Liefste Tante Syl,

 

I'm writing in English, because my Dutch is quite rusty and knowing the Scholtens... I know I won't live it down if a mistake is made or a saying comes across with the incorrect meaning.

 

Rumah Ribut is how I would describe the family reunions in Klimmen, Zeeland or Eindhoven of the Scholtens, Moestl's and Wigeri's. Here we come like The Clampet's with grandparents and kids all stuffed in the cars like Sardines. Not just one car but multiple cars, we even had our own mechanic (Oom Ron) to make a pit stop to check Papa's car before we'd leave on the trips ...with at one time strict instructions not to stop anywhere ... The car will die ... Don't stop....having to cross a busy highway ..... Our eyes wide open and Mommy nervous that we'd get stuck in the middle of the road, us kids told to be quiet, and Oma Wigeri making us nauseous with her 47 11 Cologne.

 

What an experience that was... And one I'll never forget. And each time we'd sing "We zijn der bijna... We zijn der bijna ... Maar nog niet helemaal !!!"

 

The happy times in Klimmen, sitting in the backyard, listening to stories from long ago. The smell of food coming out of that kitchen and always the 3 families together ... A bond which can never be broken.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tante Syl ... Your picture with Mommy at her wedding .... So beautiful ... So long ago ... Your bond with her ... Always there..... The trips to Zeeland .... Oh what happy times ... Something us kids would always look forward to ...

Rumah Ribut.... Family is in town.. The card games.. .The cheating and teasing and laughter!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Opa and Oma's 50th Anniversary: An unforgetable day... Families and friends from near and far ... What a feast that was. The sleeping arrangement 3 floors, one with kids, one for the women and one for the men..... Memories always and forever instilled in my mind.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then we moved away and you and the rest of the families sorely missed... Families fell apart who once were so close... Uncles and Aunts whom I'll never see again... Nieces and nephews I don't even know.... But on those rare occasions we're able to come... Sitting in the plane with the feeling of coming home...

 

The Scholtens... The Moestl's .. The Wigeri's .... This bond will never be broken. You always welcome us home... like a warm blanket and surround us with Laughter, Love and Joy!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tante Syl ... You are the Matriarch .... A job well done...You are the center of the Zeeland clan...who is loved in an immeasurable way... And even though we are so far away Our wish is for you to have the Happiest of Birthdays surrounded by all those who's life's you've touched!

 

Another Rumah Ribut tante .... With all our love....

 

The Wigeri van Edema's