July 1 1912

July first 1912 was the birthday of my father's eldest sister Gabrielle. She has been a big help in the early fifties when my mother was handicapped by illness and my father had to do his job and to take care of his family all by himself, which he did with great love and total self-denial.

Tante Gaby came over very often to help us out with that big heart of hers. Fortunately she was not the only one to help. My baby sister spent a short time in the family of one of my father's colleagues, and then - for over a year - was lovingly cared for in Okegem by Tante Jeanne and nonkel Geen, who had two children of their own to care for. And then there was Lotje, our vis-à-vis neighbour, who was always available in a crisis, who helped to clean and cook and who already had a paralysed daughter to care for at home.

Of all these good Samaritans, only tante Jeanne survives. My eternal gratitude goes to them all.