we headed to Dundas for the funeral of my step mom's father.
the obituary in the 'Hamilton Spectator':
Jacob HAMSTRA
HAMSTRA, Jacob Veenwouden, Netherlands, July 14, 1924 Hamilton, February 18, 2014 In joyful assurance of his faith, resting on the promises of his Saviour, our beloved husband, father, grand and great-grandfather entered into the glory of the Lord. Irreplaceable in our lives, we are comforted by the knowledge that Jesus Christ is not only his Saviour but will be for all who trust Him, throughout their generations. Sadly missed by his wife of nearly 67 years, Grace Hamstra (nee Zylstra), and his children and their families; son Jerry and Trudy Hamstra; Alison and Mark Pennings (Andrea, Daniel, Nathan), Michael and Lynda Hamstra (Jaden, Mariah, Chad, Chase, Preston, Deyonna), Joel and Rachel Hamstra (Connor, Meaghan, Ashleigh, Sean, Ryan), daughter Sylvia and Carl Schouls, Debbi and Bill Sluys (Samuel, Leah, Hannah, Reuben), Brenda and Wayne Otten (Eryn, Danielle, Veronica, Levi, Jordyn), daughter Audrey and Albert Wassink, Albert and Meghan Wassink, Jacqueline and Andrew De Graaf (Zoe, Jenna), David and Alison Wassink (Natalie, Tyler, Jocelyn, Miller), Sylvia and Brad Pennings (Adira, Sadie, Myla, Noelle), Aron and Candice Wassink (Madison), Kevin Wassink, daughter Elizabeth and George Bouwmeester (Amanda, Nick), daughter Kathleen and Ray Pennings (Christopher). Friends will be received by the family on Thursday afternoon and evening 2-4 p.m and 7-9 p.m. at the Cattel, Eaton & Chambers Funeral Home, 53 Main Street, Dundas. Funeral Friday morning at 10 o'clock at EBENEZER FREE REFORMED CHURCH, Weir's Lane, Dundas. Interment Mt. Zion Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy to Word & Deed Ministries, P.O. Box 20100, St. Thomas, ON N5P 4H4 or Rehoboth Christian School (Copetown) would be appreciated by the family. Special thanks to the staff at St. Joseph's Hospital, Complex Care, 5th floor, for their care and compassion.
i met mr. Hamstra 5 years ago, when his oldest daughter married my dad.
my family right away had a connection with mr. & mrs Hamstra as they were very loving and accepted us into their family.
and since we loved sylvia so much it was easy to love her parents too!
they would often come over to my dad & sylvia's place when we were there too, and we got to know them....their sense of humor, their love of family, their great love for each other and their beautiful example of their godly walk & trust in God.
as my sister said today, they were like a pair of doves, always with each other...for almost 67 years!
now, one has been taken home to glory, while the other remains mourning her love, we trust that God will carry her in the difficult days to come.
i struggled with my feelings and emotions today.
i saw my name cited with the rest of the family in the obit.
it felt oddly strange.
i 'know' that we are part of the family, but since we've never really taken part of the family 'get togethers', i guess i just felt like i wasn't deserving of the honour of sharing the mourning of their dear husband, father & grandfather.
i questioned my feelings today.
did i have the right to mourn him... because i didn't know him like they do?
i guess, i wished i knew him like they did.
i did, however, have an understanding of the impact he had made on all those he touched throughout his life.
i know he holds a special place for so many!
(please don't misunderstand, these are just my feelings...)
i do hurt for them in their sorrow. i see the grief stricken faces and it brings me back to a time where i felt i couldn't breathe because the pain was so raw & cut so deep.
only 7 yrs ago i said 'good bye' to my dear mother, so i can relate to the family's pain and the missing him that they will experience in the coming weeks, months & years.
the Hamstra family is beautiful, vibrant with hearts full of love & generosity, and now has been wounded as the patriarch has been called home. they will heal and life leaves scars, but Christ in His mercy & love never leaves us to figure it out on our own! we can lean on Him when we have no strength to walk the difficult road laid out before us. He will carry us through the darkest night to experience His mercies new each morning.
this is my prayer for mrs. Hamstra, her children & grandchildren, there is hope in the resurrection.
today at his funeral he wanted Christ preached, it wasn't to be about his own accomplishments or failures but what Christ freely offers to the needy sinner!
Isaiah 55:1
"Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters;
and he who has no money, come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
~esv
till we meet again in glory,
now, one has been taken home to glory, while the other remains mourning her love, we trust that God will carry her in the difficult days to come.
i struggled with my feelings and emotions today.
i saw my name cited with the rest of the family in the obit.
it felt oddly strange.
i 'know' that we are part of the family, but since we've never really taken part of the family 'get togethers', i guess i just felt like i wasn't deserving of the honour of sharing the mourning of their dear husband, father & grandfather.
i questioned my feelings today.
did i have the right to mourn him... because i didn't know him like they do?
i guess, i wished i knew him like they did.
i did, however, have an understanding of the impact he had made on all those he touched throughout his life.
i know he holds a special place for so many!
(please don't misunderstand, these are just my feelings...)
i do hurt for them in their sorrow. i see the grief stricken faces and it brings me back to a time where i felt i couldn't breathe because the pain was so raw & cut so deep.
only 7 yrs ago i said 'good bye' to my dear mother, so i can relate to the family's pain and the missing him that they will experience in the coming weeks, months & years.
the Hamstra family is beautiful, vibrant with hearts full of love & generosity, and now has been wounded as the patriarch has been called home. they will heal and life leaves scars, but Christ in His mercy & love never leaves us to figure it out on our own! we can lean on Him when we have no strength to walk the difficult road laid out before us. He will carry us through the darkest night to experience His mercies new each morning.
this is my prayer for mrs. Hamstra, her children & grandchildren, there is hope in the resurrection.
today at his funeral he wanted Christ preached, it wasn't to be about his own accomplishments or failures but what Christ freely offers to the needy sinner!
Isaiah 55:1
"Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters;
and he who has no money, come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
~esv
till we meet again in glory,
It is not death to die
To leave this weary road
And join the saints who dwell on high
Who've found their home with God
It is not death to close
The eyes long dimmed by tears
And wake in joy before Your throne
Delivered from our fears
O Jesus, conquering the grave
Your precious blood has power to save
Those who trust in You
Will in Your mercy find
That it is not death to die
It is not death to die
Aside this earthly dust
And rise with strong noble wing
To live among the just
It is not death to hear
The key unlock the door
That sets us free from mortal years
To praise You evermore
O Jesus, conquering the grave
Your precious blood has power to save
Those who trust in You
Will in Your mercy find
That it is not death to die
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