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Waiting in the Wings
At the grand old age of 92, my mother Dot suddenly starts telling me that she loves me. I am quite dumbstruck at these outbursts of emotion, as she has never mentioned the fact before in all of my 58 years. Over the entire course of my lifetime we have often argued bitterly, and have never really seen eye-to-eye over anything. I squirm with the inner knowledge that she wants me to reply in a similar vein, but try as I might, I cannot.
The guilt I feel at being unable to grant Dot her wish is overwhelming. As Dot’s health deteriorates more towards the final chapters of her life, I take on the role of carer. I find the only way to bring her out of her perpetual misery is to reminisce on past events by showing her old family photographs, and by helping her to remember holidays and happier times. We look back without anger and sometimes with a lot of laughter, getting to know each other better, raking over the past, and talking more than we have ever done. The process helps me, a middle-aged woman, understand the perils of ageing that I might one day face, and also the struggles that elderly people suffer on a day-to-day basis while stoically attempting to maintain their independence.
This is a true story, told in flashbacks and in modern-day often humorous conversations with my mother.
The guilt I feel at being unable to grant Dot her wish is overwhelming. As Dot’s health deteriorates more towards the final chapters of her life, I take on the role of carer. I find the only way to bring her out of her perpetual misery is to reminisce on past events by showing her old family photographs, and by helping her to remember holidays and happier times. We look back without anger and sometimes with a lot of laughter, getting to know each other better, raking over the past, and talking more than we have ever done. The process helps me, a middle-aged woman, understand the perils of ageing that I might one day face, and also the struggles that elderly people suffer on a day-to-day basis while stoically attempting to maintain their independence.
This is a true story, told in flashbacks and in modern-day often humorous conversations with my mother.
173 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 30, 2016
6 people want to read
About the author
Stevie Turner
54 books181 followersStevie Turner is a British author of suspense, paranormal, women's fiction family dramas, and darkly humorous novels. She has also branched out into the world of audio books, screenplays, and translations. Her third novel 'A House Without Windows' gained the attention of a New York media production company in December 2017, and her screenplay 'For the Sake of a Child' won Silver in the 2017 Depth of Field International Film Festival.
More recently Stevie's novel 'His Ladyship' made the finals and Longlist of the 2021 Page Turner Award, and her book 'Falling' reached the finals of the 2022 Page Turner Award. Her (as yet unpublished) novella 'Holding Hands' was shortlisted for the 2025 Page Turner Writing Award.
To quote reader Roberta Baden-Powell: 'I'm looking forward to reading your new book and find your books the best so far. The style you write in has given me a new perspective and a renewed inspiration in reading once again.'
Stevie can be contacted at the following email address: info@stevieturner.uk You can also find her website at www.stevieturner.uk and her blog at www.steviet3.wordpress.com
Don't forget to sign up to Stevie's mailing list for new publications, events and giveaways! http://eepurl.com/dvNklL
More recently Stevie's novel 'His Ladyship' made the finals and Longlist of the 2021 Page Turner Award, and her book 'Falling' reached the finals of the 2022 Page Turner Award. Her (as yet unpublished) novella 'Holding Hands' was shortlisted for the 2025 Page Turner Writing Award.
To quote reader Roberta Baden-Powell: 'I'm looking forward to reading your new book and find your books the best so far. The style you write in has given me a new perspective and a renewed inspiration in reading once again.'
Stevie can be contacted at the following email address: info@stevieturner.uk You can also find her website at www.stevieturner.uk and her blog at www.steviet3.wordpress.com
Don't forget to sign up to Stevie's mailing list for new publications, events and giveaways! http://eepurl.com/dvNklL
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 28, 2017
‘Waiting in the Wings’ is a memoir of Stevie Turner with her mom, Dot, who has completed 92 summers of her life and health deteriorates more towards the final chapters of her life. Stevie takes the role of a carer and the mother-daughter duo spends much of their time together remembering the old bitter-sweet moments which also brings some revelation and confessions.
I think every mother is like Dot. Over protective and caring and never see her child has grown up already and thinks they are still small and innocent and cannot take care of themselves. And I think every child is like Stevie who wants to be free and live by her own ways.
The book tells the story of every mother-child relationship. I love reading the book and liked the way it unfolds and written. It is a well-constructed and intelligently and honestly written book.
https://thereviewauthor.com/
I think every mother is like Dot. Over protective and caring and never see her child has grown up already and thinks they are still small and innocent and cannot take care of themselves. And I think every child is like Stevie who wants to be free and live by her own ways.
The book tells the story of every mother-child relationship. I love reading the book and liked the way it unfolds and written. It is a well-constructed and intelligently and honestly written book.
https://thereviewauthor.com/
April 2, 2017
Turner's memoir is an insightful story about a mother and daughter relationship that has moved to a new dimension. Throughout the author's life she struggled with her relationship with her mother. Dot was set in her ways and always seemed to be trying to conform Stevie to what she wanted her to be. The angst Stevie felt growing up with Dot is documented through this touching and heartfelt memoir as Dot is now old and being an only child, Stevie has taken on the roll to care for her aging invalid mother.
Dot struggles to maintain her independence, making Stevie's job somewhat more difficult to tend to Dot with her whims and antics, but it seems that the two find a common bond while exchanging stories from the past where Dot can be happy reliving her younger days, and where Turner establishes a common ground with memories they can bond over.
Many stories are shared from Turner's childhood, about living under the eagle eye of Dot. We learn to understand that as much as Dot loved her daughter, she didn't know how to show her love, which became a difficult burden for Turner to give her mother love in return.
As a child, Turner was tired of Dot's OCD ways of life, and as a result, rebelled as many a child will do, with vowing not to be like her mother. Through this story, Dot's anal ways could drive a sane person mad at times. Dot didn't know how to show love and emotion and her methods of thinking she was doing so as a good mother were to nag at and not encourage her daughter for the attributes she possessed, but rather harped on how she thought her daughter should dress, and live her life, driving Turner batty, resulting in her wanting to keep in her own comfort zone, much as a loner.
As a memoirist myself, I know the angst of feeling sorry for an aging mother who never fulfilled me emotionally, and similar to Turner's life, I understand the position she was in, finding it difficult to be able to tell her own mother that she loved her when the words were foreign to her all of her life. It brings a heart-crushing feeling when you can't bring yourself to respond with those words, 'I love you', as I sensed the pathetic non-verbal pleading in my own mother too, wanting to hear me say those difficult words.
I highly recommend this book, not only for the manner in which it was written with entertainment value, but for anyone who has or is struggling with an aging parent, finding it difficult to forgive the past and to learn that there is always a way to make amends.
Dot struggles to maintain her independence, making Stevie's job somewhat more difficult to tend to Dot with her whims and antics, but it seems that the two find a common bond while exchanging stories from the past where Dot can be happy reliving her younger days, and where Turner establishes a common ground with memories they can bond over.
Many stories are shared from Turner's childhood, about living under the eagle eye of Dot. We learn to understand that as much as Dot loved her daughter, she didn't know how to show her love, which became a difficult burden for Turner to give her mother love in return.
As a child, Turner was tired of Dot's OCD ways of life, and as a result, rebelled as many a child will do, with vowing not to be like her mother. Through this story, Dot's anal ways could drive a sane person mad at times. Dot didn't know how to show love and emotion and her methods of thinking she was doing so as a good mother were to nag at and not encourage her daughter for the attributes she possessed, but rather harped on how she thought her daughter should dress, and live her life, driving Turner batty, resulting in her wanting to keep in her own comfort zone, much as a loner.
As a memoirist myself, I know the angst of feeling sorry for an aging mother who never fulfilled me emotionally, and similar to Turner's life, I understand the position she was in, finding it difficult to be able to tell her own mother that she loved her when the words were foreign to her all of her life. It brings a heart-crushing feeling when you can't bring yourself to respond with those words, 'I love you', as I sensed the pathetic non-verbal pleading in my own mother too, wanting to hear me say those difficult words.
I highly recommend this book, not only for the manner in which it was written with entertainment value, but for anyone who has or is struggling with an aging parent, finding it difficult to forgive the past and to learn that there is always a way to make amends.
September 24, 2017
Aging parent
While reading this book, it makes me think of my own aging mother who will be 74 this year. Although she is still capable of taking care of herself and still drives her car. She also uses a walking stick." Even though she keeps misplacing it" I tell her that she doesn't need it if she keeps losing it. I know the day is coming when she won't be able to do those things and my siblings and I will be taking care of her on a full time basics. Dot was a hand full but she was full of life for a long time. Mrs Turner, it was a pleasure reading your memoir. Now I'm on to another one of your books.😊
While reading this book, it makes me think of my own aging mother who will be 74 this year. Although she is still capable of taking care of herself and still drives her car. She also uses a walking stick." Even though she keeps misplacing it" I tell her that she doesn't need it if she keeps losing it. I know the day is coming when she won't be able to do those things and my siblings and I will be taking care of her on a full time basics. Dot was a hand full but she was full of life for a long time. Mrs Turner, it was a pleasure reading your memoir. Now I'm on to another one of your books.😊
June 22, 2019
An inspiring story for those of us who are now "parenting" our parents. Shows the conflicting emotions that crop up, especially when we weren't parented so well by the folks we're now care-taking.
Gloria Squitiro: A First Lady of Kanas City and author of May Cause Drowsiness and Blurred Vision: The Side Effects of Bravery
Gloria Squitiro: A First Lady of Kanas City and author of May Cause Drowsiness and Blurred Vision: The Side Effects of Bravery
February 17, 2017
*I received this book as a gift from the author*
This book is close to my heart in more ways than one. To start, my mother happens to be sick at the moment. In Waiting in the Wings, Stevie’s mother Dot is also very sick and is getting worse as time moves on. Dorothy Eliza Wilkins or Dot had a breech birth. My twin sister was breech as well. It means that she was born feet first instead of head first. Sadly, Dot suffered a dislocated hip and osteomyelitis due to being pulled from the womb by her left leg. This would play a great role in her adult life, especially as she ages and her body deteriorates and her mobility becomes limited.
As not to spoil it for you, let’s just say that the relationship between Dot and Stevie is one in which Dot has become the child and Stevie the adult. As mother and daughter both struggle to endure this transition, which understandably takes its toll on them both. Stevie helps her mom through her depression by reliving old memories. We are invited into Stevie and Dot’s past and watch how it influences Stevie in real time. We watch her examine her relationship with Dot while enduring the trials of caring for a sick parent while balancing her own illness.
This is not an easy thing to do and as I look at my sisters (who are in Chicago with my mother and experiencing it first hand), I can sympathize intimately with Stevie’s trials. As for Dot, the woman is hilarious! To find the courage and the will power to still be funny in regard to her situation is a testament to her strength. Again, I am reminded of my own mother (who I think is pretty funny). Though I do think Dot is funny without the intent, I fell in love with her personality and thought Stevie to be quite courageous to share such a personal story.
I’d like to write my own memoir one day and this book gives me the push I need. Again, I think Stevie is very brave. She lays it all out for us.
Ratings:
Plot Movement / Strength: 4/5
Entertainment Factor: 4/5
Characterization: 5/5
Authenticity / Believable: 5/5
Thought Provoking: 5/5
Overall Rating: 5 / 5
This book is close to my heart in more ways than one. To start, my mother happens to be sick at the moment. In Waiting in the Wings, Stevie’s mother Dot is also very sick and is getting worse as time moves on. Dorothy Eliza Wilkins or Dot had a breech birth. My twin sister was breech as well. It means that she was born feet first instead of head first. Sadly, Dot suffered a dislocated hip and osteomyelitis due to being pulled from the womb by her left leg. This would play a great role in her adult life, especially as she ages and her body deteriorates and her mobility becomes limited.
As not to spoil it for you, let’s just say that the relationship between Dot and Stevie is one in which Dot has become the child and Stevie the adult. As mother and daughter both struggle to endure this transition, which understandably takes its toll on them both. Stevie helps her mom through her depression by reliving old memories. We are invited into Stevie and Dot’s past and watch how it influences Stevie in real time. We watch her examine her relationship with Dot while enduring the trials of caring for a sick parent while balancing her own illness.
This is not an easy thing to do and as I look at my sisters (who are in Chicago with my mother and experiencing it first hand), I can sympathize intimately with Stevie’s trials. As for Dot, the woman is hilarious! To find the courage and the will power to still be funny in regard to her situation is a testament to her strength. Again, I am reminded of my own mother (who I think is pretty funny). Though I do think Dot is funny without the intent, I fell in love with her personality and thought Stevie to be quite courageous to share such a personal story.
I’d like to write my own memoir one day and this book gives me the push I need. Again, I think Stevie is very brave. She lays it all out for us.
Ratings:
Plot Movement / Strength: 4/5
Entertainment Factor: 4/5
Characterization: 5/5
Authenticity / Believable: 5/5
Thought Provoking: 5/5
Overall Rating: 5 / 5
December 14, 2016
I have come to expect a well-constructed, intelligently-written book from this accomplished author, and Waiting in the Wings ticks all the right boxes. The story of the author’s rollercoaster relationship with her mother is told with honesty. She regrets that she cannot say the words, ‘I love you,’ to a mother who has been exasperating and difficult to deal with, even in her vulnerability and defiance as she clings to her independence and refuses professional care help. Although the author can’t say the words, we see through her daily actions and patience, the love and compassion that lie beneath.
I applaud the author’s courage in writing so openly about her family, laying bare her thoughts about them – it takes guts to do that and it takes excellent writing to put across a tale that is absorbing, funny and poignant. Waiting in the Wings achieves all that. I felt as if I knew the characters as much as my own family, which is due to the power of the dialogue, the narration and descriptive passages. I became the fly on the wall, observing events as the author explored the past and the present, combining her life story with that of her mother. The flashbacks are never confusing. The book drew me in, held my attention and had me laughing aloud at some the characters’ antics. Highly recommended on so many levels, not least for the portrayals of heartache, comedy and a willingness to allow love and wit to prevail.
I applaud the author’s courage in writing so openly about her family, laying bare her thoughts about them – it takes guts to do that and it takes excellent writing to put across a tale that is absorbing, funny and poignant. Waiting in the Wings achieves all that. I felt as if I knew the characters as much as my own family, which is due to the power of the dialogue, the narration and descriptive passages. I became the fly on the wall, observing events as the author explored the past and the present, combining her life story with that of her mother. The flashbacks are never confusing. The book drew me in, held my attention and had me laughing aloud at some the characters’ antics. Highly recommended on so many levels, not least for the portrayals of heartache, comedy and a willingness to allow love and wit to prevail.
January 4, 2017
"Very Insightful and Compelling"
This is a true account which the author shares with readers via flashbacks and in modern-day humorous conversations with her mother. Stevie is 58 years old, her mom, Dot, is 92 when Dot starts telling her she loves her. They always had arguments and disagreements over the years. But looking back there are also lots of humorous times to remember. This is a life event which most of us have to face eventually. It's not easy, but caring for an aged person can alleviate pain and guilt at the end of life. Very well worth reading, especially for those who have loved ones turning the corner into old age.
This is a true account which the author shares with readers via flashbacks and in modern-day humorous conversations with her mother. Stevie is 58 years old, her mom, Dot, is 92 when Dot starts telling her she loves her. They always had arguments and disagreements over the years. But looking back there are also lots of humorous times to remember. This is a life event which most of us have to face eventually. It's not easy, but caring for an aged person can alleviate pain and guilt at the end of life. Very well worth reading, especially for those who have loved ones turning the corner into old age.
October 22, 2016
My only complaint is that the formatting for kindle was significantly off the mark. Written in British English, the book tells the story, flipping clearly between the past and the present, of the author's life and interactions with her mother over nearly 60 years of life. Mostly it is told as a story of her mother's journey with aging as she reaches the age of 92. Nicely conveyed.
received via netgalley
received via netgalley
June 14, 2017
This was a good story about an emotive issue that many of us face at some point.
Daughter becomes carer to her mother who has never displayed affection or emotion and the two establish a carer/dependent relationship. Hard for everyone.
It's open and honest, exploring issues that aren't very comfortable, but nevertheless happen.
Should be an easy four stars because Turner can tell a good story, but the editing lets it down. In some places the prose didn't flow as well as it should and there were errors.
Nevertheless it's a recommended read if you like this type of novel – especially if you have been through a similar situation. (less)
Daughter becomes carer to her mother who has never displayed affection or emotion and the two establish a carer/dependent relationship. Hard for everyone.
It's open and honest, exploring issues that aren't very comfortable, but nevertheless happen.
Should be an easy four stars because Turner can tell a good story, but the editing lets it down. In some places the prose didn't flow as well as it should and there were errors.
Nevertheless it's a recommended read if you like this type of novel – especially if you have been through a similar situation. (less)
November 28, 2017
I enjoyed the story of Stevie and her mother, Dot. I can identify, although I thought it would delve more into the reasons behind their lack of saying “I love you.” This seemed to be just a small part of the story, not the focus. Stevie shares memories of growing up, her sometimes difficult relationship with her mother, and Dot’s slow decline. Since this is a true story, some photos would’ve been nice. I did notice the lack of consistency with paragraphs. Some were indented and some were not. I found this distracting. Otherwise, a quick enjoyable read.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews