Our parents, Pieter Van Wijngaarden and Nellie (Van Emmerik), came to America in 1949 aboard a large ship with their young son, Casey, who was only two years old. Upon their arrival to America the spelling of their last name was changed to Van Wyngaarden (I'm not sure why but will do some research on it and let you know later). Think how brave you would have to be to leave your home to start a brand new life. Pieter, Nellie, and Casey followed Nellie's father and mother (Paulas Arie Van Emmerik and Jannegie Wilhelmina (Kuiters) who came to America a year earlier to pave the way for their daughter and family to follow. I can only imagine how hard it would have been to leave all their personal belongings behind not to mention family and friends to start this new life. When coming to America Pieter had to say good-bye to his parents a brother, two sisters and many other friends. I am sure many, many tears flowed as the ship left the dock. What passion and drive they must have possessed to make that huge decision without knowing what the future would bring. To take their family to a new world where they didn't speak the language, have jobs, or friends all for the dream and hope that they would have a better life than the one they left behind.
My parents along with my Grandparents were true pioneers of their day, my family traveled over the ocean to start their new life here in America. I will forever be thankful to them for making this huge sacrifice to allow us, their children, to grow up in a land of freedom and riches beyond their wildest dreams. Thank you Opa, Oma, Dad, and Mom for giving us a wonde
rful life!
No comments:
Post a Comment