Aunt Joke tells..

Aunt Joke tells.. Joke, a funny and optimistic 71-year-old widow from Breda, was always there for everyone, despite the fact that she became ill at the age of 32 and had to stop working. She used to be busy day in and day out volunteering or babysitting lots of kids in the neighborhood. Now that she can no longer do this and needs help herself, she has to admit that she feels very lonely. This is her story: When I was 32, after having two hernias, I severely damaged my spinal cord. I was not allowed to work anymore. But sit at home all day as a 32-year-old, of course you don't! I went back to school for a while and my parents were bewildered. I wasn't much of a student before. You were looked at crazy in my time if you went to the Mulo or HTS, that was just not the case in my area. Today it is a Juppiebuurt, but that used to be different. Sometimes I would walk to school like a kind of mother goose with 16 children around me. After this, I slowly rolled into my role as 'Aunt Joke'. I have looked after children my entire adult life. Those were children who came to me from birth until they went to high school. Sometimes as many as 8 children came at once! And they also brought friends with them… Then I sometimes walked to school like a kind of mother goose with 16 children around me. Can you see that already? I had a couple of cribs upstairs for the babies and my garden was one big play paradise. We had a pool that was divided into a pool a few inches deep that I could sit in, and a section for the older kids with a slide. We also had a swing and a sandbox. The more children I had inside, the less bothered by my complaints. I babysat for free, just because I liked it. They were all children of family and friends. The mothers went to work and then they were allowed to come and do crafts or draw with me. I could keep them busy for days at a time. But at a certain point it was no longer allowed due to all kinds of security measures… I really miss it a lot. That was 15 years ago... how fast things go, huh? Since then I have done a lot of volunteer work. For the Zonnebloem, for example, I went to people who were lonely. I hoisted a lady who had ALS into my car every Wednesday afternoon and then we packed her wheelchair and went shopping together. Just try on some clothes and see how it looked. There was also another lady I went to. Then I thought: 'What a shame if you are left behind like this.. your husband dead, no friends or acquaintances and very lonely. I hope that never happens to me.' Funny how something like this can happen. I was always a rather fanatical volunteer: during Sinterklaas I arranged for Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet to come by and I brought a butter letter. At Christmas I came with a Christmas stollen and something for under the tree. So I've been there for different people. I also did volunteer work at the church, to make and distribute coffee on Sundays, for example. Nowadays I can't physically do much anymore. I still drive around in my tiny car (an automatic), a roof with four wheels that moves. So I can still do my own shopping :). But I can only walk minimal distances and nowadays often visit the hospital. It's always something for me. If I don't have one, it's something else. It's like multiple choice! Haha always prize! Furthermore, my husband passed away and I rarely or never see my son, I estimate about 4 times a year. I haven't seen my grandson in a while. I also have a nice neighbor, but unfortunately she is moving. Oh, before I forget: I live with my two sweet cats: Mayflower and Sunshine and I love to read. All in all I have to admit that I am very lonely. I would really love to find a terrace with someone and just people watch. At the forest, for example, enjoy the fresh air. I know a few places where I can drive us with my car. I can also help other people socially. So if you're looking for some company, I'd love to meet you! Or maybe we can watch TV together in the winter, a nice detective film, or play a game of football especially for the gentlemen ;). -- Joke has now been to the terrace in the summer and she has already walked a few times through the woods with her new buddy Anne. Share these stories and inspire others to help too! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Whatsapp Forward

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