my husband left the place, we cannot hide our tears due to the plight of the children. We cannot understand why they were abandoned by their parents. The innocence of the children and their smiles seem to show that they are alright.

Your story has made a lot of difference to the lives of many. You have transformed the mind and hearts of the people which you have not met and seen but have touched our hearts to make a difference in the world.

Yesterday! I talked to a couple who happen to be staying within our compound. They are also my caretaker and the wife work for us every weekend. I got shock of my life when the wife decided to leave the family to work in a metropolitan. I talked seriously to this couple and cried a tears while explaining to the wife on the ill effect to her 3 children who will be left behind and how she will be robbing their rights to be taken cared of. Finally the wife decided to stay with teary eyes. I remember your story, I felt in regretful situation if I did not give my time of letting these couple reminded of their responsibilities to their children and made them aware of the rights of their children.

My words really created an awareness to the couple. The husband was so happy that his wife decided to stay. Both realized of their frailties and being self-centered. Your story help me a lot and with God's help in providing me the wisdom and the right words to say that awakened their senses. Both made a commitment to me and to my husband that they will stick together for better or for worst they will stay together as a family. Deep in my heart I don't want to add another homeless children in the world. What I wish to see is a family not only having a house but a home. Striving for the best interest of every member of the family.

Domestic problems in the like of jealousy can be one of the reasons of making wrong decisions in life and putting the life of the children at risk.
I'm glad that I happen to know your story. I'm pretty sure there many people out there in this world with so many stories to tell.

Thank you and Congratulations! and GOD Bless You!

leslie

 
At 2:14 pm, Blogger itchy said...

hi ive just finished reading you book, it must be the way of the irish as i too have a secret family over there and 35yrs on still dont know who they are. your book gave me an insight on how i feel, the saying 'you can choose your friends but not your family' is so true but its hard to stop wanting and waiting for the love u feel u should get. you are an insperation and i hope your life is brighter from now on.

 
At 8:51 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

14/2/008 i have just finished reading your book, it was very good! its made me appreciate everything i have got. i hope everything goes well for you from now on. good luck xx

 
At 10:00 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

i am a 16 year old girl and have just read your book.. i would like to say how inspiring it was for me to read. you have been through so much and yet are greatful for every small thing you are given. i have not seen my father in 2 years as he is a violent alcoholic... the extent of my abuse however is no where near to yours... and i believe that if you can move on then so can i. you have no idea how much it has helped me. i am still afraid of my dad and hope i will never have to see him again but you have made me realise that i shouldnt be ashamed to ask for help and that i shouldnt be ashamed to admit being scared of him. you have no idea how much your book has helped me to move on. i would like to thank you so much! you have been through so much and i dont know how you have coped! i hope that things get better... you deserve a break! thank you again xxx

 
At 8:15 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

im in your same position and i love spring good luck

 
At 12:46 pm, Blogger NAIZA said...

Just have faith, I know you have been a strong woman! You can make it all the way. Wishing you all the best. Keep us posted!

 
At 8:05 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hello, just read your story in the Readers Digest. I'm from Malaysia. The sentence that touched me the most: "She seemed surprised by my middle-class accent and became quite brusque." I can relate to that. People I know always seem to think I'm doing well financially. In reality, I'm struggling. :(

 
At 5:20 am, Blogger shing said...

Hello Anya. Yours is a miracle, to be saved from homelessness through blogging. I believe the Lord has had a hand in your "redemption" so to speak.

I just read your story in rdasia, and I shared it with my family, wanting them to understand, that if in the UK, someone so talented in writing can go homeless, then it is not surprising that we are experiencing hard, hard work, here in the Philippines, only to survive everyday.

God bless you.

 
At 5:56 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi wandering scribe, im april, 25, from the philippines. I read your story on reader's digest february 2008. I was just wanna thank you for you are my inspiration. You see i came from a poor family and we also experience the things that you were experiencing. Thank you for being so brave. you really are a model to me. im so grateful to you.
God Bless!

 
At 8:31 am, Blogger CP said...

hi. I'm 15 this year, from Singapore, and i just read about you in the recent February 08 Readers' Digest book. Really understand the pain you are suffering being homeless out there. so how are you doing so far? Hope that things are better for you now. I would say that you're a brave woman who managed to pull through these difficulties whereby not many men can do that. I salute you to your tough mentality!! Hope you would share your story more with people all around the world so that they would know how fortunate they are to have a shelter over their head and not desire for unneccessary things which costs alot. I guess its a real learning point for me to have stumbled upon your story. Guess you're seriously one of the bravest woman i've ever known!

 
At 10:52 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

greatings from dublin,i have just finished your book i could not put it down,why anyone in this day and age should have to go threw what you are going threw is not right,i am glad that you have a little light at the end of your tunnel,if kathy had only been there for you as a mother should have been ? im glad you are doing ok now,maybe you mite have another book to tell us what happened to the rest of the family,like did you ever get bk in touch with bren or kathy or mummy,take good care and keep safe.

 
At 12:28 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

you're such an inspiring person. keep holding on. everything would be alright after the tide. this is life. some people are born to enjoy the wealth of their family , blithefully blessed with good health while others just have to be the other way round. the world just dont go round the way we want. anyway, keep blogging/writing to reach out to those people who are in difficult situation too.

 
At 3:41 pm, Blogger withIcelandiclove said...

hi anya!
i read your story too on singapore edition 2008.thx for sharing your story with us.it made me learn that i was lucky to be blessed too.
thx so much for yr story :}.
have a blessed year ahead!

 
At 11:04 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dear Ms Peters,
I first saw your book a few months ago in MPH while looking for another book.

Not knowing what to expect and what I may end up buying, I simply put down the book, promising myself to give it a shot maybe later.

After that, though I still 'bumped' into it, several times, my fingers sort of jumped onto another book besides it.

Then I bought my copy of RD this month and saw and read the article.

After I finished the article, I make it to a point to get it the next time I go to the bookstore.

I bought it I think two weeks ago and finished the book lat Thursday.

I didn't cry while reading it, but I felt sad and happy at the same time.

Sad because the abuse made you feel loved when you actually at the mercy of the abusers, happy because finally you realised it and determined to make that change.

I think the bravest part you did with your life was when you actually starts the blog and let it all out of your chest.

It's not easy to let somebody, especially total strangers to read, judge, and criticise you when they are not in your shoes, having to live like that.

I too have a blog of my own, but though sometimes I want to spell out all my grieves and heartaches in it, I never have the courage.

As a single woman, I can understand the fear of being alone. The fear of living out there in the car or without proper shelter, exposed to the threat, be it from the nature or people, is something no sane person would want.

While reading your book, I keep thinking to myself, on ways to secure my own future. To teach myself, again and again not to depend on people especially men because love would wither over times.

I'm gratefull that I was born as Asian, where in my community, or at least in my family, we are always for each other, despite how irritating or bad things are.

I'm so gratefull, though I have yet to own my own property, and still staying with my sister and her husband and their three boys, I know each time I go home from work, no matter how late or how tired, I'm going back to a home where there are people who love and care about me, as much as I care about them.

It's scary to live alone and not to have someone to love and to love you back, but hey, maybe new found friends in the net may one day become good shoulders to cry on or to cheer you up.

All the best for you Ms Peters and may one day God answer your prayers and let you find love again.

 
At 8:07 am, Blogger JL said...

Read your story on Reader's Digest , Malaysia edition 2008.... May God Bless you !

It made me realise how much I've been blessed by God..

 
At 3:08 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

hi wanderingscribe, i have also read your story on the Reader's Digest just yesterday and i just wanted to let you know that. Let me share to you my thoughts when I read your story, first, I was amazed of the story and I could feel how you were when you were alone, coz I too have expereinced being alone and lonely but not in a car like yours, hehe, i kept fighting it out and its really not easy but I found someONE, Jesus, through those days, He was my comfort, He has been a friend too, and so, I wonder how you are right now, I pray that you will be okay by now because at the end of the story in the Reader's Digest, it says, "she's not alone anymore", that idea... hehe, and hey! something good came out from what happened to you, right, and wow, I really love stories like that... and I think Ive talked alot, hope you well and pray to Jesus, God bless... always... your not alone... tc... =D

 
At 9:36 am, Blogger Ellis said...

Hi from Sweden!
No early speing here, it´s a sunny and cold -6C tuesday here and I just dropped in to see how you are doing and read you blog!
Sorry to hear about your friend´s father, always sad when someone close dies.
Take care, Elenor

 
At 2:02 pm, Blogger maria said...

hello wanderingscribe!how are things going?
I'm Kat, from the Philippines. I, too have read your article from the Reader's Digest..I just wanted you to know that your story really inspired me...Thank you for sharing!I really believe that God lets things happen for certain reasons...Like, from your experience, many people has learned a lot things. There has been a lot of realization and inspiration. Thank you!

 
At 3:35 am, Blogger minniemouse said...

Hello. I have just finshed you book Abandoned and i can't stop crying its so touching that u can share what you went throu.
i know i will be keeping a eye on your blog

cheers !!!! ;)

 
At 4:17 pm, Blogger lisa12 said...

Hi, I got your book yesterday afternoon and have just finshed it, my mascara down round my chin from crying. Your an inspiration to us all Anya. God bless you xx

Lisa, Northern Ireland

 
At 3:36 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey!I'm Syafiqah 14 from Singapore.
I read your story in the Reader's Digest(Asia) 2008 February issue. Your story really touched.I even read the story about you to my other family members.I read in on my way home back from school and even missed my bus!:D
You're really a strong lady.
lots of love,Syafiqah

 
At 12:56 pm, Blogger looking4mylostwings said...

G'day matey!!
I just read your book here in Australia.. My mum bought it and hasn't had the chance to read it cuz I started reading a page and couldn't put it down!!

I don't know what to say.. so I'll just say WOW!

The World is full of suffering AND it is ALSO full of overcoming..

You've given me the inspiration to start a blog.. about my life.. In hopes for me to understand it myself.. not for anyone else.. I'm not good at starting it tho.. I've started probably eleventeen times.. and still haven't .. BUT while I've got the account up.. Just wanted to say that.. GOOD ON YA MATE!! Just WOW! Coming from and going through what I've been through.. I'M SO EFFIN PROUD OF YOU HEY!! Just!! YAY!!!

ALLLLLLLLLL THE BEST!!!! YOU DESERVE IT!!!

 
At 2:57 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Anya from Budapest.
I have read the article in the Readers Digest. You're strong. I quite follow you in the magazine and I'am partial to your blog.

God bless, Gábor

 
At 4:21 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said...

i read your book in one day as could not put it down it made me realise now matter how life gets you down there are alwas people out there worse of than you

 
At 10:43 am, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Anya,

I hope you are in very happy place now. After all your suffering & hardships, you deserve to be safe, warm & loved.

I cannot begin to express how deeply your book touched my heart. I too had a rather tragic childhood and am so very thankful for you sharing your story, however moreso for your remider that it is the simplest things in life which are the most important- a warm bed, a hot piece of toast dripping with butter... It's so easy in today's modern, fast-paced life to get caught up and wallow in one's saddness. Of late I have been struggling to cope with all the negative happenings in my life and have felt unable to cope and like I was drowing. However, after sharing your life story I now feel I have clarity and a starting block to get back to all the good things there are in life.

Thank you Anya with pure sincerity.

I hope that you are in a beautiful stage in your life.

*hugs & kisses* xx

 

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