1940, I was born in Wellerlooi, Holland on a farm
And lived with no harm,

Until midwinter of 1945,
When during WW2, we had to evacuate to stay alive.

To a town called Doezem in the North, we were sent by train,
While we suffered from cold, hunger, and rain.

We returned home in that year in May feeling swell,
Because all of us were alive, healthy, and well.

In 1952, I went out of my comfort zone
When I was send to boarding school not too far from home.

1958, I entered Nursing school in Venlo, and it was the norm
To live in the nursing dorm.

I had a boyfriend who pursued me as a fool
Therefore, I move to Oldenzaal, to a different nursing school.

1961 I met Gerard and after graduation, it seemed clear
To take a job In Delden to stay near.

But in 1962, after a few months, I decided to go,
Because the pay was too low.

I took a job as a private duty nurse
In Nijmegen to have more money in my purse.

1963 – In Enschede we married,
And into the new flat I was carried,

We emigrated in 1964 to the USA
And the first month in La Puente with Gerard’s brother we got to stay.

In 1964, we were happy as a lark,
When we rented our own apartment in Baldwin Park.

1965 We bought our first home in Covina with a pool
Walking distance to an elementary school

1971 Then it was a thrill
To buy a model home in West Covina on top of a hill.

1973 We had no reason to be sad
When in Holland we sold our flat.

1973 Because we then had the money and did not need a loan
To buy a classic Lake Arrowhead vacation home.

1978 We sold the home in the mountains and the one on the Hill
And bought horse property…what a thrill!.

And while we designed and built our 6400 sq. foot home
Again without a loan…

We lived in a condo during construction for a year
So the children could attend the same school very near.

1978 The move to the new home in Diamond Bar on the hill was very exciting
And to all our liking.

The girls were very exited to be able with their horse to enter
The beautiful equestrian center.

We lived 11 years in this home we all liked so well
But when the girls were gone and the price was high we were ready to sell.

1989 We downsized to a condo on the sea in Long Beach
And also a condo on a golf course Palm Valley in the desert was within reach.

1997 – There was something to be said
To buy with Frans another vacation home on Lake Arrowhead.

2001 But when the price increased we sold it to
And bought the family home in Wellerlooi and remodeled it like new.

2007 That home we sold to travel the world when we retired,
But it lasted only a year as also Frans expired.

To travel the world alone remains within my reach
In between spending my time in the desert and on the beach.

Moving again I do not have to face
As I am comfortable in either place.