Memoirs of a Family

once there was two.  Now there are 248.  This is the story of my family.

Today’s family reunion saw about 248 renditions, combinations, and illustrations of our unique and beautiful DNA.  We are a very tall tribe, strong-boned, and sturdy-hipped.  Many of us behold this world with an intensely blue gaze.  We are fiercely stubborn, passionately loyal, and decidedly tenacious.   You might not want to mess with, argue with, or cross us!

Several years ago, our matriarch – Beppe (Dutch Frisian for grandma) – passed away and we’ve all felt a little disconnected and disjointed since then.

But today – today marked 70 years since my grandparents crossed an ocean with six children and a seventh baby on the way from the Netherlands to Canada - and we all needed to gather, remember, and celebrate. 

About half of us could be there, because….well, you try to schedule something with 248 stubborn, loyal, and tenacious tall people  and you know why only half of us could be there.

So we gathered under the pristine blue skies to share, talk, and reminisce.  It’s something families can do well when they spend time together.  My Aunt Susan stood up to share her 9-year-old memories of that Great Adventure that was their immigration story to Canada.

“We were so excited about this adventure on a boat that would take us to Canada.  Because we couldn’t take much money over, our parents bought us new clothes and shoes before we left.  We were so excited but also so sad to say good-bye to friends, family, church family, neighbours, and Oma.  We knew we might never see them again,” she shared. 

I couldn’t even imagine that kind of good-bye.  I can’t even imagine that kind of adventure.  But I’m so glad my Pake and Beppe did. 

Once there were just the two of them, married during World War II.  My Beppe wore a black dress, because that’s what Dutch brides did during the war.  And now - even though Pake and Beppe no longer walk this earth - their legacy does in 248 variations.  Their legacy exists in the lives of their seven children (one passed on), in the lives of their grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. 

Every single one of us has been touched, tainted, and tailored by joy and sorrow, life and loss, birth and death, healing and hurt.  It’s shaped the tall, sturdy-boned, fiercely stubborn people we’ve become and as we live, breathe, and live out these days God’s given us, I’m curious as to what comes next.  What stories will we create?  What adventures will we embark upon?  What connections will we make?  What legacy will we leave behind?

Once there was two.  Now there are 248.  Let the story continue…