Mother’s Day

Yesterday was Mother’s Day, in the US, in Belgium and in the Netherlands. Sometimes the days differ in the different countries. The flower shops will of course have all been quite happy. I must admit, I am always thankful for how easy it is to get flowers in our area. I love getting Shirley flowers, but even more so on this day. 

Yesterday both of our boys made a video call to wish their mom a wonderful day. We also got to see our daughter-in-love Jill (Sean’s wife) and our granddaughter (Stephan’s daughter). It is at moments like those that we are so very thankful for the blessings of being parents. And I am especially thankful for Shirley being their mother. 

It isn’t just about that she was willing to bear them and bring them into the world. That was challenge enough, for sure. I still remember the Lamaze classes we took together preparing for Stephan’s arrival. He didn’t seem to want to leave and in the end they had to remove him with forceps. Shirley had gotten so tired after quite a long labor that she couldn’t push any more. 

When it came time for Sean, four years later, we lived in a completely different country and Shirley knew that she would have to give birth in a different language. She went through some false labor (where we went to the hospital, they kept her a while and then sent her home) and then the day came. It was following a pretty intense couple of weeks of Bible camp where she had stood in the kitchen cooking and also caring for Stephan. 

Sean was different because she birthed in a sort of chair instead of on a bed. She also was almost required to stay 5 days in the hospital. IN the US where Stephan was born, she was sent home pretty much the next day. Of course in Belgium she asked to go home early because she wasn’t getting the rest they were hoping she would - there being 4 other mothers and babies in the room. 

But after the births came all the years of caring, feeding, teaching, learning from, and being amazed at these boys in our lives. Shirley has always been a serious, clear, caring mother and I am so thankful for her love for our boys and our family. It reminds me of all that my own mom must have gone through with me, all of the effort and care and love she poured into me. So I am glad that technology exists and I can call my mom as well. 

For all of you mothers - thank you for your love for your husbands, your children and for the Lord who has taught us what love us and given us this possibility. 

On the family side - in Indianapolis

Last Monday we were flying. Shirley is just recently returned from a short but intense visit to her sick sister, but now it is time to travel for a much happier reason. We finally get to meet our granddaughter, Sophia. We are looking forward to being able to get to know her a little bit in the 2 weeks we will be there. 

Sophia Ruby was born June 29, 2023, just after we had visited. We were in Indianapolis in the middle of May and Sophia arrived at the end of June. We have been thankful for every single photograph we receive. And every once in a while, especially as she is getting older, she is awake when we video-call our son. Since there is a 6 hour difference, we call at their lunchtime. 

The month before we traveled we were able to wave and say hello again via the computer. She was a happy little baby and was clearly learning how to wave, flapping with her fingers as we cooed and laughed through the computer screen. Now we are able to wave and coo and hold her tight. We are enjoying hearing her, seeing her and laughing with her. And of course sharing all these moments with Stephan and Natalie. 

It was exciting recently to be able to congratulate both of them on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. We remember how much our children changed our lives, with all of the challenges and excitements. It still amazes me that God has so designed us that he trusts us for a time with children, teaching us the love of a parent so that we understand Him as well. 

We have also already had an opportunity to see Scott’s brother, Mike and his family. It is good to see the nephews again who are all growing tall and have become young men. On the other side we have also spent time with Natalie’s parents and her sister and brother-in-law. We are able to move around the city and have been blessed with a place to stay thanks to church family who are also so willing to help in so many ways. 

We will be in Indianapolis until July 4 (what a day to fly back to Europe) and are looking forward to all of the time we will be able to share. Sean and Jill are also flying over from New York, so we will all be together on Sophia’s birthday. Not that she will remember any of that. Hopefully, she will simply stick her face in a cake and laugh. But we will enjoy being all together - with this new addition. 

We are so very thankful for the chance to make this trip and for all who have helped to make it possible. 

(This picture is from the last time we were all together in 2018)

Whensday: Ice Saints

When can you start planting your flowers and plants? Well, the wise advice here talks about waiting until after the “ijsheiligen” - the ice saints. These are special religious holidays named for certain saints, but ending with May 15. An easier way to remember it is to think that planting should wait until after Mother’s Day. 

Mother’s Day in Belgium used to refer to Mary, the mother of Jesus. But the celebration of motherhood that other countries recognize soon took over, as did the commercialization of the day. The day itself is often just a little different. In The Netherlands, Belgium or the US, the day can vary by a week. 

Still, if you are going to get mother a plant, she may have to wait just a bit before putting it outside. That is because it technically could still freeze outside, killing the poor plant. So everyone is taught to wait patiently. Just as every good mother tries to teach their children the same thing. 

This year, we did not get any freezing weather near May 15. And Mother’s Day was celebrated on Sunday, May 12. Shirley got flowers sent from Sean and calls from both of the boys (yes, they are still our “boys” and always will be). I called my mom as she is getting ready to make a major move across the country in the coming month, starting a new season of her life. 

In the meantime, we will consider which plants to plant. We are leaving in June for several weeks to visit our grandchild, so we cannot really plant a bunch of flowers we will not be able to care for. It is hard enough to keep up on mowing the grass in between the rain showers. So we will be patient and see what we can do in the summer.