Green Vanilla Tea: One Family's Extraordinary Journey of Love, Hope, and Remembering

I really did absolutely love this book which was written with so much authenticity and genuine love. It was an absolute privilege to share in this tragic but inspirational journey with the Williams family - a real example of perfection overcoming imperfection as a result of the solid foundation of love, integrity and commitment that pre-existed the condition that overtook Dominic - these values continued prior and post the diagnosis and carried the family through to the moment where Dominic passes from this life to the next. I am in awe of this courageous woman who somehow managed to keep a balanced family life and raise two incredible young boys in the midst of what must have been a chaotic situation - I was astonished to read that her son was dux of his school notwithstanding the very difficult situation at home. It is a story of love triumphing over all - of fine, decent characters defeating a potential disaster - it is a story that directs us lovingly to assess our own lives and close relationships and re-establish the solid base and positive attitude required to see us through almost any tragedy and capitalize of every shared joy. Thank you for sharing this story with us Marie Williams and Sons.

I heard Mare interviewed on Australia's ABC local radio, the Conversation Hour with Richard Fidler. I was really taken by the way Marie spoke of her husband, and her families experience with her husband's illness. I downloaded a sample and was so engrossed I bought the book.Marie, her boys, and her network of family, friends and professional staff were incredible with the way they managed her husband Dom's illness with such compassion and ensured his dignity was intact.My only comment is that if you are emotionally fragile, it will take its toll. I read the book two years after my mother died of brain cancer and saw a lot of parralells as Dom's illness progressed. I was quite unprepared for the waves of emotion his story evoked.To Marie and her boys, thank you for sharing your story, it will have far reaching impacts for families experiencing similar situations.To readers, this is a compelling story, woven around the fabric of life being a series of memories that are to be shared and celebrated.

Green Vanilla Tea is a beautifully written memoir of Marie Williams last years with her terminally ill husband. It is honest, heartbreaking, and moving. Her struggles with guilt, adjusting to her new "life", and trying to decide what was right for the entire family was very heartbreaking and real. As a nurse I know how difficult and emotional it can be to take care terminally ill patients. I can't even fathom if it was my own loved one. Marie and her sons were on a "roller coaster ride from hell". I think she handled the situation with dignity, love, compassion, and strength. We never know how we will react in any given situation. Not only did she have to think about her husbands wishes, but those of her teenage sons. She did a tremendous job coping and balancing the needs of all involved. You handled life's challenges with grace and love. Thank you for sharing your story with the world.

This book was recommended following a friend hearing the author interviewed on Life Matters on the ABC, the reason for the interest, as the story she told rang some bells, about a friend of mine.i found the book compelling, harrowing, but at the same time beautiful.At times I needed to put the book down,as I could not read for the tears, but as I composed myself, I felt the need to continue.I have 2 Sons, and also coming from a Palliative Care Nursing background, this amazing journey that the patient, family and friends travelled, was heart wrenching, but the love that surrounded Dom and the family made the story what it was.I have recommended to some of my friends that it is a wonderful read, but you need to be in the right place to manage it.i was also touched by the Quilt story, as during my time in Palliative Care, we encouraged families to make a Quilt, this was a major source of comfort for the bereaved.

Here is a true story full of insight and ideas about the devastating impact of early onset dementia and motor neurone disease on the family and friends of an young intelligent Australian man. We enter their world that seems unreal and are exposed to the harsh realities of their existence as they come to terms with the loss of their husband , father and friend to an incomprehensible disease. Because of his youth when he contracted it in his late thirties, his erratic behaviour is misinterpreted and misunderstood but gradually their awareness that something is terribly wrong enters the family consciousness. How they deal with the day to day life and interaction is heart wrenching and an emotional ride that brings the reader to tears. But it is such a positive story showing practical ideas on how family friends and health professionals need to understand and know how to react and behave with kindness and empathy. One is richer for reading this story

The book was very beautifully written & would touch a chord with anyone who had relatives or friends with dementia or Motor Neurone Disease. To be confronted by the combination of both in such a young man & to cope with it in such a delicate way & to keep both her sons & herself sane & well balanced showed a lot of courage. I particularly liked The idea of the life story contained on the quilt as a beautiful reminder for someone whose memory is failing.I would definitely recommend it.

I couldn't put it down in spite of the anguish at its core. Because, of course, there was much much more than that: undying love, courage, overcoming the impossible, learning from tragedy, finding friends, learning to give to others... etc etc. Marie Williams has put her heart and soul into writing this memoir. And she does it in part for her two beloved sons. She's a role model for all spouses and children fighting terrible odds.

A Beautiful Sad Story.This is a book that I could not put down. Just reading about Dominic's struggle and his amazing family was truly an inspiration.He was so lucky to be surrounded by all the love and caring from not justhis family but wonderful friends and neighbors as well. We should all be so blessed.

By the end of book I was sobbing so hard I couldn't see properly. However, it left me more inspired and heart warmed than heart sad. Few books no matter how sad reduce me to tears. I think I was so emotionally involved and invested that I felt I was in the room as the dialogue was happening. What was uplifting was her open honest and sensitive way of how she involved their children in their fathers last few years and how the author handled his terminal illness with dignity, love and humour for all of them.The portrayal of the years before diagnosis when his personality changed negatively but they were not aware there was an organic reason was frustrating to read so cannot imagine the pain of living that time prior to deterioration and eventual treatment commencing. It was also beautiful to read of the support from family and community the author mentions which uplifted all of them but also myself as too many times humans seem to let themselves down in the humanity dept. A courageous and kind act to share their families story so others may understand dementia and it's devastating effects on a young family regardless of its cause.Am sure it will help many who unfortunately have to deal with the serious illness of a loved one. Honestly and beautifully written.

Marie Williams tells an account of her husband's health deteriorating before his family's eyes, but not the man within it. She lovingly took me on a journey of heart breaking proportion but in such a caring and sensitive way I was enfolded in the love of the experience as much as witnessing the pain.To be honest I had avoided this book as I thought it would be too painful to read.. but I'm grateful to have trusted an inkling to give it a go. I would recommend it to anyone who has a family member suffering/experiencing a degenerative disease. It's an insight into it I'd never had before.

I don't usually enjoy books of is kind, but Marie Williams has written a moving account of what it was like to watch her loving husband descend from normality into dementia. He was only 44 years old when diagnosed, and Williams writes with compassion and not a shred of self-pity about how the family coped until the inevitable outcome.

Was beautifully written and very emotional. I loved it and have recommended it