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Here I would love to share with you our travels and adventures as international mushroom consultants. MEMOIRS about husband Pieter Vedder, who was a SCIENTIFIC PIONEER in Mushroom Cultivation Education. His practical handbook is in 9 languages and is called the MUSHROOM BIBLE: https://mariettesbacktobasics.blogspot.com/2020/08/modern-mushroom-growing-2020-harvesting.html

Thursday, March 9, 2023

POEM Gift from BEST Friend Ellie

 In June when I came back from my final trip to Limburg...
This was a very special gift that I carried home in my suitcase.
From BEST Friend Ellie, yes we're friends for 58 year already!
HOW did she have the ESP (Extrasensory Perception) for selecting this? 
It hangs in our bathroom and after my horrible accident while biking, I read it again and could not believe the Dutch words:

Lieve vriendin
Als je me nodig hebt,
Dan roep je me maar.
Als je verdriet hebt, 
Sta ik altijd voor je klaar.
Als je pijn hebt,
Zal ik je troosten.
Als je geen zin hebt,
Zal ik je overhalen.
Samen lachen, samen pijn,
Ik zal er altijd voor je zijn.

English:

Dear friend
If you need me,
Then you call me.
If you are grieving, 
I'm always there for you.
If you are in pain,
I will comfort you.
If you don't feel like it,
I'll persuade you.
Laughing together, hurting together,
I will always be there for you.

Ellie over the decades has been a beacon and will always remain so—for as long as we live.
Too bad we live some 8,000 km away from each other...

Related link:

46 comments:

  1. What a beautiful poem from your best friend. It must look wonderful hanging in your bathroom, and I'm glad it brings comfort to you during this most difficult time. Old friends are, indeed, special, and I will see my best friends in April. Looking forward to it, as we went to high school together, and we've been friends for 48 years. Thank you for sharing this treasured gift, dear Mariette.

    ~Sheri

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Sheri,
      Yes it was a touching gift when I received and each time now that I make my way to the bathroom I'm facing it. Very meaningful!
      Such old friendships run deep and are very special.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  2. Close friends and relatives can have a special empathy, and it seems your friend Ellie had the ESP. How wonderful to be so close in friendship. I sometimes dream events which later happen, although I had no prior knowledge of them. Can't explain that one!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Patricia,
      Yes, best friend Ellie, certainly had the ESP.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  3. What a wonderful prayer.

    Praying for you both. God bless.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Victor,
      Yes, you certainly can call it a prayer—a beautiful gift of love.
      Thanks for your prayer.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  4. That's so beautiful, Mariette. As is the gift of friendship for so many years.

    I hope you continue to feel at least a bit better every day, are healing well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Kim,
      Yes,it is very beautiful and so meaningful.
      Did feel a bit better but last night my left leg hurt more—like one step backward.
      It pours, bad weather and Pieter is now with our youngest kitty, Speckie girl off to the vet.
      She's hiding under the armoire and is not eating...
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  5. Ja zeg dat wel ,ver weg maar in onze harte zijn wij dicht bij elkaar .knuffel.💞🍀👩‍❤️‍👩🐞🍀💞😘

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Beste Ellie,
      Afstand doet er bij ware liefde en vriendschappen niet toe!
      Bedankt voor alles—je bent echt een baken!
      Liefs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  6. A wonderful gift and especially its words.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Anne,
      Yes it sure is and those words are now balm for the soul.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  7. Hello Mariette, Today's world has many advantages and opportunities. However, many of them require extensive travel and relocation, so we are separated from close friends and family. --Jim

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Jim,
      Yes, as you also personally deal with for years!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  8. Bellissima dedica della tua amica Ellie!Buona serata.

    ReplyDelete
  9. That poem is the perfect tribute to a heartfelt friendship, Mariette. You are so blessed to have a best friend like her.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Such a beautiful poem from Ellie.
    I'm glad it brings you comfort during this trying time.
    Healing thoughts and good wishes are being sent your way, dearest Mariette.

    Hugs and blessings.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Veronica,
      Thank you and yes, at this time it is even more meaningful...
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  11. Dag Mariette,

    Een oprecht en mooi gedicht.
    Er voor elkaar zijn, hoe mooi.

    Liefs,
    Hilly

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Beste Hilly,
      Ja, een erg mooi gedicht en ook voelbaar zo.
      Liefs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  12. As someone once said: "To be together, the important thing is not to be close, but on the inside"
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  13. Now that is a good friendship you have there lasting so long and such a nice gift

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Jo-Anne,
      Absolutely a very rare friendship!
      The gift is double meaningful.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  14. That is such a nice poem and especially since it came from a best friend which makes it even more special. That is a long friendship you have together. The miles don't count as long as you still connect and can communicate with todays technology. Isn't that great? I sure hope you are healing well and completely.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Debby,
      It sure is a very special friendship that is so deeply rooted.
      Modern technology is bridging the miles.
      Slowly I will heal.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  15. What a dear and beautiful, just perfect friend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Katie Isabella,
      Ellie is a treasure and beautiful inside and out!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  16. Great treasures, our longtime friends. Why do they all seem so far away now though?
    Hope you are improving dear and have less pain and difficulty.
    Be well, know you are in our thoughts and prayers daily.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Mary,
      Yes, that is a wonderful treasure and Ellie will remain close till our last breath.
      Thought I'd improved some but guess I did too much yesterday and got a throw back.
      Did rest all day so far and hope to be in less pain tonight.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  17. Ahora mucho reposo y mucha tranquilidad y a reponer fuerzas.
    Besos.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Querida Atnónia,
      Eso es muy difícil con un marido 93+ ...
      Abrazos,
      Mariette

      Delete
  18. Replies
    1. Dearest Pam,
      Especially now after the accident.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  19. Hi, Mariette!
    That poem is so beautiful and I'm sure she meant every word. Friendships like that and that last for so long, are very hard to find these days.
    Who knows if Ellie can visit you and Pieter more often in the future? Praying so!
    Have a blessed week and I hope you are feeling much better.
    Hugs to you, Pieter, the kitties and Kwekkie!
    :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Paula,
      Oh yes, she surely means every word and our Friendship is very special and will last forever.
      The pain is less and I have been reading this afternoon—a good way to relax.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
    2. I'm sure she does and I know that also heals your body and soul! :)
      I also love to read. It's such a wonderful way to relax and let the hours fly by, isn't it?
      Lots of hugs to you and your sweet Pieter!
      :)

      Delete
  20. So beautiful.
    www.rsrue.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. fantastic sharing´
    http://retromaggie.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Magda,
      It is more than just sharing—it speaks about a TRUE Friendship.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete

Thanks for your visit and comment.

Mariette...

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MARIETTE'S BACK TO BASICS © 2009. All rights reserved - Text and images may not be copied for distribution or sale.

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