I am taking a short break from updating about the exchange. On Saturday, September 5, 2009 our beloved Oma passed away. Today (Tuesday) was her funeral. We were obviously unable to attend. Here is a short tribute I wrote to my grandmother.

Tribute to Oma from a grandchild

For a deWit grandchild there was never a more magical place than Oma and Opa’s house. The orange brick home, with the Carpe Diem sign, would welcome you as your parents pulled up the driveway. Even the driveway was magical as there always seemed to be enough room for the ever increasing number of cars coming to all the family get-togethers.
If you got there early you got to park in front of the big green doors of the garage. The garage held all the usual stuff, like the car, lawn mower and of course all the play stuff, like the stilts, skiis and fishing poles. The backyard held such delightful things as a swing set, Zim Zam, sand box, and a lawn that was big enough for a game of soccer. There was a garden that with its endless rows of veggies, the chicken coop, and the mud creek.

When you got to the back door there was usually a pair of Opa’s wooden shoes beside it. Nobody used the front door and everybody knew that if nobody was home you just put your hand on the window ledge and found the key and unlocked the door and let yourself in. The kitchen was an inviting place, with a small table to have a meal at or maybe a cup of apple juice and an oatmeal cookie. Surprisingly enough, there was always enough chairs to be found, complete with a cushion which made a small child feel like royalty as you got to sit up high at the table, like an adult! The living room was always crowded with grownups speaking a mix of Dutch and English, having their boring grown-up conversations. When we arrived we had to go up to the adult whose birthday it was, and shake their hand and say something like “Congratulations” or “Happy Birthday.”

Then we would get the nod from Mom and Dad and be released to the basement!! We would clammer down the stairs as fast as we could and join our other cousins there. The basement was the best place for a bunch of energetic grandkids to play. There Oma had a stash of fun things like tricycles, balls and hockey sticks and we were free to run and squeal our tires and make as much noise as we wanted.

Sometimes, if we were really lucky, mom and dad would drop us off at Oma and Opa’s place to stay the night. If it was summer time Oma and Opa’s big green and orange canvas tent would get set up and we would be able to sleep in it for the night with another cousin or sibling. Giggling and telling stories for the first bit, then falling asleep, scared that the black bears would come from the woods and get us. Oma also showed us the scary garter snakes hiding under the rocks by their old barn. Oma was also proud of her grandchildren’s “art’ work, saving each masterpiece, never throwing it out.

One time, Oma and Opa had an anniversary party in their yard. There were a lot of people present and they were all doing the grown up things, talking, drinking coffee and eating cake. A group of us were playing on the driveway with the stilts, having our own fun. At one point Oma left the grown ups and came around the corner of the house and started playing with us. She actually started walking on the stilts in her good dress, shoes and necklace - much to the amusement of all of us.

As a grandchild, you always knew that faith was important. When you looked into the living room you could always see that simple inverted sign that says “Jesus”. Prayer opened and closed every meal and the Bible was always read at the end. Oma had a unique way of getting some of her grandchildren to memorize scripture by offering us a chocolate bar for memorizing a psalm. . To this day I can still recite the 23rd Psalm and have gotten my own children to memorize scripture using the same method.

Today, Oma, you are living in another house, in a room that your heavenly Father has prepared for you. We will miss you, but we know that the example of your life has impacted all your grandchildren. You valued us and loved us unconditionally. Family was a high priority. You knew how to laugh and how to embrace life. Your example of faith and the strength that you possessed has influenced a generation. Well done.

Many of your grandchildren have now have become parents. We all count it a privilege and a blessing to have been able to introduce our children to you.
Someday, when I am blessed with grandchildren I am only going to answer to one name,

Oma