by Meta Evenbly | Aug 9, 2023 | Uncategorized
My husband was born in Leopoldville, the Belgian Congo, later called Kinshasa, Zaire, from two Dutch parents. The world had gone through a world war, followed by a recession. Work was hard to find, but Frits’ father found work in the Belgian Congo as a supplier...
by Meta Evenbly | Jul 28, 2023 | Uncategorized
Near the Oranje Hotel prison in Scheveningen, there was a lovely park. It was called Klein Zwitserland. The grass was green and soft. No fire ants, like where I live now. I used to walk there and lie down, looking up at the trees and imagining that I was lying on top...
by Meta Evenbly | Jul 26, 2023 | Uncategorized
In those days, there was conscription of all young males of 18, with the usual exceptions. Frits did not qualify for any exception. He was not very pleased to enter the armed forces. I am not sure what the pay was, except that it was enough to buy a daily packet of...
by Meta Evenbly | Jul 18, 2023 | Uncategorized
1952. It was Sunday afternoon at the Ann en Wim Smit Dance School. Excitement rose as the new pupils came in, one by one or in small groups. I was lucky to be there. Five days ago, I had turned 17, and I was given permission to follow the intermediate ballroom classes...
by Meta Evenbly | Jun 6, 2023 | Uncategorized
On this day in 1903 my father was born. Were he alive, he would be 120 years old. He died at the age of 77. Although far too young in my mind, he far outlived expectations. He was not expected to survive. There were no baby ICU’s in those days. My grandmother heated...
by Caroline | May 22, 2023 | Uncategorized
Mothers are good at giving advice—especially mine. Even though I’m grandmother to eight children and she’s 88, Mom regularly reminds me, “Enjoy who you have when you have them,” “Make the best of what you have,” and “Love your children passionately.” When she said...
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