Sylvia's Journal

The party of Reinout is over in more than one way. A swift train ride took us to the airport and I am now in a place that is beginning to feel like my second home, Schiphol airport. The train ride on the second floor of the train allowed us to see the Dutch landscape, on another 10+ day, slide by in all its glory. It does make me a bit nostalgic. When I lived here I did not appreciate the beauty of my own country. I found it boring because it was flat. Bicyclists got onto the train with their bicycles. I wished we could join them, although going back home has its own appeal.

All 150 people invited to Reinout’s party showed up; there were few I knew other than direct family and one person who I had last seen about 45 years ago.

There were a few songs, a long, rambling and wonderful speech by my Irish twin brother Willem who gave Reinout a contraption made by one of his patients in the far east corner of Holland. It is called a shoe-saver and is constructed to help older gentlemen avoid the post-pee dribble that can mess up nice shoes. Axel and I see a business opportunity that would start with advertisements in the retired persons magazine. When not peeing, the gentleman can use the contraption as a walking stick. We also see an application for women.