Sisters reunited – a tale of family love

A long lost sister was found and their journey has been a roller-coaster ride ever since.

The NEWS reported in October last year that the two sisters met for the first time after nearly 60 years of not knowing about each other.

Jenny Horton, from Edenvale, met with the NEWS again to share the story about what has happened since the news broke in 2015.

Jenny said it felt like it was yesterday when she never knew her sister Joy Strydom even existed.

“Life has really changed for us, in the best way possible. The love of a sister is phenomenal and even though we were only recently reconnected, I feel like I have known her all my life,” said Jenny.

The sisters were given a second opportunity when Ms Leonie Erasmus, the founder of Adopted Child emailed Jenny and told her about Joy, who has been searching for her biological mother.

“When I was told I have a sister, the shock I felt was indescribable. Many times I sit back and think about how lucky we were to have met,” she said.

She said as sisters, having to get to know each other at an older age was not difficult because they have many things in common.

They spent their first Christmas together which gave Joy an opportunity to meet Jenny’s daughters and the extended family.

“Our first Christmas was amazing and Joy’s daughter stays in Honeydew so I was able to meet them too. My sister and I speak to each other every day and I plan on visiting her in Port Elizabeth as much as I possibly can,” she said.

Jenny said her life has changed tremendously because she has someone who has so much in common with her.

“We were never ever apart, she’s my sister and I wouldn’t change how we met and what we have been through. It makes us appreciate each other even more. We have to be open minded about what has happened in the past. Many siblings have met like my sister and I but they grow apart again. My sister is a part of my life now and if anything were to happen to her it would be a great loss,” said Jenny.