de Burger-Fex

Erna de Burger-Fex reflects on her mother's life

Erna de Burger-Fex recalls the days before indoor plumbing

Are there flowers more welcome than tulips in spring? These glorious flowers are filled with the hope and promise of wonderful things to come. That alone is why I love them.

Once again, I could hear my mother crying in the night. I jammed the pillow over my head to drown out that awful sound. My own tears kept falling as well.

The war was nearly over, especially in the southern province of Zeeland, in Holland where we lived. Hospital beds had been reserved for wounded soldiers until now.

On a dark December night in 1952, there was a knock on our door. Since we lived literally two miles from our nearest neighbor, we were all somewhat apprehensive. My father answered the door and there stood Father Regan and two other men.

Having been born in a country liberated by Canadian and Polish soldiers, my love and respect for veterans has always been an essential part of me. I was very young, so I remember little of the war waged in the area where I lived.

A bad hair day? Don’t despair – just get yourself to your trusted hair stylist. She will give you numerous choices of solutions. I promise! Hair, whether it drives you crazy or you love it, you have to deal with it every day.

I have heard so many people express the opinion that teaching is an easy job, given all the holidays. Sharing some memories of my teaching career may give you a different perspective.

Oh, how we longed for summer during the relentless cold winter we have endured. Statistically, February was the coldest February on record. Stats don’t lie. So now summer is here. Hurray! Well, maybe not ...