In just over a month, I will celebrate by 86^th birthday. I was born on the shores of the North Sea. The sound of the waves was my lullaby, the watchtower in the harbor kept watch over me.

I had a few years of innocence, but the end of my first decade found me cold and emaciated. I kept telling myself that I would not be the next person to drop down head from hunger. My part of the Netherlands was not of strategic importance, and no food was sent to us.

I survived, and the next decade found me happy, working and studying, while dreaming of married life with my fiancé, Frits. We married, emigrated to Canada, and lived five years on the shores of Lake Ontario. It could not take the place of the North Sea, but I was happy. We then moved to Brantford, where we lived through the threats of nuclear war.

The end of my third decade found us moving to Iowa with our four children, as far away from any ocean as it was possible to get. This decade was also filled with many joys. My fifth and last child was born, a girl. There were also difficult times, but they were overcome. I was 42 when we became American citizens on May 1.

The end of my fourth decade found us living in England. I was elated to be closer to oceans again and much closer to the Netherlands. The move was tough on our children. Here we took the first steps to become empty nesters, and I became a grandmother just before my 45^th birthday.

The end of my fifth decade found us back in Iowa. By now, I had three grandchildren, who with their parents, stayed in England. Our youngest daughter also married a British man and continued to live in England. To our joy, both families eventually moved back to the USA.

The end of my sixth decade found me in Houston, Texas. It also found me with an undergraduate degree at 59 years old. This had been on my list of dreams since I was about ten years old. I had a most glorious study time. Being an old(er) student was so very rewarding. It was great for me and for the younger students.

The end of the seventh decade found me in Southlake, Texas. Another church home, another library, another neighborhood, another challenge. We added seven beautiful great-grandchildren to our brood, as well as a lot of beautiful non-biological grandchildren and great grandchildren. It was about this time that I realized that time only goes one way.

Now, I am in my eighth decade. Just over three years ago I lost my beloved husband. I’ve also added more great-grandchildren. I am still excited about life. Inside I am still that child, Meta, the curious, happy, determined child. Added to that now is a great store of experience, life’s lessons learned and the wisdom of the old.

It is possible that my Father will call me home this decade. Although I would like to stay around and see my family grow, I am also ready to go home when I am called. What wonderful and great new things I will learn then!