Mother
(translation of the Dutch version)
I've been so lucky, to have known you for 44 years
but without you, no, I will never get used to it
together with our Father you have been 57 years long
sharing love and sorrow with each other
the concerns you had about your offspring
was a big comfort, on every moment
you didn't like to see your children leaving their home
because once married, they were on their own
you were always cheerful, always happy, always well-disposed
because of that, you were loved by lots of people
the typical red little spots on your soft cheeks
they were so beautiful, they asked for more
May 10th was every year a day to remember
because after all, it was... your birthday
your smile, it was heartfelt and sincere
it was so beautiful, for sure, and that was for real
you worked and grubbed like no other
but you did it, without one word of grumble, you knew: "it must"
I do vividly remember you went for the bean harvest
early in the morning, that was the moment you left
you already had a double day task with all your children
but you wanted to work even more, nobody could stop you from that
you can look for hours around
nobody has ever done what you've done, nobody can even touch your heels
the simplicity with which you lived amongst us
this, that honours you the most
during the night you've been many times awake
carrying as you were, every time and every body very
willing
the little house in the Smissestraat
there we've been raised, with and by our Mother
the table was covered, each and every day
what this meant, I only realised it many years later
when I was on my own
only then, I realised what you've done for me my whole life
I couldn't do my studies without both of you
you were not
begrudged, you allowed me to do
we didn't live in a lot of luxury, but we certainly didn't lack anything too
you both have been taking care of this, with all your capabilities
you were always there, day and night
healthy or sick, you were always be on guard
all the support we needed, we have received
you were never shy for an effort
you were a severe Mother, but a justly one
this was your character, soft but good-hearted
I'm so happy to be raised by you
that has shown me the way for my future life
few have been so lucky nowadays
to have such Mother, so amiable
you could never say "no"
you thought you would hurt someone because of that
everybody was welcome into your house, family or stranger
everybody felt comfortable in there
a bad quality of you?
I don't know any, that's why I love you so much
I've known you knitting many winter evenings little socks
you loved it, row after row
the nicest present you left for Father
are your 9 children, your offspring
you have been able to celebrate your "Golden Jubilee"
we enjoyed it all, we knew it would please you very much
I know that was one of the happiest days of your life
you gave again the best of yourself, that day
even if you had, like so many, a bad day
also then we could count on you, even with a big smile
your many backaches, sometimes not bearable, sometimes lots of suffer
even that couldn't stop you, you wanted to fight the pain
nobody can replace you, nobody can get near to you
what you've done, cannot be gathered by anyone
I only have one "Mother", and that's you
to be your son, is an honour, that makes me extensively happy
Father is suffering a lot without you
but know, he's the one who loved you most, his wife
it's our duty to take good care of our Father
because you wouldn't have wanted it otherwise, but taking care of him
that fatal day, that fatal fall
made us cry our heart out
you have lived in dignity, you have served in dignity
you've more than deserved the biggest honour
saying goodbye to you, hurts awfully
without you, it will never be the same again
whenever you leave, it's always too early
we still had to ask you so many things, we didn't know enough yet
but knowing you're waiting for us
it's this, that alleviates a bit the pain
sleep well, dear Mother, and rest in peace
know that you will never be out of our thoughts, we will carry you in our heart for the rest of our live
once the day will come we will see each other again
you can't imagine how happy I will be, to see you again
I have to let you go now, my dearest Mother, I have to let you go
but know that you will live forever in my heart
we can't stand still, we have to think about tomorrow
I know you will take care about us from Heaven
because Heaven, that's what you've earned a thousand times
nobody else, who has served the Lord so loyal
Goodbye, my beloved Mother...
Geert, 16 augustus 2006
"Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there, I do not sleep
I am a thousand winds that blow
I am the diamond glints on snow
I am the sunlight on ripened grain
I am the gentle autumn rain
When you awake in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circle flight
I am the soft stars that shine at night
Do not stand at my grave and cry
I am not there, I did not die"
Thanks, Sheila and David