family, funeral and healing
I just got back from the funeral of my uncle Abe. My brother, sister, Mom, Dad and I piled in our van and traveled to Comox, BC. We arrived to take part in first the graveside service, then later the memorial service. We all got together later at night for a big potluck.
The VanderKwaak family is a big family. My Dad has eight siblings. Uncle Abe was the oldest brother. He was a hard working, faithful man who, with his wife, also raised a large family. So, do the math and you'll notice that I am part of a large extended family. Lots of uncles, aunts, and cousins. If you run into anyone with the name Vanderkwaak, chances are really good we are related.
Although the occasion for us traveling to Comox was sad, the re-union with the extended family was beautiful. I met and became re-acquainted with relatives that I haven't seen for over 20 years. We all grew up in Terrace together, but after high school we dispersed to begin our own lives -- we never really stayed connected.
Growing up in Terrace was a mixed bag for our family. The large VanderKwaak clan co-existed in the same town, yet there was a noticeable distance between some of the families. No open disputes, but yet distance. Why it was there, I don't know.
The cool thing is that we now talked about family dynamics for the first time as extended family. We all noticed the distance growing up, yet no one professed to know the reasons for it. We wanted to put it behind us, and we did.
It was so good to see everyone. It was a strengthening experience for me to be with the people that I belong to.
As we left Comox today, we exchanged phone numbers, emails and we all want to stay in touch. Many commented that the occasion for us gathering was sad, but the re-union was beautiful. There was healing within our families.
The VanderKwaak family is a big family. My Dad has eight siblings. Uncle Abe was the oldest brother. He was a hard working, faithful man who, with his wife, also raised a large family. So, do the math and you'll notice that I am part of a large extended family. Lots of uncles, aunts, and cousins. If you run into anyone with the name Vanderkwaak, chances are really good we are related.
Although the occasion for us traveling to Comox was sad, the re-union with the extended family was beautiful. I met and became re-acquainted with relatives that I haven't seen for over 20 years. We all grew up in Terrace together, but after high school we dispersed to begin our own lives -- we never really stayed connected.
Growing up in Terrace was a mixed bag for our family. The large VanderKwaak clan co-existed in the same town, yet there was a noticeable distance between some of the families. No open disputes, but yet distance. Why it was there, I don't know.
The cool thing is that we now talked about family dynamics for the first time as extended family. We all noticed the distance growing up, yet no one professed to know the reasons for it. We wanted to put it behind us, and we did.
It was so good to see everyone. It was a strengthening experience for me to be with the people that I belong to.
As we left Comox today, we exchanged phone numbers, emails and we all want to stay in touch. Many commented that the occasion for us gathering was sad, but the re-union was beautiful. There was healing within our families.
posted by mike vanderkwaak at
10:53 PM
1 Comments:
Hello, from the homestead in Terrace. Glad you could meet in Comox, mom and Hilda were able to make it from my side, wish I could have been there too. I find some of the VDK clan when I am googling along and am proud of all the various accomplishments among us. Opa and Oma would be very proud of us all, take care, Bill Braam.`
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