A MESSAGE FROM MARION AND FAMILY, IN ENGLISH AND DUTCH

Dear Aunt Paula (and Uncle Carl)

Very warm congratulations on your ^80th birthday! I hope you have a great day.

It is a great pity that we can not make it, but writing this, maybe a little souvenir.

I have some old photos found in the photo albums of mom and dad. And oh .... what is it nice to look in there.

And gee, what we are all old (er) become! Yes

When I think back to the times you came to the Netherlands, I always think of a lot of liveliness and celebration. What was always fun when you were both there.

And then you realize all the more that it is unfortunate that our family lives so far away from each other. A family bond is just always like that, a bond, whether you often see each other or not. How nice is that?

And yes, writing to each other, we are all not so good at. But, that does not mean that we do not sympathize with each other .....

I hope that you can endure these difficult times. Well, it's nice that you get older, but rather its beter when you are completely healthy! But, it is what it is ....

Lots of love and health desired, and a very memorable birthday! And I hope that we will be able to see each other soon.

Big Kisses,

Frank and Marion

Tim and Bas 

 

Lieve tante Paula (en oom Carl), 

Heel hartelijk gefeliciteerd met uw 80^e verjaardag! Ik hoop dat u een geweldige dag hebt.

Het is ontzettend jammer dat wij er niet bij kunnen zijn, maar met dit schrijven dan misschien toch een klein aandenken. 

Ik heb een aantal oude foto’s gevonden in de foto albums van papa en mama. En oh…. wat is het toch leuk om daar in te kijken.

En jemig, wat zijn we allemaal oud(er) geworden! Ja, ik ook al 

Als ik aan de keren terugdenk dat u naar Nederland bent gekomen, dan denk ik altijd aan een hoop gezellige drukte en feest. Wat was het altijd leuk als u beiden er waren.

En dan realiseer je des te meer dat het jammer is dat onze familie zo ver uit elkaar weg woont. Een familieband is er gewoon altijd, of je elkaar nu vaak ziet of niet. Hoe mooi is dat?? 

En ja, het schrijven naar elkaar, daar zijn we allemaal niet zo goed in. Maar, dat wil niet zeggen dat we niet met elkaar meeleven…..

Ik hoop dat u ook deze lastige tijd een beetje goed kunt doorstaan. Tja, het is fijn dat je ouder wordt, maar liever gewoon helemaal gezond! Maar, het is zoals het is…. 

Heel veel liefde en gezondheid gewenst, en een ontzettend gedenkwaardige verjaardag! En ik hoop dat wij elkaar nog een keer zullen kunnen zien. 

Dikke kussen,

Frank en Marion

Tim en Bas

MARION AND FRANK SEND A FEW PHOTOS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JASNA AND JAN, A MESSAGE TO PAULA

I grew up with a mystery family in far away Canada.

The times we met, were far and between.

That made that I fantasised about this wonderful family in this far away country.

When I was old enough to remember who ye all were, I was jealous that I couldn't live with you.

As teenagers do (well, this one anyway) I sometimes dreamed of living with another family ('the grass is always greener on the other side')

In my head I picked ye as my second family:

 because I would have loved to have had a couple of lovely sisters (you always want what you don't have)

because you lived far away (see, even then I dreamed of travelling)

and last but not least: because you all had the nicest mam (after my own of course) 

Those are childhood memories.  

The memories I have now, is that this family is made of very strong woman. I don't have to tell the stories of what everybody went through, we all know more or less, and look how we all dealt with it.  

Tante Paula, you are a very good example of a strong woman. You stand strong for anything that life trows at you. I admire you for this, and salute your bravery.  

This is a good time to put the spotlight on you, and celebrate your life and future.

As I can't be there myself, I've 'sent' the best representative I could think of: my mam! I'm sure she will give you a big hug for me.  

Jan and I want to wish you a very happy birthday, and hope that you have a wonderful day with all your friends an family around you.

All the best, and (hopefully): see you sometime?

Lots of love, and a big hug. 

Jasna and Jan.

 

WINNIE SAYS HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO HER BIG SIS!

Paula,

Winnie here adding my birthday congratulations to Auntie Paula - I remember you and still do as an older sister to me as I never had one and needed someone to talk to at times.
Auntie  helped me with a lot of information in my turning to womanhood - in those days my mum didn't let me in on the big secret of changing - I guess she felt embarrassed so Paula helped me out and I thoroughly enjoyed your friendship and ties to our family.  Both you and Carl were wonderful to our family. 

Happy Birthday and God bless big Sis

Love ya

Winnie

RUDI AND JOANNE SEND THEIR MESSAGE TO YOU

Wow 80 years young!!!

I have known you all my life.....both you and Uncle Carl have been a big part of the Kiernander family since the late 1950's....and Uncle Carl being my godfather.

I sure wish Joanne and I could be there for your birthday celebration.

Seeing the family back on your 50th wedding anniversary was a real joy for us all and a time we will treasure forever.

We have all grown up with your family going back to NDG in Montreal.

Joanne and I would like to wish you all the very best, good health and  Happy Birthday!!!

Please say hi to Uncle Carl for us.....Hugs & Kisses to you both and the Kids.

Love always,

Rudi & Joanne

xo

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHRIS HAS A HEARTFELT LETTER FOR YOU

Hi Paula,

This is from your "brother" Chris. Jeez, what to tell you, so many years we have spent together and yet so many years apart. I remember the many, many nights at your place, sharing a borreltje downstairs in your house in Beaconsfield, shooting the breeze. The family ups and downs, yours and mine. Jumping in an airplane dragging back one of your adventuresome daughters from Western Canada. My own heartaches with my own daughter, Jennifer, and you convincing her mother to let me see her again, the pains and joys of being a family. And here we are thousands of miles apart and yet so close. Grandparents, me having married again, silly old coot that I am, and thinking of you and your family.

It somehow seems like another life that we lived so long ago. I do remember visiting you and Carl in Cornwall and Carl still renovating the place and do you remember visiting my old place in Ste Marguerite? Well, we can think about all the aches and pains of being older now but there is one thing that we are so incredibly lucky about and that is having our kids. Having experienced your family life with you, with its ups and downs, always made me want to have my own family.

 Yes, our children have given us our worries and sometimes our sorrows, but I look at my kids and realize how lucky I am of having them and I know that you must do the same. If there is one thing that your kids do well, that is organizing a party in honor of their parents that is when they come together. Particularly Brenda. I remember the first time that I saw her doing that, Jeez that used to be this little girl and look how businesslike she has become, poems here, speeches there, everything organized. Amazing how serious your kids get when it gets to organizing something special for their parents. Not a kid anymore, she is still good at that and you can be so proud of her, so lucky you are!

Anyway, Paula, and Carl of course, have a great birthday. You will always have a special place of love in my heart and I wish you all the happiness in the world on this very special day for you.

Love you always.

Chris

TIM AND FIE SEND THEIR BEST

 

PAULA,

    We send to you all our best wishes for a wonderful birthday. We are not so good at writing poetry and such, but did not want to miss out on sending you our love, and heartfelt wishes for a great celebration on this your 80^th birthday.

Have a great time, we will celebrate this occasion with a toast to you, your health and to your happiness.

Love,

Tim and Fie