Dad Sang Solo on Mom & Dad's 50th Wedding Anniversary

 On Saturday, February 26, 1949 Mom & Dad got married by Dad's Maternal Uncle; Heeroom

Back then, they were not allowed to get married during Lent. Ash Wednesday was on March 2nd; Easter on April 17.

Mom & Dad after Church back at her Parents' place where they celebrated.

Posing against a straw mat here. Still remember the many uses of those mats, back in the 1950s.

Mom's black georgette dress in a size 6, or 36 European.

She was very slim back then and also taller.

Got this photo via FB from my First Cousin Maria Van Hoek-Gielen (her Mom was my Mom's sister).

Professional photos made earlier at a studio

Photo from Heeroom, on his second departure to Timor, Indonesia on April 21, 1949, less than two months after he blessed Mom & Dad's matrimony.

He was one of my most favorite people and I've written him several letters over the years.

On the day of our arrival, our final visit to Dad in The Netherlands, we talked a lot about Heeroom.

With quite some research, I've found lots of information about him.

He died because of acute kidney problems, while at a conference in Manilla, Philippines and got buried there. Will write more about Heeroom later!

Dad was taking his nap, but he jumped up to show us the photos from Heeroom's solemn requiem Mass and burial. 

Dad greatly admired Heeroom, he was very proud of him and talked fondly about him.

Sad, that my siblings did not give Dad his appropriate requiem Mass, just as Dad organized for Mom, where his fellow choir members could have sung... 

Dad, who got his Royal Certificates for being a Choir Member for exactly 81 years to the date of his death. He got a Certificate for 70 and 80 years; unique in The Netherlands!

Half a Century later...

Ready for Church... Mother and 2nd born daughter (me).

Wearing my Escada suit that I found at the Chattanooga, Tennessee Escada Outlet.

St. Lambertus, the Catholic Church in Horst, The Netherlands

Above in this photo you view some 14th and 15th Century art work, rescued from the bombed Church.

Taken on Mom & Dad's 50th Wedding Anniversary Mass.

As per Mom & Dad's request—I was the lay reader for their solemn 50th Anniversary Mass.

The Horster Mannenkoor sang, visible to the right.

That was the section where in my schooldays, the children were seated!

Walking back to the pew, to join Pieter and my siblings.

Dad's First Cousin made a video during Mass, brother Martin Van den Munckhof made the photos.

Sadly, their 55th, 60th and 65th Wedding Anniversary has not been celebrated with a Mass.

My sister Diny talked Mom & Dad out of that... only to rectify her own actions we think.

~

Husband Pieter did make a video during reception in the restaurant.

We first had coffee with pie, then dinner and afterwards the reception started.

Coffee and pie is being served during reception as well as alcoholic beverages and others.

This was the A.M.C. choir from the neighborhood. Dad's big choir had already given a serenade before these came to sing.Toon Smits of the A.M.C. choir (Afhang – Middelijk) gently announces that they want to sing 'Wetscherni Swon', 'Evening Bells' as a closing for them at the reception of Mom & Dad's 50th wedding anniversary.Dad says, I happen to have that song in 'my pocket'... and he takes a folded piece of paper out of his pocket and sings his 'favorite solo'...Evening bells (dong, dong)Evening bells (dong, dong)How many thoughts (dong, dong)They arouse! (dong, dong)O youthful days (dong, dong)Where I was born and bred (dong, dong)Where I first loved (dong, dong)Where Father's house stands (dong, dong)And now how I, (dong, dong)On forever parting (dong, dong)Have heard the bells (dong, dong)For my last time (dong, dong).~Those Russians knew something about melancholic sounding songs... This is a very old one from 1828.Dad sang several Slavic songs, they all were his favorites!
Related posts:My Angel Sister who Died TWICE Classic Escada Skirt Suit with Silk Gucci Scarf{There You Go Again... Update}
AMC op 50 jarig huwelijk Papa & Moeke Van den Munckhof—video by Pieter J.C. Vedder | longer video