Sisterhood

When the fat lady sings!

2010-09-02T05:06:00.000-07:00

When the fat lady sings, it is over. The fat lady has not sung yet and therefore the possibilities of my sister and I are still very much alive. Mind you, there has been some changes - some of them huge - that will necessitates re looking the how and when of our combined dreams. All totally achievable!!

In the meantime, I have decided to de-attach myself to all those things that have tied me down and I trust that once I am free, the opportunity will present itself.

For those out there interested, I will keep you updated.

The Test of Time

2010-02-03T23:59:00.000-08:00

My sister and I are going through a major test - The Test of Time. The more time you spend with someone - anyone - the more you get in their faces. We have been spending a lot of time together and our worlds have gradually started overlapping - almost like moving back to childhood. Now the heat is on and our old patterns are starting to emerge.

Recently we both got involved in a new project - see for yourself on www.ragdollinitiative.blogspot.com - which extended our presence in each other's lives. Isn't the whole point of paring up with someone - anyone - to have support? To know that when you are unaware that the other person will make you aware? Surely none of us are fully aware on all levels all the time? I suppose it is obvious that I just don't get it.

I feel as if the crutch that I have relied on for support when my leg was sore is now beating me. Perhaps my lesson here is that support is not a given. Or perhaps it is. I don't know but what I do know is that I will keep you posted.

Listening versus Hearing

2010-01-13T02:18:00.000-08:00

Hi there my Blogger friends,

This is Kate/Kyta blogging. It is going to confuse me for a while to see my nickname written as it has never been done. I have always just heard it, which brings me to my reasons for this entry. I have known my sister for 52 years, listened to her trials and her tribulations, counselled her on various issues, assisted her when and where I could, Dutch uncled her a few times, and loved her always. Yet, I didn't know the following:

Milla is currently in the field of international affairs. She studied Pharmacology and Chemistry and worked for many years at the CSIR in the field of Composite materials.
Milla studied narrative pastoral and family therapy, and can assist in whatever a problem might arise - from drug addiction to the dying process.
She knows various massage techniques and can 'boast' that not one of our loved ones/patients ever developed bedsores.

Listening is such a powerful tool and I have just discovered that I need to practice a little longer if I ever want to master this tool. The beauty of this unique connection that I have with my sister is that she listens when I only hear, I talk when she mumbles, one looks and the other sees. We've always seemed to have all the bases covered.

You want to hear something funny?...... Milla is far more qualified to do this blog post, yet I am doing it!! She emails me the stuff that she feels should be on the blog. Here is her latest mail:

We are also available to families who need a loving, caring granny. Milla has one grandson who lives in England and whom she sees/visits at least once a year. As you know by now, we are South Africans, which mean that we are very well brought-up. In South Africa we still believe in discipline and high/sound moral values. If you want to go on a holiday but the kids needs to attend school, we are prepared to move in with them and take above average care of them. We'll be there for them - from doing homework, disciplining, loving and caring. We'll be a little bit parent, a little bit teacher, and a little bit best friend. Kate and Milla both have the intellectual ability to stimulate and assist your children in any of the studying material/subjects - we both are qualified scientists in 'murg en been'

As we are from Dutch descend, we are particularly interested in working/travelling through the Netherlands and Belgium. We are bilingual, fluent in English and Afrikaans. Afrikaans is the first language approximately 60% of White South Africans (2.5 million). Modern Dutch and Afrikaans share 85-plus per cent of their vocabulary. Afrikaans is one of South Africa's official 11 languages

I am not a granny and if it is up to me only, I wouldn't be one for some time. Yet, I absolutely love the idea of taking care of your kids while you are off to somewhere, doing what needs to be done. I have taken my maternal responsibilities extremely serious and still do, even though my son is 26 years old.

For obvious reason I also agree with Milla about our upbringing - it was of the highest order. Our intelligence is another point of accord although we are two very different individuals and definitely a pair to be reconed with.

It is early days still and hopefully we will post a blog real soon from afar. I'll be back before then. Bye.

Ready, Willing and Able.

2010-01-06T03:42:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time there were two sisters who grew up in a large family (11 members to be exact) - Ouma, Mamma, Pappa, six girls and two boys. Unbeknown to both sisters, they shared the same dream; to travel the world while making a difference in the lives of those they touch. One day, early in the year 2010, while discussing their plans for the new year, they realised their mutual aspirations and immediately set up a blog to introduce themselves and announce their plans to the world.

KYTA
Kyta, professionally known as Kate Rheeders, is a young 52 year old holistic therapist that has been operating in her own practice since 1992. With a solid, scientific background in water treatment, she has combined this knowledge with her wisdom and understanding of mysticism - more specifically Kabalah - to form a practical system to help individuals reach emotional maturity, making her a world leader on emotional intelligence. For more information on this individual please visit her websites by following the links provided.

Kyta has raised her son single-handily. During his teenage years, she inventively created a network around her son and 5 of his friend by pooling the resources of the 6 mothers, creating a broad, healthy and manageable entrance into adulthood for all 6 boys. They have all become outstanding individuals that add value to this world.

In 2002 Kyta lost her partner suddenly. This incident brought an end to the chapter of protective living for her and it has taken years to reach the point of sustainable living. This chapter can now be wrapped up and Kyta is ready to start an episode on exploring the world. She says: "I care about people, animals and the planet and how I express this caring, remains unchanged. It is where I convey this caring that I am ready to change."

MILLA
Milla, professionally known as Mirie van Rooyen, is an even younger 55 year old editor that is currently employed in the diplomatic field. Milla does freelance work for a variety of publishing houses which contributes to her incredible ability to talk about most topics. Milla's name is often found between the covers of the coffee-table books that decorate our homes.

Milla learned about loss very early in her life. At the age of 28 she lost her first husband in a motorcar accident, leaving her with two young boys aged 5 years and 9 months old. 3 years later, Milla remarried and added another son to her happy family. This joyful state came to an end in 2007 when her second husband died from stomach cancer. She is currently in the process of rising from the ashes of her loss and ready to move directly towards exploring the world.

Milla's middle son has experienced particular difficulties with drug abuse and there is nothing that will stop her from helping him overcome his addiction. Over the years she has qualified herself with the various therapy techniques and she understands this problem first hand. She says: "My sons are able to care for themselves now and I am ready to serve whoever is needy."

THE SISTERS

Even though as children, Kyta and Milla were always considered a pair, the true value of the sisterhood became evident when Milla's first husband died. Kyta was there to support her through the ordeal. When Kyta gave birth to her son, Milla was there to hold her hand. It was during the difficult times that they have intuitively drawn closer, forming a formidable team that operates like a well oiled machine. Since 2002, they have lost 8 loved ones through terminal diseases and have walked the road from diagnosis until the very end with them. There is nothing that these two sisters cannot handle - together.

THE PLAN

Having achieved the highest level of success in their separate and specific areas of expertise, the two sisters are ready to combine their forces and explore a wider platform while making a difference in the lives of others. They are making themselves available - as a pair - to help couples, families or groups that wish/need any of the following:

Travel but need assistance.
Caring for the terminally ill, frail and elderly.
Conflict resolution.
Emotional support through difficulties.
Crises management of any kind.
Communication clarification.

THE NEXT STEP

The next step would obviously be for you to identify your own needs. Once this has been achieved, feel free to contact Kyta on rheeders@mweb.co.za or Milla on millavanrooyen@gmail.com with your needs. The dates and fee can then be arranged and these two amazing women can be on the next flight out to you.