Lament
They were a cute elderly couple with Dutch accents, my Oma had a series of falls and surgeries, but it never dampened her spirit's or Opa's. I remember how she'd bake a whole series of cakes, meringue cookies and boeterkoek, and how she'd struggle with a huge turkey dinner for a very large family. She suffered from osteoarthritis, but the only complaint I'd hear, was her saying in her Dutch voice, "I'm shrrinking, I'm shrrinking!"
She'd give you these huge hugs before you left, with one arm draped over your neck so she could get a good hold, of course you'd have a slightly hurt neck later, but you felt better for it. When she was in the hospital in London (my city) I'd come visit her almost every day and help her with her dinner. She seemed so happy, even though she was in so much pain. They had finally moved into a small apartment in December and were doing well.
My Opa was a big tease, I remember he and one of my Uncles tricking me to thinking there were flies instead of raisins in Oma's cookies. There was a huge black tar mark next to the back door of their house, and he told me he squashed a HUUUGE spider there. When I was a toddler, I was playing under the table, Opa was in mid-sentence when he suddenly cried out - I had bit his big toe! He never let me live it down, always joking about it. Maia almost did the same one visit, and I was hoping she'd get another chance in the future!
Last time Oma was in the hospital, Opa didn't do too well, he'd visit her every day, but live off of tv dinners, he was miserable. I knew he couldn't last long without her. I was so happy when she finally was well enough to come back to him.
On Mother's Day, I was disappointed with myself that I hadn't visited my Oma..but I thought, I'd be able to see her later on. I'm happy a large portion of the family had celebrated with them.
When I heard they were in a terrible car crash yesterday evening, it didn't seem real. I thought I'd see them at the hospital, perhaps, but something deep down was troubling. I have never lost anyone so close, and to lose two people I care so much about at the same time and in this horrible way is just heartbreaking.
I know both of you loved each other more than life itself, and there is comfort that you both passed together. I love you both and I am sorry I didn't visit more often. Cornelia and Cornelius, you both are beautiful people, you brought so much love and life into this world. I hope to see you again someday.
She'd give you these huge hugs before you left, with one arm draped over your neck so she could get a good hold, of course you'd have a slightly hurt neck later, but you felt better for it. When she was in the hospital in London (my city) I'd come visit her almost every day and help her with her dinner. She seemed so happy, even though she was in so much pain. They had finally moved into a small apartment in December and were doing well.
My Opa was a big tease, I remember he and one of my Uncles tricking me to thinking there were flies instead of raisins in Oma's cookies. There was a huge black tar mark next to the back door of their house, and he told me he squashed a HUUUGE spider there. When I was a toddler, I was playing under the table, Opa was in mid-sentence when he suddenly cried out - I had bit his big toe! He never let me live it down, always joking about it. Maia almost did the same one visit, and I was hoping she'd get another chance in the future!
Last time Oma was in the hospital, Opa didn't do too well, he'd visit her every day, but live off of tv dinners, he was miserable. I knew he couldn't last long without her. I was so happy when she finally was well enough to come back to him.
On Mother's Day, I was disappointed with myself that I hadn't visited my Oma..but I thought, I'd be able to see her later on. I'm happy a large portion of the family had celebrated with them.
When I heard they were in a terrible car crash yesterday evening, it didn't seem real. I thought I'd see them at the hospital, perhaps, but something deep down was troubling. I have never lost anyone so close, and to lose two people I care so much about at the same time and in this horrible way is just heartbreaking.
I know both of you loved each other more than life itself, and there is comfort that you both passed together. I love you both and I am sorry I didn't visit more often. Cornelia and Cornelius, you both are beautiful people, you brought so much love and life into this world. I hope to see you again someday.