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!