In 1925, the granddaughter of Queen Victoria, called Princess Marie Louise, said of Ghana, “What is its spell? I cannot tell you, nor wherein lies its unfathomable charm. It lays its hand upon you, and, having felt its compelling strength, you never can forget it or be wholly free of it…”

As this story comes to a close, I'd like to say a few words about "Miss Rosie," my granddaughter-by-affection.For the past few years, Rosemary and I have spent many happy hours together in my sewing room as she began to develop her creative talents as a quilter. We've listened to Harry Potter tapes together and we've shared many a congenial lunch at the table in my sunroom.

I was at once thrilled and flattered when this 16-year-old asked me to be her traveling companion in Ghana, and I scarcely blinked before I said yes to her invitation. Yet, as the day of our departure neared, I began to wonder whether we would be able to sustain our easy relationship with one another for 24 days and nights, halfway around the world from home.

I needn't have worried. Rosie rose to every occasion of unappetizing food and unpleasant cold showers, lumpy beds and ugly black spiders with an absence of complaint and a display of circumspect grace.

Last week, Rosie turned 17, and I gave her a scrapbook for her pictures and memories from Ghana. In two days' time, a thank-you letter arrived in my mailbox, addressed to Madam Bonnie Dalzell. The letter said, in part: "I'm glad to be home. I'm glad to have what I have. I'm glad to be 17. And I'm glad to have you."

There's simply no doubt: Rosemary Limburg is a young woman of unfathomable charm.