Silver and Gold

About the Book

This is the story of survival of two girls—sisters who were born into a family of immigrant parents. They were loved and cherished for the first seven years of their lives. It was after the death of their father that everything changed. Displayed are authentic images of papers and photographs, most of which were taken over ninety years ago. Although many are not legible, they are nonetheless original. There are a few pictures of the girls when they were young and as they were growing up into adulthood. Read about their attempts at various jobs, where at times, they meet interesting people, along with perplexing and stressful circumstances. Several of the employments involved intense struggles along with near-impossible situations. The creative side of Rosemary and Diane was evident early in their adult lives. Rosemary is an accomplished artist with many spectacular oil paintings throughout her lovely home in California. She has written poetry for years, with a chapter of her beautiful poems at the conclusion of this book. Diane also has painted numerous pieces, many of which have been sold in her daughter’s design shop. She is the author of four storybooks, each written about her travel adventures and comically narrated by a rabbit. The stories appear to transport the reader to Paris, Egypt, Mackinac Island, and finally, a cruise to Hawaii. The books are filled with her personal photographs and images of her artwork along with poems. You will be drawn into the difficulties and challenges they faced and how they overcame so much heartache, heartbreak, and verbal abuse, somehow managing to survive all. That they are now in their eighth decade in life and are living a normal and peaceful existence is in itself one of God’s small miracles.

About the Author

Here they are…sisters, survivors, understanding so much about life. Living the importance of gratitude and hope, over and over. Enriched by love, family, and prayers, along with the countless memories that “experiencing life” burdened them with. A popular quote reads, “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade”… they did. Also, “when rocks appear in your path, don’t trip and fall over them, use them as stepping stones”… they did. The attitude, thought patterns and seeing the cup “half full” instead of “half empty” is how they progressed in life and taught their children. A recent photograph of the two of them together gave Rosemary the idea of a title. Her hair is such a beautiful “silver’ shade, and Diane’s hair appears “gold.” Therefore…”Silver and Gold, The True Story of Two Survivors,” was selected. Although the sisters lived on opposite sides of the country for the past sixty years, they were constantly in touch with one another, traveling often to be together and sharing their stories of the children and grandchildren. Both families knew very little of what the sisters faced along their path of life. They both often agreed that it could have been worse, so much worse. The reasons for this book is quite obvious; to let the past surface and the truth be told.