Silence on a Sea That Once Was
It went like this: A friend asked on Facebook, “Hey, who will watch my animals while I am on a journey?” I knew that she lives on a beautiful farm in the Netherlands, so I responded jokingly, “Shall I come to take care of your animals?” She said, “If you come, I will pay for…
Still Life
This month, I am hosting different days of silence in the Netherlands. I feel very honoured to be able to host a day in which I combine silence and writing. When I sent out the invitations last October, somebody from Scotland (thank you, Roelien!) responded and sent this article. I found it so insightful that…
What to do when you face loneliness?
It is Christmas break. The snow is slowly falling down, and I should be happy. I see people on the street visiting their loved ones. People visiting others. They all seem to belong somewhere. My dad is turning 70 years old this very day, and although I am very thankful for that, I realize that…
Wedding
The wedding of Sasha and Ellie. What a party! What preparations! What a feast! What excitement! Every detail was in place. Sasha is the son of our friends Biljana and Đeno Nikolić. They played a major role in the decision for us to come and live here in Osijek. A few years ago, Sasha went…
Heights (and depths) of 2018
19-12-2018 19-12 1999: first kiss;-) 19-12 2000:engaged 19-6 2001:married Highligth of this day;-) At the end of this year, I gladly share some heights and depths of 2018.(2016 , 2017) Visits from and to friends and family Jelle went with Femke to the Netherlands in March to celebrate the 70th birthday of his father. My…
The agony -and beauty- of language learning
Ajmo lepotica (Serbian) Ajmo ljepotica (Croatian) Let’s go, beautiful (English) I bought my vegetables at the market, and the woman greeted me friendly with: Ajmo ljepotice, vidimo se! Language learning is a real challenge, not only because of the differences between Serbian or Croatian words, which definitely adds to the complexity of learning, but because…
The Arrival of Winter and the Shaping of Community
Today a guest post by our co-worker Helen. She gives an impression of our work in the village. I gladly share: Winter arrived quite suddenly here in Croatia, with an immediate drop in temperatures and a permanent cold mistiness to the air. We’ve been enjoying a long, warm Autumn, but in the turnover of…
Pepper seeds in the pocket of a refugee
“Hey!” I exclaimed when I saw peppers in full bloom in the garden in the middle of Germany in the summer. “Usually, you see peppers more to the south than here.” “That’s right,” answered the mother of the house. “But, we also actually come from a bit more to the south.” And so, this story…
The War I Did Not Know About
“Yes!” shouted Femke. She had just discovered that 83% of the Dutch children who watch this program on the national television (jeugdjournaal) voted that they did not learn enough about the First World War. This Great War, which ended 100 years ago this week, passed our tiny country and we were not involved. But, it…
I love you, Grandma!
Laurens had been homesick. The change to his new school was a big one. And, for a few weeks, he cried every night that he wanted to see grandma and grandpa and play in the garden. Now, thanks to my parents—I told them this, and they said, “It is time for a good hug!” So,…