Always Learning

Whenever I think about Winnie Laagland Winder and her trek to Canada back in 1955, I frequently try to put myself in her shoes--I can NOT speak the language (one of the biggest hurdles she had to overcome perhaps), I do NOT know a single soul, I have no other family in this area, I'm pregnant and probably need a doctor. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. My husband has got to work day and night to not only feed us, but he's also striving to build our first new home in Canada. How am I ever supposed to cope with this mountain in front of me?

Winnie's inner strength (and the well must have run deep) carried her through many struggles I know, but her faith in God was also put to the test. When she had seemingly no one to turn to, she would pray, on her knees, with all the children tucked in bed--she would pray. "Heavenly Father, you brought us to this big land and I know you'll keep and protect us. Help Cor and I to always do your will, help us to raise our children to believe and trust in you, watch over them Lord. I love them as you love us and help me to be a good mother. Amen"

God surely answered her prayers, and I believe even Winnie was amazed at just how He answered. The friends Winnie made in Marysville were a great support system for her, helping her with so many little things. By extending invitations to their homes, they offered advice, a shoulder, and an arm chair to sit in while they shared knitting patterns and recipes.

Winnie's baking expertise became one of her "signature" identification traits, right up there with her infectious smile. And those 2 things conjure up so many stories, and I'll share a few in the upcoming posts. Suffice to say at this point, that the learning never stopped, and neither does it for any of us. Winnie may have started her life in Canada with many obstacles, but that didn't prevent her from becoming a delightful friend, faithful servant of God, and a loving Mother.

I can recall countless times when Winnie would be sitting at my kitchen table, asking for the recipe of the muffins I was serving, and she would tell me, "I can always learn to make new things--that is good". Her independant spirit was evident even in her final days with her struggle with Alzheimer's Disease. She never gave up; her inner light never faded, not until her last breath. I so loved that about her!

To me, Wijtske Laagland Winder was an inspiration; someone who gave of herself tirelessly and never complained. Writing about "bits" of her life is (admittedly) helping me to personally cope with our loss. But even more importantly, what you read here just may be inspiring for you. That's my hope today.

I'll not wait too long to share more--Blessings to you and Yours, Barb

As a tip--I think I'll recount a story from my husband's point of view (since he was there) in the next post. He is after all, my key research assistant:o) I am posting this today and will add photos later:o)

Welcome to Canada

Settling in, with 4 boys, ages 10-2, I'm certain was an acconplishment deserving of at least "Mother of the Year" for the young Wijtske (then almost 29, in 1955). And I must also add here that baby # 5 was on the way and would be the first (daughter) born in Canada.

So, with less than $100 and only a few personal belongings, Winnie and Cornelis had already determinied this wasn't any holiday abroad. Challenges they perhaps hadn't even thought of were awaiting them. There would be no turning back, no giving up. They would make this work.

As Winnie regaled me with tales of those initial days of adjustment, one memory stands out for me as sweet, yet profound. Early on she quickly saw how members of the community of Marysville reached out to these new Dutch neighbours, inviting them to church and ladie's groups with the hand of friendship.

As Winnie's 4 youngsters explored the neighbourhood and learned English with relative ease, it became quite apparent that a new baby was on the way. The ladies of the Reformed Baptist Church got together and organized a baby shower for the young mother, deciding they would go to her house with food and gifts, as is the custom here in the Maritimes.

Let me just interject at this point that in Holland, at that time, there was no such thing as a baby shower, so the concept was another totally foreign idea to the Laagland Winders.

Can you just picture the astonishment on Winnie's face when hearing a knock, she opened the door to several women standing on her front step (of one of the brick houses on "Brick Hill"), gifts and containers in hand, asking the bewildered Winnie if they could come in.

This is where I couldn't stop smiling and asking Winnie, "What did you do, what did you say?"

"Well, I stood back and said, welcome, welcome, come in". I remember Winnie telling me there were probably 20-30 women, all crowding into their very small living room and kitchen area, setting out food, laying presents--somewhere. Some of the details were sketchy at best, but I can imagine Winnie as she said, "Very nice" after opening each gift, still pondering why these women would do such a thing.

For me, the new custom not only presented Winnie with gifts for the new baby, it was the beginning of many new friendships, long-lasting and unconditional. That baby shower introduced a young Dutch mother to Canadian ways like no other event could have. She realized that her neighbours saw her as one of them and not the "foreigner" she may have thought they would have.

She was accepted into their lives and their ways, and she would have felt deeply the love and kindness extended to her. Yes, it's one my favourite "Winnie" stories, being a mother myself and remembering the baby showers I attended over the years for friends and family. I don't think any could compare to Winnie's "induction" into the Canadian "mothers" club". Her first (Canadian) daughter would also experience the baby shower parties, giving birth to a son and daughter, blessing Winnie and Cor with grandbabies to love and cherish.

I have lots more to share with you, but I'm saving these chronicles for later posts. Drop by again to Bits & Pieces, and don't forget to sign in and leave a comment. I love hearing from readers--lets me know this Blog isn't just floating in space for naught.

Blessings to you & "Yours",
Barb
PS: The 2 photos at the top are of Nellie, aged 7 months, and the other is of Cor with Nell and Hans

A Beautiful Lady

There are special people that God has placed in our lives, to enrich our own little corners of the Universe, and today I'd like to pay tribute to one such extraordinary lady.

Her name was Wijtske (fondly known as Winnie by her Canadian friends & family) Laagland Winder. If anyone had asked her to describe herself, I'm sure she would have said there was nothing remarkable about her or her life. She gave birth to 8 children, was a stay-at-home Mom and a loyal and loving wife.

There's not a star on the walk of fame in her honour, nor is she known to the world. Her achievments were nothing out of the ordinary she would tell you; she was just a mother who loved her family and did the best she could.

But to those who loved "her", she epitomized the courage and strength it took to adapt to a new culture and a new beginning after the Second Great World War.

Immigrating to Canada with her husband and 4 young sons, Winnie surely must have struggled to leave her beloved Holland, all remnants of "familiar" (except what they could fit in a large wooden crate) and board a huge troop ship bound for Halifax, taking them to a land of "unknowns", but also opportunities, so they were told.

I imagine, if I close my eyes, Winnie's first glimpse of the shores of Canada, as her 4 boys and husband stood by her side, her excitement building even while her stomach did flip-flops. What would have been her first thought as she tried to quiet those rambunctious "Dutchies" as they climbed up to get a better look?

Fear, I'm sure, must have gripped her heart, but wonder and an intense longing to touch her feet to soil after a 7 day journey on the open seas would have flooded her young mind. How would she manage the language barrier, how would she ever get used to new customs, meet strangers who would look at her with perhaps pity. But maybe those would have been my fears.

I think Winnie Laagland Winder trusted God to take care of her and her family, buckling up for the road ahead. Even as her husband headed off on a train to Fredericton, where he would find work, Winnie did what she had to do to get through those first days at Pier 21, living in dormatory surroundings. Listening to her tell the stories, it would seem she took hold of the adverture in the same manner her children did. "Let's settle in, make the best of things and see what happens".

And on that note, I'm going to leave "the rest of the story" for another post--perhaphs several more posts, as I fondly remember the woman who became my mother-in-law, the stong and capable woman who pulled me into her generous and loving heart.

Stay tuned for more and till the next time (I will try to not keep you waiting too long)--Blessings to you and "Yours",
Barb
PS: The picture at the top is of Winnie and her 2 oldest sons, Arend and Marten. This photo was taken in 1947.