- On Saturday late afternoon my husband Pieter, lost his eldest brother Thé.
- Now he is the only one left... He did have two brothers up till six years ago.
- Again, a lost battle with cancer.
- All that remains are the MEMORIES of HAPPY TIMES.
- It is not easy for being over 4,000 miles away from The Netherlands.
- We cannot attend his funeral because the ticket price for a flight, departing next day, is very steep. Also the stress for going on a trip in a hurry is not a good thing for my Pieter.
- He is a heart patient and we better heed his health as Pieter's open heart surgery from two years ago is not meant to be ignored.
- Even more emotional since he's the only one left...
- Having been to The Netherlands 63 times, since we immigrated on August 29 of 1983, is what keeps us upright.
- We've done what we could and Thé & Dora have always appreciated that very much.
- For the rest it was just the routine of weekly phone calls and that were happy times.
- We talked with Thé last, on Sunday a week ago...
- The youngest, Pieter, to the left and the eldest, Thé to the right.
- This is in our living room as Thé came to visit us in the USA, from The Netherlands.
- These are great lasting memories, for us to live on...
- From left to right: Thé, me and Dora the wife of Thé.
- When they did celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, we went to The Netherlands for celebrating that.
- Dora did pass away in April of 2010...
- Below this post you find a link about my post {FOND MEMORIES}
- Together in St. Augustine, Florida ~ Oldest City in the USA.
- Thé and Dora my sister-in-love, have been always such generous hosts so I did reciprocate with a High Tea for friends, in their honor.
- Labor of love...
- A special birthday celebration for the middle brother Toon (r).
- Pieter wearing his Zegna suit from Outlet.
Indeed: MEMORIES of HAPPY TIMES.
RIP Thé and one day we will meet again!
Related links:
{FOND MEMORIES} | previous post by me
{Do YOU all know Our Nations Oldest City - St. Augustine, Florida?} | previous post by me
i am sorry, mariette, for you and pieter. i know it is very hard to be so far away and unable to attend a service. but hold him in your heart, as i know you will.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is so hard being away from family, especially when dear ones become ill and depart. Sad for you, and especially Pieter today. I know you would have been back in the Netherlands if you could have made it happen. Sad times for your family, but Pieter should take good care of himself! Special thoughts to you two, Mariette. Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)
ReplyDeleteDearest Mariette、
ReplyDeleteOh, I really am so sorry for both of you!
He must be a very important person for your dear husband as we can see from your post. What lovely memories you have and it is such a wonderful thing for a couple to have 50th anniversary. My mother passed away several years before that and I truly wished they could have the anniversary. And I remember very well the sorrow my dad had when my mother died. Your husband's brother must have a great shock when he lost his loving wife 2 years ago.
Take Care of Yourselves, both of you!!!
We haven't met each other, but you are my Dearest friend now and always in my mind. My thoughts always, Mariette,
Sending you lots of love and hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*
My dear Mariette,
ReplyDeleteI am sorry for your loss . It is difficult for both of you that you can go there. But always you will have him in your hearts .
My thoughts to you
Olympia
Dear Mariette, I am so sorry for the loss of Peiter's precious brother. It is understandable that you would not be able to go back, and I know his brother would not want it any other way. You have your special memories to hold close to your heart of a beautiful family and special times together filled with love. My deepest condolences. xx
ReplyDeleteLiebe Mariette,
ReplyDeletedeine Fotos sind sehr ausdrucksvoll.
Sonnige Grüße
Elisabeth
Lieve Mariette en Pieter,
ReplyDeleteGecondoleerd en heel veel sterkte!
Lieve groetjes Sandy
Cara Mariette,mi dispiace,è triste!Tante condoglianze!Sicuramente con te vicino Peter cercherà di reagire!Baci,Rosetta
ReplyDeleteDearest Mariette,
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about Pieter's brother passing. It's a very sad event for the two of you. The pictures and the good memories as precious. Sending prayers and caring thoughts your way.
Doris
Liebe Mariette,
ReplyDeletedas tut mir sehr leid - mein herzliches Beileid -
wie schön, dass ihr Erinnerungsfotos habt, wenn ihr schon so weit voneinander seid - aber in Gedanken und im Herzen seid ihr euch nah -
lg. Ruth
I'm so sorry to hear of this. Losing a sibling is always difficult. It's hard not to be with family but I think you are wise to give Pieter's health a priority.
ReplyDeleteTake car...*s*
Mein herzliches Beileid euch allen, liebe Mariette!
ReplyDeleteEines Tages bleiben nur noch die Erinnerungen... Wie schön trotz aller Trauer, wenn es sich dabei um Erinnerungen an glückliche Zeiten handelt!
Liebste Grüße an dich und deinen Mann,
Traude
Wat een naar bericht vandaag lieverd....ik wens julilie heel veel sterkte de komende tijd.....lijkt me heel moeilijk als je niet naar de begrafenis kunt van je eigen broer...omdat je zover van elkaar vandaan woont.....ik moet er niet aan denken.....sterkte nogmaals.......liefs Ria en Rein
ReplyDeleteDearest Mariette, I am so sorry for your loss. I know that you will be reunited someday. You are right to be protective of Pieter. I am sure the two of them had, long ago, said everything that was necessary.
ReplyDeleteOur prayers for the comfort and peace of the family.
Love to you and Pieter,
Ginger
I am so sorry to hear about the sad news. Your photos are wonderful. Everyone looks happy...truly memories of happy times. It must be hard not being able to go for funeral but it's better choice considering Pieter's health. I believe his brother would agree.
ReplyDeleteSending prayers and warm thoughts for you...
Dear Mariette,
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear of Pieter's and your loss. It's good you have so many good memories to remember him by.
Thinking of you.
Madelief x
Liebe Mariette und lieber Pieter,
ReplyDeleteauch von mir herzliches Beileid. Es ist schwer, liebe Menschen zu verlieren, die einem nahe stehen. Eure Schwägerin wird das sicher verstehen, dass ihr nicht zur Beerdigung kommt. Man trägt die Menschen, die man liebt, sowieso im Herzen bei sich.
Ganz liebe Grüße,
Johanna
I am so, so sorry! That is life...
ReplyDeleteWat een triest bericht. Heel spijtig dat jullie er niet naartoe kunnen. Ik wens jullie heel veel sterkte de komende tijd.
ReplyDeleteLieve groet,
Dear Mariette,
ReplyDeleteSo very sorry to hear of the sad news, of Pieter's brother passing.
Lovely that you can think of all the happy times and memories you all shared.
My sincere condolences, and may you find comfort at this time.
Hugs
Carolyn
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you both as well as your family during this time. Thé will forever remain in your hearts and the memories you created together. His spirit will continue to look over you both.
ReplyDeleteIt breaks are hearts that the airlines cannot provide affordable transportation during such as heart breaking time of losing a family member.
My friend your photos are filled with the love, respect and care that you all had for each other. The photo of you in your breakfast area, preparing tea - looks like a photo straight out of a magazine, brilliant.
Many hugs and much love from us here in Canada. xo C (HHL)
Dearest Mariette,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to read of the passing of Pieter's eldest brother. What a beautiful family you all are and the photos share this so perfectly. Life takes many turns doesn't it my friend. Please know that you both will be in my thoughts and prayers in the days ahead. I am glad you will stay state side and be mindful of Pieter's heart. The' would want him to take care of himself at this time.
Sending you heartfelt sympathy in your loss and many prayers in the days ahead.
My hugs surround you and my heart feels your pain.
Love to you both.
Celestina Marie
Dear Mariette and Pieter,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to read of the passing of one so dear to you both. I know how you are feeling since I also lost my sister only 3 months ago she was only 57yrs old.
The memories you have will always be in your heart only for you. Wonderful times spent together will never be forgotten.
God bless you both, I will keep you all in my prayers.
Sending you big hugs, Elizabeth
Dearst MAriette and dearest Pieter,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your lost and I can feel with you in your pain! It is helpful, that you can think about all those good memories and you did this post for him! Those wonderful and happy moments will be in your hearst forever!
I am sure your sister in Law can understand, that you can't come for the funeral.....
My thoughts will be with you , my hugs be surround you....and I'll enclose you all in my prayers!
Sending my Love,
Claudia
"Like a comment blazing 'cross the eastern sky...gone too soon..."
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry for your loss, Mariette. May God the Father be with you all.
Love, Rebecca
Ohhh,Mariette ik lees nu pas het droevige bericht van het overlijden van pieter zijn broer en ik wil langs deze weg onze oprechte medeleven tonen...Nog gecondoleerd met deze droevige overlijden.En ik kan mij goed voorstellen dat het heel extra zwaar voor jullie is om dat je zover weg woont maar de gezondheid van Pieter is ook héél belangrijk hoor.Ik wens jullie samen héél véél sterkte voor de komende tijd. Lieverd en geef je onze medeleven ook even door aan Pieter.....Ik denk aan jullie hoor !!!!!
ReplyDeleteLieve groetjes en een dikke knuffel van mij...ELLY:
I am so sorry for your and Pieter's loss Mariette. It's never easy being away from those we love.
ReplyDeleteBig hugs!
xo Catherine
Het is heel triest Mariette en op zo'n moment heel jammer dat je dan niet dichterbij woont. Veel sterkte voor je man,
ReplyDeletelieve groetjes Janny
Loss can be so hard and the memories bittersweet! ...But thank goodness for the memories ;)
ReplyDeleteDear Mariette, we just returned from our trip to Germany several hours ago and I am checking emails and your blog is one of the first I have read in a week. So sorry to hear of your brother-in-law's passing. It is difficult to be so far away at this time. Sending hugs and blessings of comfort to you both. Tammy
ReplyDeleteOh Mariette,
ReplyDeletei am so sorry to read this sad news. Even sadder to know that it will be impossible for your husband to travel home for the funeral but completely agree with your decision.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and yout family.
Big hugs from Toronto.
Dearest Mariette, I send you my condolences!
ReplyDeleteHugs from Sweden/Astrid
Dear Mariette, I'm sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Dearest Mariette,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your and Pieter's loss. Cancer is such a wicked thief, and it breaks my heart to know it has won another good soul. But I am glad that you have the wisdom to know that travel isn't good for Pieter. It is so much more important to keep him well so that you two may enjoy many, many long years to come.
Blessings and hugs,
Katie B.
Lieve Mariette en Pieter,
ReplyDeleteNadat we vanavond laat van vakantie terug gekomen zijn lees ik het trieste bericht van het overlijden van Pieters broer en jou zwager.
Ik las in je vorige privé mail al dat het erg slecht met hem ging en nauwelijks vier dagen na mijn reactie op die mail is broerlief overleden lees ik nu.
Wil jullie bij deze nog mijn innige deelneming overbrengen.
Wat hebben jullie samen een verdrietige tijd door moeten maken de afgelopen weken want ik lees in een volgende post ook over het overlijden van Anita's vader,vreselijke berichten allemaal...
Hoop dat jullie de kracht hebben om door te gaan en troost kunnen putten uit de mooie en fijne herinneringen uit het leven die jullie samen met familie hadden.
Eens zullen jullie elkaar weer zien want ik geloof niet dat de dood van geliefde personen het einde van alles is of afscheid voor eeuwig.
Veel sterkte wens ik jullie voor nu en in de toekomst.
Liefs en ik sla in gedachten een arm om je heen en leef met jullie mee,
Ger