As this year is reaching its end we look back on a year filled with many wonderful moments but also some difficult ones. Or, as Jochem said; it’s not a year one want to experience too often. We had a very busy 2009 with much work, a long renovation of our summerhouse, much travelling for Jochem and often a feeling of not enough time. At the same time we did many nice things, experienced many fun parties, visits, went on several weekend trips, got to know new friends and experienced many examples of good faith and sometimes even miracles. The children feel much at home in Sweden and as we passed the 1 ½ year mark of moving here we asked the children about their view on our life here in Ulricehamn. They responded that this place offers everything they want!
Ingrid will turn 11 in February and sports still plays an important role in her life as does singing (which she does non-stop!). She is determined in whatever she does and I have at a weak moment promised to help her with her interval training this spring (whereby she will discover that she is in a lot better shape than her mother!) Elsa is our actor, performer and keeps the creative spirit high in this family. She participated, together with Ingrid, in a musical this year and really enjoyed it. For Nils, who just turned 6, this was the year where he conquered the Swedish language and he has fully inherited the talkative skills of his parents. It is a constant “what, why, where, who and when” and his curiosity for everything in and around his daily life is great. Jochem (who’s age I wont mention :)) had a year with ups and downs and obviously felt the effects of a world economy on the loose. The many hours of travelling to all parts of the world took their toll and in 2010 he will take time off work to spend time with us and try to find another path. I had a successful year at work and met many inspiring people! The positive aspect of small town life is the non-set approach to things in general. You need to work together in order to achieve things and many people are involved in many different businesses or projects overlapping different disciplines. This is the strength of smaller places and even if I sometime complain about slow decision-making and conservatism I think the end result contributes to creativity and new ideas! Ulricehamn is more than just a pretty place! (Says the civil servant :)!)
In 2009 Sweden saw a new birth record. Not since 1946 have we been this productive and my sister Hanna participated full heartedly giving birth to Lisa in June (not to forget all the other babies that many of you guys delivered!!). Hanna and Kristian also surprised us all with a surprise wedding at Lisa’s baptising. My mother celebrated her 65th birthday and in 2010 both my parents will retire and enjoy, among other things, a trip to Jordan. Jochem’s mother Nell came over for a visit on her own this year while Jochem stayed in the Netherlands taking care of his father Jacques (who suffers from Alzheimer). Hopefully we can arrange a similar trip in 2010 but first we will visit them in February!
For some of you 2009 was a really difficult year and our heart goes out to all friends and family who suffered serious illnesses, difficult childbirths, unemployment and other difficult situations. We hope you see us as good friends in difficult times and know that the door is always open! As I write this Jochem and the girls are out skiing and Nils is playing Nintendo sitting here next to me. Our holiday will be filled with family and friends, relaxing and enjoying the snow and when it comes to Christmas gifts I think we already got the best possible one. About a week ago my friend Anine gave birth to a little boy (with the help of Jens naturally !). Every child is a gift but this little boy is a true miracle and shows that dreams can come true even when everyone else has given up hope! And I think that this is what I want to bring to you in the end of 2009; enjoy the small things in life, cherish the moments of friends and family together but don’t forget to dream cause miracles do happen!
Lots of love from Ulrika, Jochem, Ingrid, Elsa and Nils Geeraedts!
May 2013
in Ulricehamn
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Time is but a moment
We have a painting in our bedroom with the words; Time is but a moment. I often lay in bed looking at these words trying to figure out exactly what they mean. Maybe time is but a moment and the moments pass as life unfolds. You can choose to take the lead, to join the ride, be as much part of it as you wish but it continues ahead whether you like it or not.
Yesterday we celebrated Nils 6th birthday and I still clearly remember calling Jochem 6 years ago (who was in an airplane and could not answer) that I was off to deliver our third child and that I would appreciate him being there. He did arrive a few hours later, dressed in a suit holding his briefcase and 15 minutes later Nils showed up.
- That went quick, he said but took one look at me and changed his wording to;
- What a fantastic job you have done, love!
However we experiences the birth of a child it is a moment, which will stay with us for the rest of our lives. Larger events such as weddings, the birth of a child, a successful personal achievement are often remembered but then you also have these small, unplanned moments that stay with you. Moments when your child said something really funny or unexpected, moments when a normal day turned into a special day because you met someone or experienced something out of the ordinary. A caring message from someone, a good laugh, sharing the sorrow of something with a close friend – these are all moments caught in our time and collected in our memory.
The last few weeks have been filled with nice experiences such as my sister’s hen party. She had a surprise wedding at her daughter Lisa’s baptising but we felt a need for a belated hen party. With a indulging spa experience and a massive seafood platter, wine and champagne, friends and family around her I think Hanna enjoyed her day very much and so did I. Last weekend I went to Varberg to celebrate the 21st anniversary of my friendship to Helena and Jenny and also got to know a new friend. Good friends are rare and I feel very fortunate for all the people I have around me who inspire, who show me new possibilities and who make living such a great experience. And talking about new experiences, this weekend I joined a wine and cheese club and met a different Ulricehamn from what I am used to which was fun and unexpected. Then we celebrated Nils birthday party and ended Saturday evening by sleeping on the ground in front of the fireplace.
I like to believe that I collect all nice experiences in a small internal space where time is but a moment but where the memory can last for a lifetime.
Wishing you all moments to remember!
Yesterday we celebrated Nils 6th birthday and I still clearly remember calling Jochem 6 years ago (who was in an airplane and could not answer) that I was off to deliver our third child and that I would appreciate him being there. He did arrive a few hours later, dressed in a suit holding his briefcase and 15 minutes later Nils showed up.
- That went quick, he said but took one look at me and changed his wording to;
- What a fantastic job you have done, love!
However we experiences the birth of a child it is a moment, which will stay with us for the rest of our lives. Larger events such as weddings, the birth of a child, a successful personal achievement are often remembered but then you also have these small, unplanned moments that stay with you. Moments when your child said something really funny or unexpected, moments when a normal day turned into a special day because you met someone or experienced something out of the ordinary. A caring message from someone, a good laugh, sharing the sorrow of something with a close friend – these are all moments caught in our time and collected in our memory.
The last few weeks have been filled with nice experiences such as my sister’s hen party. She had a surprise wedding at her daughter Lisa’s baptising but we felt a need for a belated hen party. With a indulging spa experience and a massive seafood platter, wine and champagne, friends and family around her I think Hanna enjoyed her day very much and so did I. Last weekend I went to Varberg to celebrate the 21st anniversary of my friendship to Helena and Jenny and also got to know a new friend. Good friends are rare and I feel very fortunate for all the people I have around me who inspire, who show me new possibilities and who make living such a great experience. And talking about new experiences, this weekend I joined a wine and cheese club and met a different Ulricehamn from what I am used to which was fun and unexpected. Then we celebrated Nils birthday party and ended Saturday evening by sleeping on the ground in front of the fireplace.
I like to believe that I collect all nice experiences in a small internal space where time is but a moment but where the memory can last for a lifetime.
Wishing you all moments to remember!
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