Colour

In the midst of boxes and farewells and cleaning and storage (in other words, anything that has the steely shine of "MOVING" glinting off of it!) it is nice to take the time to catch up on some cosy, family news. Caught in a twisted warp of a flu bug that incapacitated me for quite a bit, I am now back in full swing with more appreciation for life after my absence from it. My Dutchman is quite the nurse and the fact that he is so handsome makes being sick that much better.

We had a new arrival in the family a couple of weeks ago. Peter and I are button-popping proud. Meet "Eva" :

We thought "Eva" (or Dutch for "Eve") suited the first car for either of us. She is a '98 Ford Fiesta, with 81,000 km on her and runs beautifully.  She really is a gift from the Giver of gifts.

So, we note the passing of the era of bikes and horses in the Frinsel history. (although those two forms of transportation will still retain their popularity due to outstanding gas prices...)

Everything is wrapping up for us here in Holland and my List of Lasts (my family is quite conscious of and intimate with this certain List) has begun. I have found however a special something that takes the sting out of this sad inventory: enjoyment. It is much easier to let go of something when it has been truly appreciated and enjoyed, than knowing that there was more and that more will never be again. The ache of regret is the worst ache of all. 

As we entered our final week here, the wheels of "Eva" took us to a famous national sight that gave us refreshment and energy for the times ahead. The Keukenhof is home to an overwhelming 7 million flower bulbs that are in their glorious peak during the month of April. If you have ever visited the Louvre of Paris or any another museum that is so luxurious in its vast collection of art, you will know the feeling that the Keukenhof's natural collection bestows. There is so much beauty around you that you can't take it in, you know you can't, and your brain feels guilty of the charge. You just have to soak it up and curl your toes in it.
I was so surrounded by colour (which is a boring word for such a brilliant thing!) that it quite overwhelmed me. I raptly asked Peter what it would be like to actually drink colour. He vaguely replied that he had heard some where that it wasn't good for you. Yes, my artistic soul is joined to a beautifully practical one. (He later admitted that it might taste nice...)

After our dip into the world of colour, "Eva" took us to the coast, where we had a bracing walk along the Dutch shore in the blast of a north wind. That same wind blew out some of the staleness that life and practicality has crusted in our minds and went on to fluff up the edges of our souls. And now... we are ready for the Move. We head out this Saturday to Germany. We do not as yet have an apartment or a job, but we are living and moving by God's grace always. Added to that, (as someone recently told us) our story, "will make a very romantic tale one day of how two people in love didn't let distance or social barriers hinder their bid for a wonderful life together." How is that for adding glamour to the seemingly mundane? 

Now, here is some colour for you to take a dive in! 

                                            

To come... An Ode to the Lowlands...