I thought of writing some words of goodbye. But how am I going to say goodbye, if you are here yet, so present. It seems that any time I`m going to see you come walking with your characteristic walk and see your typical figure that could be identified within a crowd. This way of walking has led you to transit new paths, try new horizons and challenges. Perhaps induced for your life situation but also because of your adventurous spirit. An uncle who offered you work in a far away country, with great potential! Your curiosity helped you decide to come, see and try for yourself! You travelled to Argentina. A year later came mom, you got married. Then Henriette came, me and finally Tonny. Many stories, many memories...
I remember then how I loved to sit on your lap, I loved to give you kisses, I loved when you took me on the bike and I loved the doll you brought me from a trip to Holland, which I still keep. Your presence is very strong in me and in us all. You were a good father, a good man. But when I close my eyes and remember you, the most powerful thoughts are about your essence: restless, curious, adventurous, hard-working, enterprising, faithful, straight, but mostly free. You were a free man. You needed freedom.
The values you taught us will be the most enduring treasure we earned from you. I shall not say goodbye, only in a physical way, because we all have something of you within us... some of the things you have taught us. Today I am very sad. But life gave me the opportunity in this last time to tell you how much I loved you. That gave me a lot of peace. That was my farewell...
