My sister Rose

Today's post is dedicated to my sister, Rose

Living in a high-rise flat in Khartoum, I don't have a real rose. I downloaded the above photo from the Internet. Yet this bloom, although beautiful, doesn't do justice to it's namesake, my sister, Rose.

The photos (top: me, Grant and a cousin, and cousin, Rose and Grant :above) were taken in 1969. Rose and I wore the same clothes from toddlers to when I got married in 1972! She and I were always together, even when Grant and I were courting!

Rose, or Rosemary, as she prefers to be called (I have sisterly priveleges and may shorten her name, lol!) and I are only 14 months apart. I was the age of my little granddaughter (whose photo has appeared in two posts this week,) when Rose was born. From the day I saw my baby sister, I was never jealous of her; I never felt threatened by the new baby.  On the contrary, as we grew up, I would have taken on any one who threatened our close relationship. Today we are continents apart; I'm in North Africa while Rose lives in the UK with her husband, Peter but we are on Skype and e-mail contact almost daily.

Rose holds a dynamic position with a high-profile company in the UK. She works online from early morning until late evening and is an important cog in the wheels of this company's sales team. She is also the grandmother of eight children under six. Her only daughter and husband had triplets (girls) and her oldest son and his wife had twin boys in the same year; all by natural conception - no fertililty drugs. Rose has three single granddaughters as well, one each in the multiple baby families and one from her second son. All as beautiul as their grandmother!

My prayer is that one day (soon) Rose and Peter will return to the country of their birth, South Africa. I believe it will coincide with the time when Grant and I return to South Africa permanently as well. Then I get to see my sister a lot more regularly.

Happy birthday Rose! May you be blessed with many more years of health and happiness and a few more grands...

Edited Note: Although Rose is a staunch follower of my blog she is unable to comment on it. No matter what she tries: her own ID, Anonymous, etc, she cannot post a comment on my blog. Any suggestions from readers out there will be most welcome. She Skyped me this morning with the following comment:

 Hi Jo!!!! Thank you so much! Can't wait to check the blog and mail - don't know how I'd face life without you somewhere in the world!!!! My tiny big sister!!!!!!! love you too!!!



[09:34:37 AM] Rosemary Swinbourn: Thank you SO much for the Blog Jo! I am so emotional about it!!! Can remember the day that picture was taken at Andre's house!!! And yes, I pray too, that we move back and soon!!!! Can't tell you what your words have meant to me, Jo!!!!!!