I'm proud of my sister!

[emsiewill]

I've been thinking about doing this for a couple of days now, and have been thinking maybe it's too soppy / embarrassing to post, but decided I want to share with you my sister's achievements, cos I think she deserves to be recognised for them.

She's 8 years younger than me, 6 years younger than my brother, so had a different childhood from us. Our parents got divorced when I was 19, db was 18 and she was 11. There was quite an acrimonous custody battle over her, which she was fully aware of, and she ended up living with my dad, stepmum (really lovely) and our stepsister, who had lots of her own issues, and was really nasty to my sister.

My mum had MS, and as me and db had moved away from the area, dsis ended up doing a lot of the caring for my mum, even when she was still a young teenager. She started her 'A' levels twice, but wasn't really bothered (& didn't have the same family unit behind her encouraging her as me & db did), so never finished them. My mum died when dsis was 20, and in the year before her death, dsis and her boyfriend had been devoting most of their time to caring for her. 4 months after my mum's death, dsis boyfriend ran off with her best friend, leaving dsis with a lot of debt and completely devastated.

She then fell into a relationship with someone she had been friendly with for a while, and within weeks fell pregnant by him. As the pregnancy progressed, it became obvious that he was a violent and controlling bully with mental health problems. For the first 4 years of my dniece's life, they lived with this man, who did many many horrible things to them both, and controlled my dsis who lost all her confidence and couldn't find the strength to get them away from him.

In the last year, though, she's managed to completely break free from him (she now has a restraining order against him), complete her access course (and get the highest marks ever on that course) and has this week started at university (despite him trying to ruin it for her by cancelling her place on the course - telling them she had been in a serious car crash) as her dd starts in reception.

I'm really proud at how she's turned things around for herself - at times it's been so frustrating and upsetting to watch what he's done to her, offering help but knowing that she had to make the decision to break free for herself.

I just wanted to share her story with you and let everyone know how proud I am of her.

[cazzybabs]

WOW - she sounds like an amazing person. What is she studying? How luckly her daughter is to have a mum like that and she is to have a big sister like you.

[Hulababy]

She sounds great. Well done to her, and good luck to them both

[gothicmama]

That is really lovely to read wish her luck

[twogorgeousboys]

You are right to be proud of her. Thanks for sharing why .

[MeanBean]

You soppy cow! It's lovely to have something nice to read. Inevitably, people turn to something like Mumsnet when they have a problem and want advice, or they're seething about something and want to let off steam, but it's great to occasionally read a good news story like yours which is so inspiring and uplifting. Here's hoping your sister continues to flourish.

[Twiglett]

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[edam]

Aw, bless both of you. I know what you mean, one of my sisters has lived her life the difficult way but has turned it around, now a student nurse and has got a lovely new boyfriend who actually takes her out and cooks for her. And I'm so proud of her and happy for her.

[eemie]

Many congratulations to her...and she and her dd can swop experiences as they both start on their new lives. When my nephew started in reception I was just starting a tough new job and we used to phone and commiserate and encourage each other.

My own sisters' approval matters more to me than anyone else's apart from my dh and dd. Your love and pride and appreciation will mean a lot to her and will be far more important than anything we could possibly say.

All the same, congratulations again, and she will get far more out of university (and contribute much more) than someone who has led a trouble-free life and got there without a struggle.

[littlemissbossy]

That's brilliant! she (and you) are entitled to be proud. Please send her my best wishes

BTW ... cancelling her course ... what a complete w@nker