Sisters are really gifts that keep on giving. My three sisters are all incredible to me in their own way.
My little sister Marianne was a very special birthday present when I turned 11. I already had three brothers whom I loved, but this was my first little sister. I was ecstatic.
The fact that she was born with multiple physical and mental disabilities did not lessen my love for her ever. In fact, it made her even more appreciated. Every day, when we came home from Creighton Mine Public School, as soon as we had greeted our mom, we all automatically surrounded Marianne’s bassinet to see our baby’s lovely smile.
Her vivid blue eyes and beautiful red curly hair entranced the whole family. Unfortunately Marianne died just three days before my 12th birthday, at not quite one year of age.
In that one short year she drew our family extremely close together, although she was not aware of that, of course. That was her exceptional gift to us.
My sister Liesje was born a short time later – another sister, but this baby girl was perfect and we all doted on her. She was our little princess. As she grew, it was quickly evident that she was very smart, and we were enchanted watching her growth and development.
Lillian de Burger, Florent de Burger (front), Liesje de Burger and Erna de Burger-Fex.
So many questions. It was never boring. Liesje did well in school and continued her studies after she was married and her sons had been born, until she achieved her Masters Degree in English.
I was so very proud of her. She is an excellent mother to Kerry and Patrick, and they appreciate their Mom. Now that she is a grandmother as well, she enjoys her grandchildren fully.
Liesje and I have the same taste in many areas. Several times it has happened that we chose the exact same clothes, although we had not discussed it at all and live hundreds of kilometres away from each other.
Seven years after Liesje’s birth, another healthy little sister was born. She was precious, as she was born just six weeks after the tragic accidental death of my brother Willy – a healthy 16-year-old.
She was named Lillian after my sister-in-law, Lillian, who was working in the nursery at the General Hospital in Sudbury where Mom gave birth. Lillian had black hair when she was born – a first in our family.
I was almost 19 years of age when she was born, and at times it felt as if she was my own child. Lilly became our doll, as we were all so much older. We enjoyed watching her grow and undoubtedly spoiled her. Her pretty hair became blonde, and it was soon obvious that she would be taller than either Liesje or me.
The fact that our parents had asked my brother Ron and I to be her godparents gave us a significant interest in her.
She was the flower girl and Liesje was the junior bridesmaid at my wedding in 1963.
They performed their duties very well, and I was so very proud of them. Both Liesje and Lillian spent a great deal of time with us after our marriage, and I loved that they enjoyed coming so often.
Lillian was an involved and loving mother to Joshua and identical twin daughters, Mallory and Kaleena, all born within 14 months. She was a very busy mom. Now that she has three beautiful grandchildren, she has entered a most enjoyable phase of her life as “Nana.”
Lillian was an exceptional primary caregiver to our parents, Alice and Florent. It was she who kept all of us constantly up-to-date on their conditions as they aged, and later as eventually both resided in retirement homes and later in nursing homes, in Wallaceburg. I can never thank her enough for all she did for my parents.
My parents and sisters moved to Wallaceburg in 1969 when Liesje was 16 and Lillian was nine. Although we now lived far away from each other, the loving feelings we had for each other were not affected at all. We have always enjoyed spending time together in spite of the age differences and the distance between us.
I thank my parents daily for giving me such interesting, unique sisters whom I love and cherish with all my heart.
Erna de Burger-Fex is a retired teacher and writer.
