The saying “age is nothing but a number” certainly rings true for 87-year-old Janet McGhie Brown who recently published her first book.
Brown, a former learner of Paarl Girls’ High School, grew up with her parents and siblings in Moolman Street.
Inspired her whole life by her parents’ determination not to let their disability keep them back, two years ago she started writing her first book.
Entitled The Silent World of Hessie, the book is a tribute to her late parents who were both born deaf, but overcame all obstacles to ensure their children were loved, cared for and became successful in life.
The book is a combination of fact and fiction, and she shares her memories of people and places in Paarl.
Brown explained her mother’s name was Hester, but because she was such a tiny baby, her mother’s father called her Hessie. Her father was Alexander McGhie.
As she spoke about her mother and the sacrifices she had made, one can almost hear the profound sense of pride in her voice, clearly a source of inspiration.
“When my mother’s brother’s wife passed away shortly after the birth of their third child, my mother took in their three children,” Brown relates. “The baby was only 10 days old. They were never like cousins to us, and we were all sisters and brothers. My mother was also adamant we should get a good education so all six of us could own our own house, and we did.
“My mother overflowed with love and she did everything for her family, and did not let her disability stop her.”
Brown said she received positive feedback about her book, many saying the book inspired them.
“That was the whole idea, to write this tribute to my parents, so they won’t be forgotten,” she said. “The grandchildren and great-grandchildren can all read about them now, but also because they just never gave up.”
This mother of two, with three step-children and grandmother of seven, says when she started writing the book she just could not stop.
“I feel humble and grateful to have published it. I know God had a hand in it.”
Brown, who currently lives in Gordon’s Bay, has already started writing her second book. This time she is trying her hand at a thriller.
And to those out there who would like to write a book she says: “Just do it. Sit down, write notes and read through them a few times and just do it.
“If you depend on outside influences you are never going to do it, you have to do it from inside yourself. There is a story in each one of us.”
Last week Brown joined the Groenleegte-leeskring in Paarl where she talked about her book. Brown was also a founder member of that book club.
• To order the book, contact Janet McGhie Brown at janiebrown01@gmail.com or on 082 939 5646.
