It’s D-Day today.
(If you’re not doing the A-Z Challenge, Wednesday is the fourth day of a fun, twenty-six post challenge based around the alphabet.)
If you are doing A-Z, and you’ve also posted today for Insecure Writers Support Group, more power to your elbows, that’s all I can say.
(Me? I did my early IWSG post here.)
So, in honor of A-Z, I wanted to share the last existing copy of “Mark’s Mixed Irish-Hollands Alphabet."
Written by my beloved grandmother, Oma Brinkerink, this precursor to the A-Z dates back to at least 1974.
I re-discovered this "post" from Oma the other day when unloading some boxes. (Note the cut and paste picture... when you actually had to Cut. And. Paste. :)
(Yes, we’ve been in the house since this past July, but we always try not to unpack toooo quickly…
Like good wine, packed boxes mature with age to where something marked “LIVING ROOM – BOOKS” can mean anything:)
In her day, Oma, who passed away in 2007, was an avid writer who wrote whenever she had any free time while raising four boys.
(Wow, that sounds familiar!!)
 |
| "D" *still* cracks me up :) |
Oma lived all her life in and around Amsterdam, Holland. She was the one who imprinted on me a love of writing, and she later – God bless her – took me in as a wild nineteen-year-old who wanted to explore the many er, different districts and, er, bright red lights of Amsterdam J
Oma, if you happen to be looking down on me from your rocking chair in Heaven, I hope you’re proud of your eldest grandson.
I’m eternally grateful that you discovered this gift in me and that you read so much to me during my formative years.
Especially books like De Koe Die In Het Vater Viel and The Adventures of Tom Bombadil (by some dude called Tolkien…)
And don't you worry, I’ll be reading these books to my three boys.
Oma, dank je wel, en ik hou van jou.
36 comments:
It's amazing you found this at the start of the challenge, like it was meant to be. I love this list, Wee Wee! :)
Universal Gibberish
T is Uncle Tom, always fighting me and making fun.
She was way ahead of her time, Mark!
That's a really cool find - bet you're glad you opened those boxes.
And I'm sure she is very proud of you!
What a super cool Grandma! I love that A-Z list!
This is so cute! It inspires me to write an alphabet for my kiddos! Good luck A to Zing!
lovely to read that again bro, dad just told me that Hendreika the cow was found in your suitcase when we cme from Holland 1 year... you bad boy!!!!
I love granny's and finding stuff like this! Awesome tribute to her! And "d" is pretty funny.
What a great thing to find! Just by reading it I can tell she was a fun loving person. When my Grandpa passed away I found an autograph book of his from when he was about 12 and all his family and friends signed it. Each signature also included really sweet messages about him. Me and my family laughed and cried as we read each entry. Things like these are priceless!
Lovely tribute to a lovely woman, Mark! What a gift she gave you to enjoy and pass on. I look forward to future posts. :)
My Oma passed in 2007 as well and she sounds like someone who's probably hanging with your Oma in their rocking chairs with the dogs sleeping by their feet. :)
That's terribly cute! She has a wonderful voice - and D made me chuckle, too. What happy memories - thanks for sharing them.
Wow, this is really cool. Sounds like you had a pretty amazing oma.
A super find and I think your grandmother planned for you to find it just now!
I love Amsterdam BTW. Went there last year, and may wind up there again this year. A place to walk and bike.
Don't worry I for one will be hanging out, I still have blogs without a single post in the last 10 months, just can't let old friends go, I reach via twitter and Fb whenever I can.
That's a hilarious list. Good luck with the WIP, never knew you were bi or is it multilingual like us.
This is such a wonderful memory! And so perfect for the challenge. :)
That's incredible! Wow. :D
Happy Hump Day!
My D
You do have a big mix of heritage and current living. How fun. Great A to Z list.
Write on!
Play off the Page
Oh, I love hearing about peoples families and traditions. ;0)
Jen from http://falling4fiction.blogspot.com/
Oh my gosh, this is SUCH a great find! Thanks for sharing it, I really enjoyed reading the list, so cute. Your grandma must have been awesome. What a treasure for you to still have this now.
This is awesome Mark! "D" cracks me up too! How fun. What a fun Oma. We called my grandma Oma too. Hmmm - I think that was her name, but maybe that means Grandma in German. I must do some research. :)
And I'm digging the original cut & past method.
Sorry Mark, wasn't paying attention to how it sounded. ;D Hope your wife doesn't sue me for defamation, but glad you found humour in it, says a lot about you, buddy.
I think your Oma is definitely proud of you.
Lots of fun here. I've seen the bridge in Holland, MI, like the one on the cow book. I'm trying to visit all the A-Z Challenge Blogs this month.
A woman way ahead of her time! And how cool for you to have found this!
Dear Mark,
How wonderful! I enjoyed the A to Z by your grandma so wonderful! Thank you for the post. God bless you.
Ruby
Too neat, Mark ;)
"Alas, he is Dead!" <----Love it!
"Some dude called Tolkien" <----Cracking up!
Verrrrry fun. :D
Hey that is great, love #1, I'm from Amsterdam NY, what a lovely memory, and D is pretty funny. I shared one of my gram's poems in a post once, I hope they are happy to know people are reading their wonderful words.
This is so touching and I feel certain that your Oma helped you find this in time for the blogging challenge. So you know she is looking down and proud of what you have become and that your are passing you passion for books on to your own children.
D was very funny.
So sweet! Your grandma sounds like an awesome person!
This is awesome. A little piece of family history.
Wow, what a lovely story you have in her! What an inspiration to you.
Totally amazing! Bless Oma. She must have been something. How cool to find such a treasure!
Thank you for sharing this! : )
Hi Mark! I was thinking your name was Dutch and it seems it is. Thank you for sharing these precious things with us.
Also thank you for visiting and throwing bouquets at the lovely Sarah. She is awesome.
Denise
Olma sounds like she was an amazing grandma! I have some great memories with both of mine, I love watching my kids have special moments with their grandmas :) Thanks for sharing!!
What a lovely treasure you have. I can just hear your Oman reciting her A-Z in a strong Dutch accent. I love R for Rust LOL
How sweet. I have a package of my grandmother's poetry. It's the best inheritance ever!
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