Dubrovnik, Croatia

 Greetings from Dubrovnik! 

I’m posting from the road, in my desire to avoid being overwhelmed by the photos at the end of the trip. So, this will be brief…mostly a link to the photos I’m taking for those who want to follow along in real time. ;)

We departed Amsterdam on Sept. 4th for the two hour flight to Dubrovnik. By chance it was the 5th anniversary of the day Han and I first met, so it was perfect timing. I planned this trip months ago, in my desire to visit more of  Europe now that I’m based here. We thought our first big trip together would be to Greece but as we researched, we were drawn to Croatia. So the plan was born and looking forward to it all summer has been a big part of the fun.

Discovered a fun app that makes this easy to do. Love it!

Amazing what a difference a two hour flight can make! We’re going carless this trip so took a 30 minute taxi from the airport to Dubrovnik’s Old Town. We arrived at our airbnb and it was all that we’d hoped. The view was absolutely breathtaking.

Dubrovnik is a city on the Adriatic Sea encircled by massive stone walls built in the 16th century. The whole town is a Unesco World Heritage Spot. It is that special.

The scale of these city walls are remarkable and hard to capture in photos. The harbor and water surrounding it make it unbelievably picturesque.

We can sure see why this was chosen as the back drop for so many scenes in the Game of Thrones!

One of the things we love most about it are all the quaint alleyways everywhere you go. Usually with a cat or two hanging out on them. You can’t get lost here…you know wherever you are, you’re still within the walls of the city.

It was helpful to see the city from so many angles: 

in it, beside it, and above it.

We felt like we were a part of living history. 

The “Homeland War” (only 30 years ago!) was brought to life for us in such a heartbreaking way. As was the resilience of the people here and how they’ve recovered in such a relatively short time.

We could go on and on gushing about this area. A highlight was taking the water taxi 20 minutes to Lokrum Island. No cars allowed and peacocks on the roam everywhere. It was very idyllic.

Another highlight was the glorious patio of our Airbnb.

What a gift to be able to stay here.

When you find something you love, you really want to share it-and we wish everyone we know could come here! Until then, here is my album of photos. I wrote descriptions with each picture, but they are a little tricky to find on this site. But, they are there! ;)

To see the full album of photos, click here:

Croatia 2022

After leaving Dubrovnik, Han and I are island hopping for the next couple weeks and I’m striving to post here as I go. It’s so much more fun that way. And thanks to those of you reading this and taking time to share in our adventure. Sending our love to you from here. 🇭🇷

❤️

Mom's 79th Verjaardag

I'm way behind on my blog. It has been a full summer and I really want to share it here. And I will.

But, because today is such a sacred holiday to me....I need to take the time to shout to the world: 

Today is Mom's 79th birthday!

I don't need it to be her birthday to celebrate her. I celebrate her every day...with every beat of my heart. But, it is a day to stop and commemorate the fact that this remarkable woman was born (79 years ago!). And while my grief is great (there is so much to miss!) it is a good day to contemplate how lucky I am to have her for my mother.

I know she'd be so happy to know that all of her kids and grandkids gathered here in Holland just a few weeks ago. Each of us missing her so much, but carrying on-because we have no other choice-and because we so want to honor her as we move forward in life....creating new normals of connection and family love. Values she modeled to us and gifted us as long as we can remember.

 Happy 79th Birthday, Mom. 

We are celebrating you today with all our hearts.

Honoring Siem

I didn't think it was possible to put things together so fast, but Han's family did a beautiful job of it. In less than a week after Siem died, he has been honored, celebrated and laid to rest.

  On Thursday night, there was an opportunity for the community to come by and offer their condolences to the family. We arrived early and had the chance to add some special touches to his coffin. Markers were left out for others to add to it while they were here, too. 

What a meaningful touch!

His beloved bike (that he was just riding two weeks ago!) was brought in, as well.

The gathering was held in Limmen, the town he lived in his whole life. So there was an incredible line of people willing to wait for a very long time, in order to honor him, shake hands, give us their best wishes, and share in our grief.

At the end of the night (his nephew and sister were also in the receiving line with us).

On Friday, we gathered together, waiting for him to come by the house one last time. 

His grandson, Sjors, led the small procession to the church on his Opa's bike.

The Cornelius Church (built in 1901) is only a few blocks from their house

 and has been Siem's church all his life, making it extra special.

 We arrived to bells ringing in his honor.

I was honored to be part of the ceremony, helping to wheel the coffin in.

Siem loved country music and always had it playing in his car.

His very favorite artist was Johnny Cash,

so it was so touching to walk in as "I Walk the Line" was being played.

It was a beautiful ceremony, led by Pastor Mike

 and with Rieky, Gitte, & Han 

managing to share their loving thoughts with us all. 

Even though I couldn't understand all of it because of my beginner level Dutch,

 I was so very moved.

The whole service was recorded here for those who would like to see it.

To see the slideshow I created, click here.

(The first song was their wedding song and the rest were real favorites)

~~~~~~

After the church service, with bells ringing, everyone waved us off as we headed to the crematorium.

Such a poignant moment between best friends. 

From there we headed back to the Mill where family who had travelled far was waiting to greet us.

Just as he had done for my mom, Han asked everyone to tie a piece of fabric to this rope (measured out to represent his lifeline), with a wish or a prayer to create a garland...in honor of Siem, in what will now be our memorial garden.

What was meant to be a 60th anniversary gift has a different meaning...

...and yet the same: celebrating a true love story.

A celebration of a life well lived, 

of love...

and a truly great man.

~Siem Kuijper~

14 juli 1937-28 mei 2022

"Ons hele leven is een reis, en soms heb je de reis van je leven....."

("Our whole life is a journey, and sometimes you have the journey of your life...")