Oek, the oldest and Gerard her husband, made plans to go to Canada first in 1957.They left soon after they were married. Even though mother supported Oek, she found it very hard to see her go. Father started to find the job of running his milk-route very demanding. There were many new rules he found hard to accept as well. The government decided to give equal opportunities for everyone by telling the milkmen that they could continue their route within certain boundaries. Father had a growing route and found this hard to accept. He also had some problems with his bronchitis, especially in the wintertime. His cousin had offered him a job in his office but this did not appeal to him.

In the meantime Oek wrote glowing letters about Canada and the other siblings showed a lot of interest in following her there. This all became too much for mother and she started to put pressure on father to go as well. Mother missed Oek. She also never liked the store. She always resented the fact that to keep it running her children had to work there. If all of her children went to Canada what would happen to them?

I (Lenie), had started to become romantically involved with Ton. Soon it would be impossible to go and take everyone with them. I was talking of staying in Holland. Ton was confronted at an early stage in the relationship with the fact that if he would get involved with me it would mean that he would have to go to Canada with them. Ton did not see this as a problem at the time and said, " sure I‘ll come if that is the case."

Soon Father agreed about coming to Canada and the plan was put into action

First Riet went. Leo followed shortly after. Then it was Wim who left in 1958. It was now up to the following group, which were Jan, Bep and Helmy. Lenie worked in the store and could not go yet but Ton could? This was a way to be certain that Ton and Lenie would not stay behind. Ton went with the promise that the store would be sold and the rest of the family would follow before the winter. This was July 1959.

It almost did not work because it was not as easy to sell the store as was anticipated. Ton started to write about coming back to Holland if we would not come before the winter of that year. Soon after the store was sold, plans were made for the rest of the family to follow. Many people came to say good-bye. For many especially the brothers and sisters of father and mother, it was hard to say goodbye. Father was 57 and mother 53. Not an easy thing to do at that time of your life. They had a lot of courage and a lot of trust in their children. . On September 1959 the last group sailed on the Grote Beer to Canada.

Told by Lenie.

Below you see a picture of us leaving for Canada.