Dear couzie

Tuesday was you 21st birthday. Happy birthday my little baby cousin.......I hope you had an absolutely stunning day, that the year ahead will be so filled with love, happiness and blessings that you wouldn't know what to do with them and that God will hold you in His wonderfully strong and gentle hands all the days of you life.

After rereading the first paragraph i realised something...not only are you no longer one of the baby cousins, but I have no idea how you became part of that group to begin with.....seriously, a 5 year age gap isn't exactly that big......is it?

Anyway.....after deciding to write this letter a lot of little things that i wanted to say to you jumped to mind, but the one thing that totally stuck was the day you got baptized. You were a teeny tiny little baby, beautiful! With big, dark pools for eyes and a crop of curly brown hair which has totally turned into your crown if glory. My excitement and honor knew no bounds when I was told that your folk wanted me, little Ruby, to carry you into the church to be baptized.....I even got a new dress and everything. My point is that on that day a bond was formed, one which will never ever be broken.

Since I've moved to jozi, I've gained 3 little sisters....all of which started out as my cousins, you being the oldest. We've shared many a laugh, plenty of tears and together we have both grown. Without realising it, the three of you help me to be a better person. Never in my life did i think that I'd have to be a role model for someone else....well, maybe when i have children, but i definitely never thought that it would happen before then. The realisation that between the 3 of you you mirror my every move, my sense of clothing, my way of talking, my relationships with friends and family and my relationship with God came as a shock......but it's a pleasant shock. I've grown more aware of what I do and say than I've ever been....still remaining true to myself, but being more responsible.

You have your fair share of issues in life, but hey, we all have them, some just handle them better than others. I'm proud and honored to know that I've helped you deal with a lot of them. Sometimes all you needed was a hug, sometimes a little bit of advice and at times a stern reprimand. But together we have developed this relationship into something beautiful and precious.

I can't wait to take you on your birthday surprise. Every year, instead of buying you guys something for your birthday, I give you a choice:
1. A gift of my choice
2. Money
3. I take you on an adventure, some fun time together...my treat
Without fail the 3 of you have always chosen nr 3.

Your first birthday experience was a fancy dress cocktail party....your first cocktail party and probably the first time you got dressed up all pretty wearing a little dress......being the tomboy you are. We've had a couple these "experiences" in the last 3 years. This year will have to be even more special, being your 21st and all. I can't wait:)

Happy birthday my darling. Whatever may happen in the future, keep your joy and your infectious smile. Remember that if everything else fails you, you can always count on God. And remember that as long as it is humanly possible, I will be here for you, loving you and cheering you on in life.

Love

Cousin/sister Ruby

P.S. I have a couple of ideas as to what I'll be doing for the couzies birthday, but if any of you have some killer ideas I would love to hear them.