Summer and flies

My goodness, it seems nobody is blogging nowadays. I for one am so busy with the yard. It takes me about two hours every evening to water the flowers and lately the grass. It is almost 9:30 and I finally turned the water off.

It has been a wonderful summer I must say, there are no mosquito's at least in our area of the city. Ted and I were sitting outside a while ago. All we have to worry about are the ever present flies.

The other evening we were having our supper outside on the deck and for some reason the flies were so bad that we both had a fly-swatter. We must have killed at least one hundred of them. It was the "middle east" in our own backyard. The deck was covered with them so I actually had to vacuum the carpet.

We are so very fortunate to have airconditioning. In Holland they are having a heatwave, people do not know what to do to keep cool. My sister told me she was sitting outside with the fan on her. In all of Europe it is the same thing

Good news

Well the news was good. Dr Harris said: "I just love it when all the tests come out perfect!" As a matter of fact she is skipping the colonoscopy one year, which suits me just fine. She would like to see me six months from now and wished us a Merry Christmas. I sure do not want this mosquito free summer to go by too fast that's for sure, for it has been great.

We are very thankful to the Lord for giving us both good health. You do appreciate good health after you have been sick (with cancer). To be able to do the things I have been doing, even back on my bike since Yvonne and Jason moved closer to us. When I was still in Holland as a young girl on my bike, in the rain I might add, seeing all the cars driving by I promised myself that if ever I would be lucky enough to own a car someday, I would never ever touch a bike again!

Waiting for results!

Today I will be going to the cancer clinic for an appointment with my oncologist. She will let me know the results of the tests done on me the last few weeks, CTScan, bloodwork etc. The same were done in January just before our trip to Holland (that trip seems like ages ago!).

Up to this point I have not been anxious at all, but Ted and I know from experience that the moment they stick us in the little office to await the entrance of Dr Harris we look at each other, yes that is a bit nerve-racking. Upon her entrance she has my big file in her hands and there is NO small-talk, it is a "live or die" kind of thing. So we will just have to wait till about 3:00pm this afternoon. The minute we come out of the Hospital we begin to make the calls with the result to our children and to those we know who are really interested in our well being.

Last week Yvonne, the girls and I were in Wal-Mart shopping and looking around, (while the girls are sitting in a shopping cart with a few things from the toy department to keep them occupied). We looked in the houseware department and came upon white dishes. We both like the same stuff, though Yvonne is so more creative than I. I mentioned to Yvonne, I have loved white plain dishes ever since we just got married (46 years ago), but they were never a priority as we put all our extra cash into musical instruments. Now I am 66 years old I still do not have them.

My question to her was: "Am I not to old to buy a whole new set of dishes?" I always think how important is it. To which practical Yvonne laughingly replied: "Not at all Mom, when we buy the same I will have a double set when your time comes!" She can say things like that to me as I have a great sense of humor. We stood there in that isle laughing.
No.... I did NOT buy them, yet!!

Been thinking

God looks not at the outward form
But what is in the heart;
The beauty He is pleased to see,
His Spirit can impart.
Our mirrors reflect the outward appearance;
God's mirror reveals the inward condition.

Where have I been? Right here at home!

I have not been faithful to my "few" readers.
As we have mentioned, Ted a bit more than I actually, we were away to attend the funeral of my eldest brother Dirk. It has not really sunk into me that he is gone. What is that about family? There is this love running through our veins. It was good to be part of the funeral, actually a tribute as he was being cremated. Before the service in their church a chance was given to view him.
There was a beautiful reception prepared by the ladies of the church. Afterward there was a very relaxing time (family only) at Robert and Dafne's place. Robert is the youngest son. They had this fantastic buffet and we were able to sit in their backyard. It was wonderful to be together like that and how happy I felt to be part of it.











My grand niece Emilie chatting with her brother Derek who flew in from BC.So it was also a happy reunion for the family.







We know where he is which is a real comfort to his wife Willy and all of us.

This morning Ted and I were watching a religious program in which the preacher mentioned that we are to rule with Christ. Ted said: "I agree with him we are to rule there "big time", may be even ruling our own planet!" He continued by saying, " there is nothing to rule on this planet, we end up ruling each other!" To which I replied: "You are ruling me already, I do not want to go into eternity like this!" It has got to be better, else I ain't going, hahaha!

My Eulogy

In memory of my brother Dirk

I am representing my family in Holland who sent those beautiful flowers over to my right.

Dirk was the oldest of nine children.
My earliest recollection of my brother Dirk is as a little girl 4-5 years old. I remember being very fond of him. He at that time was living as an intern at the hospital (where he met his sweetheart Willy)! I remember not liking it that he had to leave every time and I would wave at him till he was out of site.

Then when they were married and the little ones came along, Geoff (Govert) who we called "Govertje" and as I just watched him he still has that spring in his step! Nelly had the name "Nelleke" and a few years later Robert with the name "Robertje". What fun it was when they came over to celebrate Christmas with us or for other special days. Our Mother would spoil the grandchildren, which was not very much appreciated by Dirk and Willy. Actually I do the same with our grandchildren, (our children wonder how come they were not allowed to do those things!)

When I got a bit older I was allowed to spend a few weeks with them during the summer vacations. It was an escape for me as Willy and Dirk noticed that there were way to many things I had to do as a young girl. When I barely reach the counter I had to wash the dishes!! For that I am thankful even after all these years!

Our Mother was especially fond of her oldest son Dirk and they had this unusual bond. We were blessed with praying parents. Dirk and I were talking about that in our last conversation. Dirk mentioned again to me that the whole family ought to be right with God. I assured him that they would eventually as God hears our prayer. He then began to cry and thanked me for the assurance.

Dirk told me that at a younger age he was somewhere he was not supposed to be, became very restless, got up and went home. Mother asked him where were you at that particular time? Because she had felt she ought to be praying for him.

In the late forties shortly after the war the Dutch were able to immigrate to a country of their choice. Because our minister had connections in Canada the choice for us was Canada. The Government would pay the fare by boat. We were all going through the immigration process when one of our brothers, was not healthy enough to go. Our parents had to cancel the emigration procedures.

Though Dirk and Willy and their three children went ahead and they left in the spring of 1952. Can you just imagine what a terrible shock that was for our Mother? Canada in those days was so far if they had gone to the moon it would not have made a difference. She was deeply mourning the loss of her son and his family.

Our Mother passed away in 1956 because of cancer as well, and she so much wanted to see Dirk before she went to be with the Lord. But traveling in those days was so expensive, at least half a year of income and Dirk and Willy were trying to get established in Canada, which was not easy for immigrants.

What a happy reunion they are having right now!!!
When my mother passed away I seemed to be the able person to continue looking after the household, as I already was helping her when she got sick. But my dream was to go to Canada and see my brother whom I missed so much. It seemed an impossibility at that time.

How totally exited I was in 1958 when we found out that Dirk had joined the air force as a teacher and was to be stationed in France for four years. When our father remarried again they came to the rescue and let me stay with them in France for a couple of weeks.

I took the remarriage of my father very hard, having another woman fill the place of our mother whom I missed so desperately. But Willy made me focus on the positive side, I could finally be a teenager, get a job and make some money, and be able to grow my nails and paint them instead of scrubbing the floor and washing clothes with my hands, how wise she was!

God made it possible for me to come to Canada when I fell in love with "the man of my dreams" who came to Holland for a visit in 1960. We got married in Winnipeg shortly after and after 46 years are still there..

What I remember about my brother is his strong character, (sometimes too strong)! His love for his family his generosity and most important of all his faith in God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I thank him, and Willy as well, for being there for me when I needed them. We also had a strong bond because of our love for the Lord. I know that Dirk prayed daily for Ted and me as we were fighting our bouts with cancer recently.

Due to the Internet and cheap telephone communications I was able to keep the family in Holland up to date on his last days in the Hospital. They are sending their love to Willy and the children and grandchildren.

Psalm 31:14
But as for me, I trust in You o Lord.
I say, "You are my God, my times are in Your Hands."

Job 14:5
Since his days are determined
the number of months is with You
and his limits You have set!

Back home again!

Wednesday the 28th I came back home from my trip to the South. It was difficult to say goodbye but again great to be home where I belong with my husband.

It has been a a few days since I blogged.

Yesterday I lost my eldest brother Dirk, who was battling cancer for the last several weeks. From a healthy 83 year old just a few months ago he lost his fight to that dreadful decease. I simply cannot believe it. I was so very fond of him. He leaves to mourn, his wife Willy of 60 years and his children and granchildren.

Ted and I will be going to Whitby, Ontario for the funeral this week. We will be leaving Wednesday morning with Air Canada at 6:45am and return Saturday evening the 8th.

It is a strange thing that he was praying for us during our bouts with cancer and now he is with the Lord. So we never know when the Lord calls us home.

I will be having all my tests in July as a matter of fact I have to cancel my CTScan scheduled for this week. Hopefully they are able to slot me in before I see the oncologist later on in the month. I am feeling excellent though for which I am very thankful.

Ted's tests turned out all normal last month.