The Whispering Orange Blossoms by Siggi Rutherford

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A Bittersweet Family Tale of Tears and Sunshine
Embark on a riveting journey through the pages of this remarkable book, where tragedy intertwines with the uproarious antics of two unwittingly hilarious granddaughters.
A poignant true story unfolds against the backdrop of a sun-soaked Spanish coastal town, where an eclectic blend of English, Scottish, German, Dutch, and Spanish heritage weaves a vibrant tapestry of family dynamics.
Navigate the labyrinth of their lives as the family and the girls grapple with the indescribable pain of early loss, and weather the storm of a global financial credit crash that uproots their world.
For over a decade, the astute observations of a loving Grandmother, meticulously chronicled in diary format, capture the highs and lows of this international family.
This heartfelt and honest account delves into the nuances of their multinational upbringing, showcasing the resilience of the human spirit amid colossal family changes. Witness their mental and physical evolution painted with strokes of humour, warmth, and a dash of local colour.
A tale brimming with love, laughter, and tears, this narrative resonates with anyone who has experienced the rollercoaster ride of raising children, from the tender years to the tumultuous teenage stage.
Brace yourself for an emotional rollercoaster that is as unforgettable as it is relatable.

About the Author:
The Author, Siggi Rutherford died on 11th March 2024, after having completed this diary in the latter part of 2023.
Her husband, Malcolm, married Siggi in 1965 whilst serving in The Royal Air Force in Germany.
“It is with respect and admiration I salute my wife for her tenacity and determination in completing her diary whilst extremely ill over the last few months.” Malcolm Rutherford
Preface:
Words are an important part of life, especially during childhood. This book was created from years of diary entries in the hope the words in this book can remind everyone of the priceless moments in time spent with their family and friends and especially children, siblings and grandchildren.
Recalling children’s normal growing pains, eager to fit into the grown-up, complicated world around them, each in their individual and innocent way. Time flies by and scatters the memories of moments that would hurt so much if they were forgotten. And out of the mouths of babes come some very funny and interesting things.
This book and its diary logs are about two sisters who grew up in Spain with the fragrance orange blossom heavy in the air. The time they spent in their little orchard, becoming aware of the lilt of happy voices, and fulfilling the scope of their creative imagination.
From naturally competing with each other and anyone else around, revelling initially in everything that moves, squeaks or sparkles to discussing the differences of their own opinions and challenging everything around them.
They listened to the buzz of the industrious, energetic bees, darting from blossom to blossom, avoiding the barbs, and resting on the shiny leaves of the ever-changing orange trees, harmonising with the ever-present chattering cicadas, which created a magical soundtrack to the sisters’ daily adventures.
The girls were born three years apart into a large European family circle, who had decided to make their home in Spain.
This book documents and treasures their encounters while exploring their surroundings, from the mountains to the sea, from play parks to historic buildings, and eventful journeys to their other roots in Scotland, England, Germany and Holland. Their journey was destined to be life-changing with obstacles, challenges and wonderous milestones along the way.
All events are based on truth and re-told with a little bit of poetic licence, a good dash of local colour, a lot of humour and most of all lots of love and guidance.

Edited comments from Amazon:
“Beautiful observational book with highs and lows. Such a lovely read. I highly recommend this book.” (Rating: 5.0 out of 5 Stars)
“It's a different book from any other I've ever read. A true story about family history, written by a loving grandmother. An extraordinary legacy for her granddaughters.” (Rating: 5.0 out of 5 Stars)
“What a beautiful diary of the upbringing of her grandchildren. Written with humour and emotion it takes you through the highs and lows of family life.” (Rating: 5.0 out of 5 Stars)
“A lovely read and a great legacy”. (Rating: 5.0 out of 5 Stars)
“Heartfelt, a lovely family orientated book, a great read.” (Rating: 5.0 out of 5 Stars)
A Printed or Kindle copy of the book is available from Amazon at: https://amzn.eu/d/iDmkzws