Far away, some 7,083 km or 4,400 miles flying distance + several hours by car, my Daddy - Papa is having his 93rd Birthday. We have been only to one of his birthdays in 1987, in all 30 years as immigrants. That is the price one pays for being far, far away. But on the other hand, nobody ever came to my birthday here in Dublin, Georgia.
That's life!
Here is a Happy Dad, on the couch with me here in Dublin, Georgia in March of 1993 when he came to Georgia from The Netherlands, without Mom.
I'd given Dad a ticket to San Francisco where we both went together.
Some very fond memories!
Dad in his beautiful garden at a time when we visited them in The Netherlands, October 6, 1985.
His beautiful garden, where several Bridal pictures have been made, is no more as there is now half a village build and many homes surround their now small property...
Only the memories remain!
Here Dad is with me at the Okefenokee swamp in south Georgia on December 1, 1990
Dad at the Riverfront of Savannah Georgia on December 4, 1990
Dad came to the USA a total of 6 times and Mom joined him 4 times; so we do have lots of fond memories of their stay on this side of the Atlantic Ocean.
In our 30 years as immigrants we visited them 63 times either from Georgia, USA; Italy or from Indonesia.
a happy birthday wished to your father. blessings to him.
ReplyDeleteDearest Theresa,
DeleteIt has been a blessing already for them to be together this long and we hope that God continues to bless both of them.
Hugs,
Mariette
Many blessings and a long life for your dear dad, sweet Mariette! You are lucky to still have him, I lost my wonderful dad when he was 78...he'd be 95 this April coming.
ReplyDeleteLove,
FABBY
Dearest Fabby,
DeleteIndeed this is a blessing for still having a Dad. Pieter lost his Dad about at the same age as your Dad... prior to him becoming the principal of the 1st and only practical training college in the world for mushroom growing... But for sure, he knew all about it from heaven!
Even having only a long-distance Dad is worth it!
Hugs,
Mariette
Happy birthday to your Papa, dear Mariette!!! I wish him many happy returns in joy and good health!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your lovely photos and fond memories of your times together..
Many hugs to you,
Marie-Anne
Dearest Marie-Anne,
DeleteGlad you understand at least 'Papa' as here in the USA they say that to their Grandfather... Confusing in a way but we understand!
Thank you for your well wishes and when I make the phone call in the morning I will pass them on from all over the world.
Hugs,
Mariette
Lieve Mariette,
ReplyDeleteHartelijk gefeliciteerd met jou vaders verjaardag,ook al is de afstand in kilometers te ver om dit samen met hem te vieren,het is natuurlijk wel heel fijn dat hij nog in jullie midden is en jij zal zeker contact met hem hebben in skype.
Mooie foto's en nog mooiere herinneringen van zijn bezoeken aan jullie!!!
Neem maar een lekker stukje gebak en een toost op zijn 93ste verjaardag en op een snel weerzien in goede gezondheid met de familie samen;-)
Lieve groet,
Ger
Lieve Ger,
DeleteJa wij hebben contact en natuurlijk zijn wij ook in gedachten daar. Mooie herinneringen aan hun bezoeken hier hebben we genoeg, ook op video.
We zullen op Papa toasten en bedankt voor je lieve wensen.
Ja een weerzien zal best goed zijn!
Liefs,
Mariette
Dearest Mariette, You Papa is a handsome man and looked to young and well while here at age 73. I know you cherish those memories of your childhood and those of his visits here.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Papa,
Love to you, Ginger
Dearest Ginger,
DeleteThank you and indeed only the last decennia Papa started to look older but before that, nobody would have guessed his age. My Pieter is very much like him in a way; physical active and fit and that helps a lot.
Hugs to you,
Mariette
Although our family doesn't live countries apart, simply one Canadian province away from each other, Wayne's family never comes to our house. We have lived here in Swift Current for 25 years. His sister has been here once. His brother 3 times. We go home to Manitoba at least twice a year but sometimes 5 or 6 times. You are right. That is life! How wonderful that you have good memories of times spent together.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend Mariette!
xo Catherine
Dearest Catherine,
DeleteLife can indeed end up being out of sight and at times out of touch with family. It is for the memories you have that will make up for that part. Being happily married, having a job and raising a family is all that matters. You at least do make the effort of traveling to family for a visit; that always pays off as it gives you peace of mind for whatever happens.
Happy weekend to you as well.
Hugs,
Mariette
I know what you mean. We have been able to visit my family every other year. We think that as my parents get older, we will start making annual trips.
ReplyDeleteDearest Daniela,
DeleteNo matter how you look at it, going back to your roots across the ocean is a very costly thing and not easy. But at least we can say we did it 63 times and that gives us peace of mind!
Hugs to you,
Mariette
Happy Birthday to your Dear Father, dearesr Mariette!
ReplyDeleteMay he have a wonderful and blessed day!
Happy weekend to you,
Love and hugs
Claudia
Dearest Claudia,
DeleteThank you for the birthday wishes for my Dad!
Wishing you a happy weekend too.
Hugs,
Mariette
Happy Birthday to you darling Dad. You are so lucky to still have him. What a grand age! Distance seems so far at times of celebration like this.
ReplyDeletehugs Kay
Dearest Kay,
DeleteThank you very much! Yes, we all are being blessed for having him around that long.
He belongs in the top 10% for reaching such a high age with sharp mind and being physically fit.
Distance is being bridged only inside the heart!
Hugs,
Mariette
Liebe Mariette,
ReplyDeleteden guten Wünschen schließe ich mich an.
Alles Gute
Elisabeth
Liebe Elisabeth,
DeleteDanke dafür!
Schönes erstes Wochenende für 2014.
Lieber Gruss,
Mariette
Good morning dear Mariette!!!Happy Birthday to your dear Dad!!He is a handsome man!!!
ReplyDeleteI know how it is,i have'nt seen mine,he's in Australia,for 25 years!We only talk on the phone!
Wish you a lovely and happy weekend!!Hugs!!
Dimi...
Dearest Dimi,
DeleteIt is tough for being sandwiched like you between so many different countries for your loved ones. Australia is not easy to reach; other than by phone.
Thank you very much for your sweet comment.
Happy 1st weekend for 2014.
Hugs,
Mariette
Hartelijk gefeliciteerd met je vader. Hij heeft wel een heel hoge leeftijd bereikt, die niet iedere man haalt.
ReplyDeleteKoester hem maar.
Groeten, Marianne
Beste Marianne,
DeleteJa, dank je wel en hij behoort zeker al in de top 10% van hoogbejaarden en dat in zíjn nog altijd goede staat. Hij rijdt nog zelf en kan bijna alles zonder bril nog lezen. Maar je weet maar nooit... Ik zou hun graag wat meer willen verwennen door lekker voor hun te koken, met name voor de wintermaanden maar ik zit té ver weg. Het laatste kookte ik voor hun in oktober/november 2005 toen we hun voor 6 weken bij ons hadden. Nu kan ik helaas niks voor hun doen... Een lieve schoonzus had hun weer verwend met een lekker Kerst diner!
Liefs,
Mariette
Van harte gefeliciteerd Mariette. Inderdaad te ver weg voor een verjaardagsvisite. Mooie foto's en bijbehorende herinneringen. Fijn weekend, lieve groet
ReplyDeleteBeste Willy,
DeleteDank je wel en ja met die mooie foto's en goede herinneringen van een gelukkige tijd samen aan deze kant van de oceaan moeten wij het doen. Ooit bestaat het leven enkel uit herinneringen en of die mooi zijn of niet; dát hangt af van wat je tijdens het leven voor iemand betekende... Er bestaat nu eenmaal geen herkansing.
Fijn weekend en liefs,
Mariette
Felicidades super papa!!!!
ReplyDeleteBesos a toda la familia Mariette
Leti
Sin pereza
Thank you dear Leticia,
DeleteYou rightly can call him super Papa as he has proven the world to be one. He never dodged hard work and that probably kept him fit.
Hugs,
Mariette
Dearest Mariette;
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to your father♡♡♡ I LOVE the first picture with full of smile and happiness♪ How great you still have wonderful father with his age; even though there is a long distance which separates you two, ties or love between father and daughter must be a strong one. I can see the sweet resemblance between both of you. God bless your wonderful gardener father.
Sending you lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to my dear friend in America, xoxo Miyako*
Dearest Miyako,
DeleteThank you so much for your meaningful comment! The first picture is one that I came across the end of the year while scanning old slides. It made me very happy as such are the fond memories we keep forever in our hearts. Also when he no more is on this world; those great memories will stay!
You know already by experience...
Sending my Japanese friend lots of love and best wishes for the first weekend of 2014.
Hugs,
Mariette
Dearest Mariette;
DeleteGood Morning from Japan. OMG, I should have known better... I just wish to let you know my feeling of apology. Your dear father must be with you protecting you, my dear friend!!!
Sincerely to my dear friend in America, xoxo Miyako*
Dearest Miyako,
DeleteMy apologies: not speaking English as your mother tongue can make a big difference with one little subtlety... What I mean to say is, right now our Dad is still alive but such photos are the memories we keep forever in our hearts. Even when Dad no more will be on this world...
Sorry for overlooking this!
Hugs to you dear friend as you still grieve over the loss of your dear Dad.
Mariette
Oh, thank you so much for understanding. Yes, our lost ones are in our spirits forever. We DO share these feeling as we age, don't we... Memories of my parents and brother are never lost from my mind (*^_^*)
DeleteLots of Love and Hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*
★˛˚˛*˛°.˛*.˛°˛.*★* ★˛˚˛*˛°.˛*.˛°˛.*★* ★* 。*˛.★˛˚˛*˛°.˛*.˛°˛.*★
ReplyDelete˛°_██_*.。**./ \ .˛* .˛。.˛.*.★* Bonne Année * 2014*★ 。*
˛. (´• ̮•)*.。*/♫.♫\*˛.* ˛_Π____. -******* ˛* ˛*
.°( . • . ) ˛° ./• ‘♫ ‘ •\.˛*./______/~＼*. ˛*.。˛* ˛. *。
*(…’•’.. ) * ˛╬╬╬╬╬˛°. ｜田田 ｜門｜╬╬╬╬………
Anniversaire et
à bientôt
edith (iris)
Ma chère Edith,
DeleteMerci beaucoup et aussi a tu Bonne Année 2014.
Bisou,
Mariette
Dearest Mariette,
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful memories and photos you have of visits with your dear father. May he enjoy many more happy years.
Enjoy the week end......stay warm!
xox....*s*
Dearest Suzy,
DeleteThank you, we got lots of special photos and we keep many more impressions of happy moments together on this side of the ocean in our hearts forever.
Hugs and happy and cozy weekend to you as well.
Mariette
Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteNice photos!
Dearest Tummetott,
DeleteThank you and yes, those photos are treasures to me.
Hugs,
Mariette
Liebe Mariette,
ReplyDeletees ist so schön, dass du deine Erinnerungen hast. Wen man am
Geburtstag auch nicht immer beisammen sein kann, so sind die
lieben Gedanken doch bei ihm. Ihr Beiden seht sehr glücklich
aus auf den Fotos.
Ein schönes Wochenende wünscht dir
Irmi
Liebe Irmi,
DeleteJa besonders wenn man nicht beisammen sein kann sind die Erinnerungen noch wichtiger.
Es waren auch glückliche Tagen beisammen hier in Dublin und dass bleibt für immer im Herzen!
Lieber Gruss und schönes 1. Wochenende vom Jahr.
Mariette
Lieve Mariette - happy birthday to your Papa!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHoffentlich hast du seine guten Gene geerbt - für ein langes Leben!
Jetzt weiß ich auch, wo du dein jugendliches Aussehen herhast - denn auf dem ersten Foto von 1993 muss er nach meiner Berechnung schon 73 sein und sieht doch um einiges jünger aus! Wunderschöne Erinnerungen sind das!
Danke auch für deinen lieben Kommentar zum Mysore-Palast! Also, manche hatten bei den Palast- und Tempelbesichtigungen Socken an, aber ich bin immer barfuß gegangen, mir machte das nichts aus. Das ist wirklich ein sehr schöner Palast - er gefiel mir besser als andere Maharadjapaläste im Rajasthan.
Ganz liebe Rostrosengrüße, Traude
♥: ♥: ♥: ♥: ♥: ♥: ♥: ♥: ♥: ♥: ♥:
Liebe Traude,
DeleteJa danke und lassen wir es hoffen dass ich einige von seine gute Gene habe.
Mein Papa sah immer jünger aus als er war, besonders in diesem Bild an der Zeit. Heutzutage sind seine Haare ganz grau und dass macht schon einen Unterschied.
Mysore Palast war wirklich toll, wir haben noch sehr schöne Erinnerungen daran.
Lieber Gruss,
Mariette
Hello Mariette, What a great milestone for your father, and many happy returns of the occasion! With all your global traveling, I'm glad that you had so many chances to be together. I love the one of you two on the swamp
ReplyDeletebridge.
Precious memories, indeed.
--Jim
Dearest Jim,
DeleteThank you Jim and sure the photo on the swamp bridge is very special. It was Dad who instilled in us a love for nature as he took us on Sundays into nature to small lakes, the river, the heath, you name it. Either on his bike or in the little carriage with leather seating on both sides that was being pulled by our pony Perry. That instilled in most of us a fondness for nature for life and so much that my 2nd brother made a profession out of it and my eldest brother teams up with him a lot to photograph nature.
We always made long walks on wood trails and such and it makes life rich in many ways.
Glad for having these photos as happy memories of time together on this side of the Atlantic Ocean.
Hugs,
Mariette
Loved you photos Mariette:-) And it is nice to remember good memories like that:-) Happy Birthday to you dad - and enjoy the time. That is a good age:-) Just wonderful! All the best to you and your family:-)
ReplyDeleteDearest Eli Z,
DeleteYou fully understand what such visits and photos as a result of them mean to us as immigrants. They give you peace of mind and happiness for having captured true moments of happiness together. Maybe we as immigrants manage even more to capture those moments for ever... those that have their loved ones nearby usually don't really pay attention to them till it is too late.
We feel good about having had Mom & Dad stay with us for several times as we did gift them the ticket to come over to Georgia, USA and we have been to them 63 times.
Hugs,
Mariette
Happy birthday to your dad Mariette! It must be difficult having so much distance between you. I hope you were able to have a long conversation over the phone :-)
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely weekend!
Madelief x
Dearest Madelief,
DeleteThank you very much and it is even difficult on the day itself for having a long conversation; we better try again tomorrow!
Hugs and happy 1st weekend of 2014!
Mariette
Belas fotografias....Espectacular....
ReplyDeleteParabéns para o seu pai pelo aniversário....
Cumprimentos
Dear Fernando,
DeleteThank you for your birthday wishes for my Dad!
Happy New Year to you.
Mariette
Olá Marinete
ReplyDeleteMuitos parabéns para o seu pai, que bom ter um pai com essa idade.
Aproveite a sua companhia e passe todo o tempo que puder com ele, felicidades.
Manuela
Querida Manuela,
DeleteDesculpe, mas o pai não está aqui nos EUA, nem estamos na Holanda... há um grande no meio Oceano Atlântico e nós só pode fazer chamadas de telefone. Desejo que poderia estar lá em pessoa! Mas obrigado por seus parabéns!
Abraços,
Mariette
Dearest Mariette,
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to your Dad. May God Bless him,
Thanks for sharing the beautiful memories.
Dearest Munir,
DeleteThank you for your blessing and for letting me share this with you.
Fond memories forever!
Hugs,
Mariette
I hope my father is around when he is 93, I think it is great that you still have your father and all the photos you have shared with us today are bloody great
ReplyDeleteDearest Jo-Anne,
DeleteEach human being hopes for longevity and it all depends in what condition one can age. Like my Dad, that is exceptional; he's still driving his own car and doing things on his own.
Thank you for the compliment about the photos; they are happy living memories of some moments in life...
Hugs,
Mariette
Dear Mariette,
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to your father :) That is some lovely photos you have there, fond memories I can imagine. Have a lovely Sunday!
Hugs,
Eva
Dearest Eva,
DeleteThank you dear, we today again talked to Dad and things seem to be fine. They can now enjoy some calmer routine for the new year.
Those photos are fond memories and they speak of happiness and that is forever sealed with those snapshots.
Hugs to you and wishing you a great new week ahead.
Mariette
Tantissimi auguri al tuo papà, un traguardo notevole e che chissà in quanti si augurano soprattutto se ci si arriva in buona salute. Un abbraccio fortissimo anche a te cara Mariette e nuovamente auguri di un buon 2014. Paola
ReplyDeleteCara Paola,
DeleteImmagino che ogni persona vorrà vivere che lungo, ma la condizione di salute dovrebbe essere abbastanza buona, altrimenti che c'è poca gioia. Ti ringrazio per i tuoi auguri dolce e augurandovi nuovamente un grande inizio di questo nuovo anno!
Baci,
Mariette
Van harte gefeliciteerd voor je vader, Mariette!
ReplyDeleteJammer inderdaad dat jullie er niet bij konden ziijn,
maar dat is je vader na al die jaren wel gewend, toch?!
Lieve groet,
Nicole
Beste Nicole,
DeleteDank je voor je felicitatie! Ja, gewend of niet, het is van beide zijden toch een gemis... Maar het is ook niet níks om eventjes op en neer te komen midden in de winter en ook nog in het piek seizoen wat vliegtarieven betreft, vanwege wintersportvakantie. Pas na 5 januari dalen die altijd.
We bellen altijd en dat deden we vandaag, de dag erna ook nog even.
Liefs,
Mariette
What a wonderful occasion to celebrate! Happy Birthday to your Dad, Mariette. Many happy returns.
ReplyDeleteDearest Zosia,
DeleteIt sure is a wonderful occasion for being alive and well to celebrate your 93rd birthday!
Thank you for your kind comment.
Hugs,
Mariette
Liebe Mariette,
ReplyDeleteauch hier nochmal: Herzlichen Glückwunsch für deinen Papa zum Geburtstag. Es ist so schön, sich so lange zu haben. Ich wünsche euch noch viele schöne Jahre.
Liebe Grüße, Johanna
Liebe Johanna,
DeleteDanke sehr für deine lieben Zeilen. Es ist wirklich ein Segen um ihm so lange zu haben.
Lieber Gruss,
Mariette
Dear Mariette,
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to your Papa and I enjoyed seeing your photos - wishing him good health and happiness for 2014.
It must be hard when the distance is so far for you but thank goodness for skype and emails to keep in touch.
Sending hugs
Carolyn
Dearest Carolyn,
DeleteThank you dear, loved sharing this with my virtual friends. We called Dad again today via our iPhone. At their age they are not into emails and Skype... Nobody else on the other side ever used a tablet or laptop for letting Mom or Dad see us in person.
Hugs to you,
Mariette
Happy birthday to your father! Lovely pictures of you and your father! And the pictures of his garden look very beautiful. No wonder bridal photos were made there!
ReplyDeleteIt's sometimes hard to be so far away from family. All my family live in Japan. They are very distant physically, but I think we are closer mentally. And it's so wonderful when we get to visit each other :-)
Thank you for sharing your lovely memories. Have a wonderful new week xoxo
Dearest Tamago,
DeleteThank you dear friend! Fond memories, also about his garden where many a bridal photo got taken indeed.
You too understand the feeling but for sure your Parents manage to make a video call and my Parents cannot and none of my siblings ever assisted them in doing so. At least they would be able to see their daughter.
But you are so right about being closer mentally and therefore each visit you cherish so much more.
Enjoy also a lovely new week and thanks for your comment; it means even more from someone that is in a similar position.
Hugs,
Mariette
Happy birthday to your Papa! 93 years sure is something to celebrate! God bless him! You certainly made a lot of visits home. It seems we, as the ones who moved so far away, are always the ones who have to do all the traveling and visiting or it just doesn't happen. We certainly are fortunate to be able to do so but it can be tiring. I would much rather explore the great big world than to return to the same place all the time. Best wishes, Tammy
ReplyDeleteDearest Tammy,
DeleteThank you and it is quite a number to celebrate!
We did make lots of trips home and you are so right about we, the ones that moved far away are always the ones that have to do all the traveling and visiting. At a certain age it is no more fun and very tiring and especially in winter time. How many chances we have left for a nice, sunny and relaxing vacation for ourselves?...
Hugs to you,
Mariette
So lovely that your Dear Papa has celebrated 93 years - a testament to good and honest living! It is difficult to be separated by so many miles, but you have many visits to remember of times you spent together. There never seems to be enough time spent with those we love, whether they live 4000 miles away or in the next town. Every moment spent is a blessing - we have to celebrate those special times. Happy Birthday to your sweet Father. Hugs xo Karen
ReplyDeleteDearest Karen,
DeleteIt shows once more that hard work pays off with longevity in the end. There are fond memories of special times together indeed. Wish that all people would realize how precious time spent together is. We at least have done what we could!
Hugs to you and thanks for your sweet wishes.
Mariette
Dearest Mariette,
ReplyDeleteThese are such fond and precious memories! Wishing your Dad all the best!!!
Hugs to you :)
Dearest Anna,
DeleteThank you and we did pass on to him the many international birthday wishes.
Hugs and love to you,
Mariette