” The world’s a stage and all the men and women are merely players.”
Shakespeare.
It is strange to see in these times of pandemia: organizers start to organize, some people ignore, others freak out, writers start to write. Everybody plays his or her role.
For us, it is strangely familiar to be home together since the schools were closed on Monday this week. Outside, the dangerous and scary cloud of unpredictable sickness, and on the other side, the warmth of plain family life. The first day, we are a bit disoriented, looking around us and letting everything happen. We read a bit, draw, write, do math, cook, walk and play—a lot of play. Biology and walking in nature seem to be necessities for us.
We all adjusted. An overload of information is coming upon us—and now I am even adding a little) But, this is light—no hidden agenda. It is just a little note from our household to yours. We have only one message: Take care of yourself and your loved ones. Stay healthy, eat vitamins and minerals. And enjoy this unexpected treasure—the beauty and goodness that come alongside the fear and anxiety. Be patient with yourself and others around you. After all, we are suddenly thrust into the role of pioneers, whether we think it is appropriate or not.
Here is a little photo impression of our Biology class—no, it wasn’t actually that. We just got Judith from her internship, and because she had been inside the whole day, (taking care of the elderly) she needed some fresh air. We all happily joined her and added some math, history of the landscape, sport, and reflection time in this hour as well.
“I go to this place, when my heart is lonely…. laa la la laa”
No school—no problem! Laurens throwing branches into the water, what else would a boy do?
The water is high this time of year. Snow in Austria and Germany is melting, and all that water passes through our country into the sea. See the dike protecting the village, school and church. This is Randwijk, the village of our sending church. If I have a home feeling in the Netherlands, it is here…
While walking in this lovely place, surrounded by water, I have decided to write a bit more in the coming weeks. We do know when and where this pandemic started, but we do not know where it will end. So it is with this blog. I’ll give you a little peek into our lives, not knowing how everything will develop.
Our dear Canadian friends taught us: One day at the time.
It is a wise saying at any time, but it is especially so now. Stay safe, and take care!
Warm greetings from all of us, Jelle, Janneke, Marijke, Judith, Femke and Laurens.
In the midst of anxiety around us, what was a small but beautiful moment for you today? Please, do respond, I love to get encouraged by it as well.
Janneke, love your photography and your soothing words. Praying you and your family are safe and well.
Thank you, good to hear from you and see the lovely photos. We are only just trying to adjust to a new normal. So strange now that all churches are closed, cannot imagine a Sunday without church. Actually I have been too busy with church things for the last four years so am hoping to catch up a bit on some of the things I had thought I would do when I retired. Sad our Spring Harvest holiday had to be cancelled but with 5,000 people usually there it was no surprise. We do not have underlying health issues so just have to keep at a distance from others, Social distancing is the category we come into, although our children don’t agree because of our ages and think we should be in voluntary isolation. Do hope you all keep well and I am sure your time of home schooling in Croatia will be of good use to you. Blessings on you all, Sylvia.
Great photos and great comments Janneke, how the family has grown up! I find that my time living in a village in Africa has changed me too in adapting to this, being more flexible and not depending on things that seem to others to be certainties. Bless you all!
Great Peter, We do hope that you stay healthy and safe. Must be crazy to work from home so much these days. Warm greetings.