Adrift: True Stories of a Modern Mermaid

by Deanne Welsh

Adrift is a book for those who have left home, sought home, or even found home and know what it’s like to live between worlds. A true story of a Canadian missionary kid, living in Germany, who moved to a missionary ship. As I stared out the window of the van, the buildings of every city loomed ominously, like giant watchdogs forcing us to keep going. The glass was cool as I leaned my head against the window and forced the tears to retreat. My memories hung loosely together like bulbs from a string of lights. I couldn’t remember when or where they happened or my exact age. I lived moment by moment, a girl in front of an ever-changing landscape of people and places. There were reasons I did not belong to each of the countries I you are not German, you have a Canadian passport. You are not Canadian, you’ve only lived here for a year. Would I ever fit in? “Where are you from?” The question shivers down my spine like ice. I grimace to myself while responding with a smile, “I’m from Canada.” Sometimes I say, “I’m from Germany” or “I live in America.” Other times, “I’m a missionary kid so I’m a little confused.” When I am honest, “I am from the sea.” It began when I was I do not want to live on the sea. My family and I are driving away from my home, school and friends of the last four and a half years in Mosbach Germany. I try to remember the last time I lived on the sea, but the memories of those seven years run together like watercolors. Only a handful of them have distinct shapes, their edges jutting out of the sea of color. Until that moment my identity was defined by my friends, place, school, activities and home. Like a watercolor shape of white created by filling in the color around it, I knew myself based on the familiar people and places around me. When my family returned to the sea, the color left. Who am I?

86 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 24, 2020

About the author

Writing Coach. Equipping writers to master their messaging, marketing and money. Join my private FB community for UNSTOPPABLE WRITERS: www.facebook.com/groups/unstoppablewr...
I am also a 5xself-published author, spiritual director, speaker and copywriter.

Reviews

[Jaline Perfect · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4.5 stars) As someone who felt they too did not have a home, or place of belonging, because of moves which created distance from loved ones and places that felt familiar, this book brought up so many memories of my own. I felt the same fears and beliefs (whether based on truth or not) when I was small. I loved the raw emotion and descriptions of places and events that Deanne brought to life with her writing.
I can picture this young girl standing on the deck of a ship, gazing out at sea.

I am looking forward to the next portion of Deanne's story.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely, sweet, transparent, poetic and raw. It’s a memoir that touches both the heart and the senses. Deanne’s honesty and depth of insight, combined with her delightful ability with words and truly fascinating story, makes this a wonderful little book. I look forward to the next titles in the series!

[Renatasouisayahoo.Com · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful written, inspiring and touching first part of a biography.

A very honest picture is painted through words, describing the experiences of an MK living on board a ship. Deanne is an extremely talented writer. This book touches my heart deeply. It is a raw story of how a teenager experiences huge changes in her life and her response to it. Clearly Deanne has discovered through the years the effects this has had on her and has learned to deal with things in a healthy way. Reading the book it is lovely to be transported back in time to the Logos II and its people through her vivid descriptions. So many years later it is lovely to see the heart of this beautiful girl I saw walking around on the ship back then when I only knew her face and name. I am very much looking forward to reading part 2 of her story. Well done Deanne!!

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really related to the loss of place, loss of identity, that happens when you're forced to move somewhere new. My father was in the Canadian Armed Forces when I was a child. Like the author, I lived in Europe off and on, and was forced to move when I didn't want to. The author definitely enjoyed living in Germany whereas I could not wait to leave Russia.

The book is well-written with great descriptions. I could almost feel the swell of the waves, thanks to the author's gifts of description.

[Denise Hauge · Rating 5 out of 5]

A place to be from

Although I was born and raised in the same house that my parents still own, I relate with the middle school girl in Adrift. I lost a best friend at the same age and the emotions of loss and identity that Deanne describes touched a still tender place in my soul. Adrift is a powerful reminder that we all long for a place to belong.

[Belinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Riveting story

The stories in this book grab you. It’s unpredictable and unknown territory. Adventure. Colorful. Different cultures and languages and countries. I couldn’t put the book down. And my heart goes out to a young girl developing her identity. Mostly I felt drawn to her struggle with belonging as I have had similar struggles being a missionary kid also.