Ruby’s Secrets

Yes, I realise that this was supposed to be a monthly feature on my blog, and yes, I realise that i haven’t done one since very early this year. But life happened and the secrets have been backing up in my e-mail. So it’s finally time for another installment of Ruby’s secrets:) And I promise to be better about doing it on a monthly basis from now on.

Please note that I can never have enough secrets to choose from so keep them coming, and if your secret hasn’t been published, don’t dispair…watch this space, it’s bound to follow sooner or later.

If you’d like to take part in my monthly feature, please e-mail your secret to: rubyletters@gmail.com and make the subject of the mail ‘Ruby’s secrets’. Anonymity is guaranteed but if it would make you feel better you can create an anonymous e-mail address and send it from there. I look forward to hearing from you guys:)

Enjoy!

Ruby
xxxxx

My dearest Parental Unit

Today marks the 35th celebration of the day that you got married. 35 YEARS!!! I consider this to be an exceptional feat in the times we live in. Our world is filled with broken families who couldn’t survive the challenges that being married to one person for the rest of your life brings, and yet here you stand, 35 years later, still in love, still discovering each other, still enjoying each other and still working towards making your union even more perfect.

I look around at the families of friends, colleagues and family and I realise that I am in an a very blessed position. Very few of the people I know were able to dodge the bullet of a broken home. Not only are my parents still married, but they are happily married, which is certainly something to celebrate.

Thank you so much for the beautiful example that you have set for my brother and I. Thank you for putting me in a position where I can believe in a fairy tale marriage and know that I too can have that. Thank you for loving each other so much that you faced whatever hard times there might have been and grew into the future together. I look at the two of you and I smile. How rare is it that 35 years on you are still holding hands when you walk, delivering little kisses randomly, become completely miserable when you are away from each other for longer than a day and consider each other your best friend.

So here’s a toast to the two of you. Congratulations on accomplishing something this amazing, and may there be many, many many more of these. Happy 35th anniversary.

Your loving and devoted daughter
Ruby
xxxx

Too cute…caught them on camera while Daddy letter was being all soppy with Mommy letters:)

One of my favourites! I took this picture when we were at the Victory Falls. It was just so adorable, the two of them walking side by side under the umbrella on this little path, completely unaware of the rest of the world

My dearest baby cousin

Happy birthday baby cuz!! Although I suppose at 15 you are no longer a baby. You are however the youngest of many and therefore you shall remain the baby cousin for eternity:) it’s an affectionate reference, so I don’ expect you to become difficult about it:)

I can’t believe you’re 15 already! How on earth did that happen? You were no more than a small child when I moved to Jozi and suddenly here you are, a proper teenager busy turning into a beautiful young woman before our eyes. Please don’t ever lose yourself in the world around you. You are beautiful and pure, affectionate and compassionate and your face is always ready to bestow that lovely smile of yours on all and sundry.

I hope you have the most amazing year ahead and that you are properly spoiled today. My the years be filled with love and happiness and may God bless you beyond your wildest dreams.

Much love

Ruby
xxxx

Dear Readers

You all know this little game by now. I start and complete a few sentences and then you play along and finish the same sentences in the comments section.

I have become……. a bit of a coffee snob. There is no doubt in my mind about this. I really battle to drink poor quality coffee. Sometimes I force myself to drink it in order to be nice, but it’s not an easy thing for me to do.

I’m not….very good with goodbyes. And by goodbyes I mean having to bid the people closest to me farewell and know I won’t see them for more than a reasonable time of say a week or two. I get very sad, and while i generally hold my pose well at the time of the goodbye I do eventually shed a couple of tears. But don’t go and tell everybody I’m a softy and ruin my street cred OK?

This morning….I was surprised with 2 very unexpected phone calls from old friends I haven’t spoken to in forever. It was a very pleasant surprise.

I realised…that I probably became more of a grownup in the last 3 months than I did in the 4 years preceding them.

I love…..evaluating my life and realising that I’m well on my way to fulfilling my dreams. Things that I’ve thought were ONLY dreams are suddenly becoming reality…it’s a wonderful feeling.

It’s OK….to feel insecure sometimes, just don’t make a habit of it.

Being a hero…..can be overrated sometimes. I’ll be heading to a doctor soon to have my ankle checked out. I’m petrified at the thought that something has gone wrong with the metal plate, but the pain is truly unbearable and walking and driving are becoming increasingly difficult.

I love….the cold weather we are having today. I’m SUCH a winter baby it’s not even funny. the cold weather makes me happy:)

My family…is the best family in the entire world…TRUST me:)

Now it’s your turn. Looking forward to reading your sentences!

Love
Ruby
xxxxxx

Dear World

I hope you are ready for me! I have a degree and I’m NOT afraid to use it. See Exhibit A:

So thursday it was finally my big day…graduation day!! It was met with much excitement as it was the celebration of something I’ve worked incredibly hard for : My Master’s degree in Forensic Accounting. It was my little moment of glory for 2 years of blood, sweat, tears, celebration and hard work. And today, after starting my new job, I can truly say it was worth every little bit of effort I put into it.

I was lucky enough to be accompanied by one of my closest friends and my parentals met me at the venue to celebrate this achievement. They proceeded to spend the weekend with me, which is always fun:) The entire day was perfect! Having people I care for very much with me makes me very happy, and the celebration dinner we had after the fact only sealed the deal. (was a definite yummy in my tummy moment).

So if you would, allow me to celebrate just for a moment. To enjoy an achievement, and then to show the world what i plan to accomplish in the future. My dreams are beckoning, and while some of them seemed rather unreasonable not so long ago I can now safely say that they are well within my reach. I’m excited about what the future holds and can’t wait to conquer the world around me.

Love
Ruby
xxxx

P.S. I’ve attached some pics of the day for your perusal:)