Saturday 1 December 2012

Weekend Reflections on my mum.

My parents when they were engaged in 1925
My mum and me in Indonesia in 1935
My mum and my second child, who lives in Australia now.1970

My mum in 1993 with her great grandson son of my eldest child.1993


I dedicate this post to my mum, whose birthday it was today. She would have been 106 today.

She was always caring for us and worrying about her three children. She was there in the concentration camp in Indonesia in WW II. She saw how thin and hungry we were. She herself was in a very bad condition, and yet she kept us alive and made clothes of old towels for us. I can tell you that she never complained about our bad living conditions and about the loss of all our possessions.Before the war we had a beautiful house where we lived in great luxury. Even our birthdays in the camp were not forgotten. We lost the rest of our "possessions" when we had to escape the people in Java who wanted to put us again in the camps we had just left. Thanks to the British we were rescued in time and taken to Singapore in November 1945. The British fed us and gave us the necessary things we needed. That's why I have always been  an Anglophile! ;) During the war she didn't know what had happened to my dad. In January 1946 we saw him back after four years, which he spent at sea sailing from England to The States and to Australia and back again. My mum died in May 2000.

  Weekend Reflections was started on 27 September 2009, by  James. You can join this meme at some time during the weekend. Just post your photo and go to  James to tell him that you are on, or click on the logo in the sidebar.This meme is created for any type of reflection.

14 comments:

Nonnie said...

heartfelt am I on reading about your mum! what a strong lady to survive along with her children through such dire circumstances

Dina said...

Birthday blessings to your mother in heaven, Wil.

Sylvia K said...

Such a moving story about your incredible Mother, Wil!! Thank you for sharing and yes, Birthday Blessings to her in heaven! Those of us here in the states for the most part have no real understanding of what it must have been like for you, your family and all the others that spent time in prison camps!!

Cloudia said...

Thank You SO much for the privilege of knowing your amazing mother, as well as more about our dear friend Wil.



Aloha Blessings to you
from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral

~ > < } } ( ° >

> < 3 3 3 ( ' >

genie said...

I am finally back to blogging again. Between the Lightroom course, work at school, my back acting up, and a long trip up and back at Thanksgiving to see my daughter in Maryland, I was a basket case. Had to just close the computer and walk away for a bit. Now I am back to normal, finally. I feel awful I have not written you your story, but I have been thinking about it. The story you told today about your mother brought me to tears. Those of us who never had experiences cannot even begin to imagine what you all went through. That goodness she persevered and you are with us today. I loved the pictures. They are beautiful. genie

Arkansas Patti said...

Thank you for sharing a bit of your wonderful mother with us on her birthday. What a strong, caring woman she was. I love the picture of the two of you during happier times.
My father would have been 102 this year. Our parents live forever in our hearts and memories.

My name is Riet said...

Wat een prachtig eerbetoon aan je moeder Will. Wat een moedige vrouw .

Ps ik woon inderdaad vlak bij je WIll inCapelle.

HansHB said...

Nice post, interesting reading!

Leovi said...

Gorgeous family photos, beauty and happiness.
Greetings.

Kay said...

No wonder you are such a strong person yourself Wil. You are descended from strong, resourceful parents.

Roger Owen Green said...

you always remember mom; I sure do

'Tsuki said...

Very nice focus on the evolution of maternity... Your mother must have be a great person and her story is quite incredible. Nice hommage.

Vicki Lane said...

Your mum was admirable and how lucky that you all survived.

Unknown said...

Thank you for sharing these precious photos and the memories and story of your mother and family. What an amazing woman!