Nes in Holland to visit Dykstra Family

I absolutely had to share these photos from Nes and Kollum. We first went to visit Opa Dykstra's (Wayne's grandfather) sister, Tante Anna (pronounced Tawn-tuh). She has a lovely home and served us the most delicious, mind-blowing pastries followed by homemade Dutch soup and the freshest most delectable buns we had ever had. Tante Anna knew how to show us the best of Friesland's cuisine. She was so lovely and was the most loving host.  

Then on we went to Nes (where Opa Dykstra grew up and where his brother's wives still live. His brothers have all, passed away as well). On this day, we met Tante Anna, who then took us to meet Tante Triene and Tante Jantje (sp?). These last two are sisters (both in their 80s), who are widowed sisters of two brothers! (Two of Opa Dykstra's brothers). And they live 3 houses apart in the tiniest little town you ever did see. There are only 3 blocks, by 4 blocks and everyone, knows....everyone. There is no bank in Nes, no grocery store, no post office. In fact, I'd say it barely qualifies as a town. It's more like 40 houses who happened to be grouped on a grid of streets, with two churches amongst them. Even the churches are so empty that they have to drive to a different town every other week for their church service. Each house is just immaculately manicured and beautiful.

At Tante Anna's home.

I see Opa Dykstra so strongly in his sister.

It's all in Dutch Wayne....

And then the drive to Nes to meet Tante Jantje

Tante Jantje cried when she saw Rick - her nephew.

Pretty amazing this woman is in her 80s huh?? She is so healthy and seems so young.

In every Dutch home we visited, they have these needlepoint pieces framed. They're incredible when you look at them up close. And always made by a family member.  

 This one was incredible and this was from Tante Jantje's daughter, I believe (perhaps a sister?). Anyway, each part is created when they reach a milestone - almost like a charm bracelet - there are symbols for each stage - Marriage, career, buying a home, children's births, etc.

Tante Jantje's brother, whom she lost in the war.

 Tante Jantje and her sisters

Tante Jantje showing off a picture of grandchildren, on her iPad, mind you. Both Tante Triene and Tante Jantje don't speak any English - a word or two but not enough to communicate. Thankfully we had Tante Anna there who is fluent in English, and Wilma who has enough Dutch to fill in the blanks.

 Walking three doors down, to her sisters home.

 Tante Anna on Right. Tante Triene on Left.

Rick, with his two Aunts and Wilma

In Nes (the very small town), I peeked into this garage down the road and saw this awesome Bus/Truck - "The Wanderer".

Tante Anna took us through the cemetery in Nes where nearly half of all gravestones are Dykstras (then another third are DeVries' - another last name in Wayne's extended family).

This was a distant cousin of Wayne's, who died very young.

Mostly, in The Netherlands, Dykstra, is/was spelled Dijsktra. (Deekstra)

On the wall in Tante Triene's home.

This is Tante Triene's entire kitchen. There is no other side - this is all cupboards, and all counter-space. She has been 60 years and raised her family here (and the house is spotless, not a speck of dust even). I would eat off the bathroom floor in any of these houses and you know what a germo-phobe I am. And do you think they ever hired house cleaners? No. We could all learn a lot from the Dutch way of living.

Opposite the kitchen cupboards is this kitchen table. The other 'very Dutch' thing we saw was that each house had these thick carpets as the table cloths. At first I thought they were actually carpets just set on the table but I think this is their actual intended purpose. 

 

And then directly across the street to the church for a little organ concert from Wayne's Dad.

Directly, across the street.

A private concert: Rick playing for his Aunts, wife, son/daughter-in-law and granddaughter. 

Sitting with Pake, while he plays the organ in Nes' tiny church - the church Rick's Father, Opa Dykstra, would've attended his entire childhood. Opa was even baptized in this church as a baby. So Wayne's grandfather, and Norah's great-grandfather sat in this church many a Sunday during the 1930s and 1940s. Just incredible to have her sitting here, listening to her grandfather, (Pake), play the same organ.

I could listen to him all day.

Such lovely women. I am so happy we were able to meet them all. We may not have shared a language but they treated Wayne, myself and Norah with such love and kindness, even after just meeting us. And here, listening to Rick play, we all sat silently together and I watched them wipe away tears listening to him play. I can only imagine what that means for them, to have him all the way from Canada, in the tiny town of Nes, playing in their church where their brother/brother-in-law grew up.  

From the small villages on this side, you walk up the big hill here (the dyke) and then you're looking at the sea.

Our first time up to the dyke - the massive hill that goes for miles and acts as a flood-barrier/breakwater as all the towns are below sea level. The name Dykstra means "of, or by, the Dyke". So, there you have it.

"Dykstras on the Dyke"

Looking down along the dyke.