A FEW PICTURES OF THE SPECIAL DAY

 

 

BIRTHDAY GIRL!

 

 

 

 

A MOMENT WITH THE GRAND KIDS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHEERS MOM!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A FEW PICTURES AT THE BAR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MORE TO COME......

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RINA AND IRMA GIVE PAULA A BIRTHDAY WISH

Tante Paula is 80 jaar geworden!

   

Of is het

Van deze schatten heb je op afstand genoten.

   

 

  

 

 Zo zien ze er nu uit

 

 

Dit heb je in het begin vast wel eens gemist...

 

 

 

Én hunnie ook... 

 

 

 

Proficiat en veel liefs van:

ELLEN HAS A WORD OR TWO FOR HER MOM

Mom,

As I sit here wondering what to write for you, I find myself only going around in circles.  Do I make an emotional  letter, or put together a poem,  perhaps a story about how you’ve influenced me through the years??

The truth is that I have so many things to say and it’s hard to single out only one . I could go on forever about your strength of spirit, mind and  belief.  How you consistently strive to better everything and everyone around you.

Your compassion, you dedication – how you care for others, always considering  their needs and situations.  Your wonderful sense of humor, always finding  the bright side of life and bringing a smile to others.  Your “Joie de Vivre” – how you embrace each new experience with timeliness vigor and almost kid-like excitement.

You have such love, commitment and loyalty to your family and friends, and easily you impart your values into the hearts of others by living through example.

Maybe I could talk about your hunger for knowledge,  keeping up with the world as it changes, finding out about things you find out , showing you are never too old to learn something new.

What of your  life’s accomplishments,  so much done  - a full and happy life  best reflected through the love and respect of so many people and by the positive ways you have touched other people’s lives.

I look at you and understand that life is something to be taken on and participated in with full heart and soul – that during the journey, the more you give into it, the more you “live”.

So as I sit here and wonder what to write, I can’t help but smile and have a little laugh to myself, there’s no way I could capture it all .   So, I guess I’ll just say

Mom, in every way and on every day, I love and admire you – I see all that you have done and all that you are and am so very blessed to have you as my mother, mentor and friend.

Happy 80^th Birthday Mom  - What a Journey you’ve had !

You are quite simply one of the most amazing people I know.

I love you mom,

Ellen

SEAN SENDS YOU HIS THOUGHTS

Dear Oma,

 I don’t think I’ll be able to implicate how I feel in a precise text format.  For I don’t find that words could ever depict the genuine or deep emotion as much as a touch or a gaze can give.
 Something you’ve come to see too easily over the past year, especially in an individual as vital and significant to the family,  who is of equal to both your accomplishments as a mother and grandmother.  You know, as the years go by we all begin to realise the burden and cruelty time can put us through.
Yet, in the midst of the madness and chaos we find lightness and comfort in the events like today where we are unaffected by the hardships of what time and life give us without consent. In times like this we are bonded more than just a family. We are bonded by the unconditional love we possess for one another; always acting as a blanket for those who seem to forget that we are not alone, both physically and mentally. In these unparalleled times we enshroud ourselves in the warmth of our laughter and drink to a better tomorrow.
Let us toast to eighty years old and still kicking loud, strong and hard (Too hard for the car in fact.) Cheer loud enough for the family to hear who cannot be here today. Drink enough to see the stars in the day tomorrow and to a many more beautiful years to come.
Happy Birthday Oma.

Continue to stay strong and forget all your woes for the night. There is no dim future with all of us here together.

With all my love,

Sean

ELLEN HAS A FEW PICTURES OF YOU

JOHN SENDS HIS LOVE

   To the Birthday Girl,

   I am sorry that I can not be there to celebrate this very important mile stone.  But some one has to look after the mutt!  I wish you all the very best with your family and friends.  Hope you have a great celebration! I will make sure to check the blog for the incriminating pictures of you at your party...lol.
Happy Birthday!

Love,
 John

P.S. Thank you for having such a lovely daughter, she is as stubborn as you are!

SAKIA AND FAMILY SHARE A SMILE

A NOTE FROM SHAK

 

Within the little amount of time I've gotten to know you it’s been a pleasure and

I’d like to wish you all the best on your 80th birthday!

 

-Shak



GORD GIVES HIS BIRTHDAY WISH

 

 

Happy 80th Birthday!

 

Wishing you nothing but the best, May the up coming year

be filled with good times, good health and good

friends.

Hope you have a wonderful birthday, enjoy the party

with your family and friends!

 

-       Gord



JESSICA HAS A WORD TO SAY TO OMA

 

OMA

 

Throughout your life of 80 years

you have received many cheers,

and although you may have shed some tears,

you have managed to conquer your fears.

Life’s like a roller coaster, as I'm sure you know,

there’s ups and downs, some fast some slow,

We’ve all had moments where you feel you can touch the sky

and others where you think you might die.

I can’t imagine what you’ve been through

not quite World War One but World War Two,

yet you came out so brave and strong,

you can still dance and sing in song.

You fell for the love of your life

and soon became his beautiful wife

You had four beautiful children Carl, Ellen, Brenda and Bruce.

At certain times I'm sure you were ready to surrender

However with the loss of Bruce you formed a truce.

Whom which we will always remember.

Never the less you pulled through

Strong hearted and good willed too.

With all those kids came squabbles and fights

Some even happened late at night.

However you were still able to have fun

And along the way managed to raise three great little ones.

If it weren’t for you there’d be no me

and my mom would never be.

You taught her well throughout the years

Even if you held back tears.

I know that she has made you proud

especially now since her head’s out of the clouds.

Within your life you’ve witnessed so much

From black and white television to the iPod touch.

you witnessed man walking on the moon,

which at the time may have seemed too soon.

All sorts of things have come and gone,

but still your inner youth lives on.

You always knew just what to do

if i was hurt you’d kiss my booboo

You would play outside with me

which always filled me with glee

You and Opa got me my first bike,

Which at first i didn’t like

Then as you taught me to ride better,

I soon felt like a real go getter.

And when you tucked me in at night

you’d make sure i was wrapped up tight,

then you’d tell me a bedtime story

it was never anything gory.

I always felt safe at your place

knowing we were within the same space.

Thinking back on our times together you have always made me feel

better.

whether we were doing arts and crafts or playing cards together.

Through out my life of 23 years you have been there to wipe my tears,

and in those past years and days, you have helped chase my fears away,

when i was troubled, sad and down you’d always help me turn my

frown.

I know life can be quiet a ride,

and though i have not always been by your side,

i’ve been lucky enough to have you so close by.

Happy 80th Birthday Oma!

Love you lots

xox Jessica xox

ELLEN HAS A FEW MORE PICTURES FOR YOUR PLEASURE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CARL AND SHARON SHARE SOME NICE PICTURES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A SPECIAL BIRTHDAY WISH FROM CARL AND SHARON

Happy Birthday Mom !

I remember one special evening with you and Dad under the stars on a warm summer evening in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia somewhere around August 1968. We were lying on our backs on top of a new deck that Dad built using recycled redwood lumber gazing into the heavens. Everyone in the world was excited about putting a man on the moon for the first time. It made the whole world look to the skies with a different perspective.  I remember sharing a conversation with you about the unexplained and UFOs and maybe even seeing something darting in the dark evening sky that we still can’t explain today. What I really remember, though, is thinking……what would it be like to live in the future?  Really far into the future…….What would the world be like in the year 2000? Were we all going to live like the Jetsons and fly in personal jets to work? Move from one place in time and space to another in time machines? That we would finally discover the secrets of the Chariots of the Gods. That we would all have robots as butlers and computers to make meals? It all seemed so far and so many years away and so much science fiction bravado !

No,not really….. life just filled with the reality of so many wonderful memories and friendships. That is what happened. No science fiction, but reality. A life full of beautiful and bitter sweet memories, sadness, happiness, weddings, divorces, children growing up,  new friends, new neighbors, new surroundings but always the same loving and understanding Mom, just increasingly more experienced.

The world changed around us as we grew up and moved on and away from home. Yet, always Mom and Dad were there to call and be relied on, be our anchor and beacon, and keep us on track through all the changes around us. But…… what was really special was that you believed and supported our dreams. That you believed in the spirit behind us and the same spirit which would drive us forward in life. It was always your love and support that moved us and that we feel everyday….. no matter where we are.

When I reflect on the things I thought about when I was ten years old, I can’t help but wonder about what things you would have been thinking when you were ten years old, 70 years ago ! What would you have thought the world would be and where would you be when the clock turned 2013?

Sometimes taking a moment to reflect on the path you have taken in life, helps to put into perspective and appreciate the things you have learned and experienced along the journey to where you are. As I reflect on the years as your son I am so proud so have had your love and support in the dreams and journeys I have taken in my life that have shaped me as a reflection of you.

Happy birthday Mom. Thank you for making dreams come true and helping out when they don’t. Thank you for believing, even when we won’t. Thank you for your wisdom and faith and believing that there is more to this world than the reality of what we see. Thank you for changing the way I look at the sky.

 

Love  Carl & Sharon

MIKE BOYSEN GIVES HIS BIRTHDAY WISHES TO YOU

Happy birthday to my dear friend Paula,

I almost forgot  that you have your 80th Birthday Paula. All I can say “ waar blyft de tyd “

And I have been thinking of all the things we have done together with carl, Liesbeth and Fie and Tim.

I remember how we first met at the Dutch Club party,and we met there many times afterwards.

We came to your house many times and helped you with the eating of your bitter balls and play cards.

How we to the Adirondacks to the wedding of our colleague. That you and Carl came to our house and we had fun.

That you and Carl celebrated your 35th ? wedding celebration in the church in Waalwyk, we met your members of your family.

How we moved to Brockville and a bit later you moved to Cornwall.

All the parties we had in the Belgium Club.. And you know what? I remember it all quite vividly but the details have escaped me.

But I still love you.

With all my love

Mike (Boy) Boysen 

P S I remember the time we went to Quebec City and we were introduced to Queen Beatrix and Prince Claus

Also that you came to visit us in Driebergen where we we camped.