90 (3)

It’s 90 years ago today that my sweet mother-in-law, Dora Vogels-Teunissen was born. Although she has become more fragile in the past couple of years, she is still up and running. Well, not running so much, but living on her own, cooking dinner when we come over, going to her grandsons’ soccer games, doing groceries. Temporarily, outdoor activities have to be performed with transport assistance of others, as she gave up driving her car earlier this year. Soon, she will venture out in her brand new (“hip”) scootmobile.

Dora is the sweetest mother (in-law), always there to care for her offspring and help others: ‘old people’. If there is a piece of clothing or household fabric that needs fixing: there is nothing her nimble hands cannot do. After all, she was trained as a seemstress, 75 years ago.

She finds it hard to accept help from her family, neighbours and friends, which has become increasingly necessary. Yet, she stands fierce – even though she has shrunk 12cm in the past years.

Dora misses her visits to Amsterdam: she used to drive up here from Breda by herself up to age 86! After a mishap with her bicycle in which she hurt her back, she no longer drives long stretches.

She is the last of her generation: her four older brothers (she lagged 10 years behind) and their wives have all passed, as have her 7 brothers- and sister-in-law and their spouses. The group of school friends – yes, from 75 years ago – has dwindled from 8 + spouses to 3 + 1 spouse.

Dora Vogels: long(er) may she live!