My father passed away a year ago today. I thought I’d share a picture of him and my brother Kris. Kris became a father today. Bitter-sweet.

What a wonderful day. On the first anniversay of my father’s death, my brother and his wife welcomed a beautiful, healthy baby girl to the world. Laia de Jong. Mother and father are doing well. As is my mother, a newly-minted and excited grandmother. My wife Isa couldn’t be happier; …

My uncle Arno, my Dad’s twin brother, passed away yesterday; my Dad, almost a year go. My Grandmother is having a difficult time. I thought I’d share a picture of Arno and René when young, in the late 1950s. And here is another picture, taken at the same place in …

I got a surfski and took her out on the lake today. She is wonderfully tipsy and with each stroke I had to work hard at not falling into the water. A great way to strengthen your core. I have yet to name the boat, but I’m partial to Sihuehuet: a Nahuatl …

Today is Liberation Day in the Netherlands. It marks the end of the occupation of the Netherlands by Nazi Germany during the Second World War. About five years ago, I stumbled on a laminated newspaper article celebrating my great-grandparents 50th wedding anniversary and the role they played during the War. The source is …