She was the woman who fed my love for singing as I heard her continually humming or singing as she was cooking, cleaning, gardening, etc. She taught me to knit, the Dutch way. She loved her garden and it was always full of roses and other beautiful flowers, we would spend many afternoons out there enjoying the garden and laughing with each other over a cupje thee. She would always spoil us grandkids with snoepjes, oliebollen at Christmas, and other delicious Dutch treats. Above all these, she was a woman of great faith, and for that I will always look up to her.
Last night as we were sitting in the hospital, waiting for some paperwork and such, the whole family was just sitting, enjoying each others company, and reminiscing and laughing at some memories with Oma. And there was a moment where I thought, no one who walks by us right now would ever think we had just lost a loved one. And although all of us are sad and hurting, we all have hope and know without a doubt that she's in the presence of the Lord in heaven and she's praising and glorifying His matchless name. Absent in the flesh, but present with the Lord. And though she's no longer here, we know that we will see her again, when we are in heaven praising the Lord with her.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him." - Lamentations 3:22-24
Ik hou van je, Oma.
(August 23, 1925-August 24, 2012)
