Hendrika (Riek) Theodora Blok - Van Straaten
April 13, 1923 - December 19, 2011


At the end of your journey
you will pause, turn around, and look back

You gaze at the people who stay behind
The children you raised, you cared for, you loved so dearly

You think of all the miles you traveled
The stops, the U-turns, the potholes in the road

You will smile at the memories of laughter, feel sad about the tears that were shed
The pain you endured
The frustration of dealing with stubborn teenagers, who were themselves trying so hard to find their own roads to travel
Your heart breaking when those roads took them far away from you
The joy of realizing that eventually the all came back to the main road

The way your heart overflowed with love and wonder, as you held your very first grandchild in your arms.
The joy of watching many more grandchildren and their children coming along.

You will glow thinking of the love of your life
How you managed to hold on to his hand until it was time for him to end his own journey.

You know that your life was beautiful, you were loved by all of us.

You can turn now knowing that love will sustain us forever.

So go, dearest Mama, go finish your journey.

Step over the threshold of Heaven, grab the hand of your love

and rest in peace forever.

Thank you for everything