Here's another post from fellow Trail Traveler, Elsha. A touching account of how campaigns can do more than connect candidates and constituents.
The Separation of States
Never in my wildest dreams would I have ever thought this would happen.
Vicki and I attended the KSRA Convention this past weekend and we were introduced to the NRA’s Past President John Siglar and his wife Ingrid. Finding a person who can speak my native language is one thing, but to find out that she came over the same time I did is amazing.
In June of 1956, my mother and father along with my eight siblings were part of what is known as “volksverhuizing” or mass immigration to the United States, Canada and Australia. My parents left everything behind that was their comfort zone to a place that was to give my family opportunity and freedom.
The S.S. Zuiderkruis was responsible for transporting 9,200 USA immigrants in 1956, each trip delivering approximately 350 persons. The most interesting account I can give begins with my brothers and sisters hanging on the rail, waving goodbye to all our relatives as we left the port of Rotterdam.
The Separation of States
Never in my wildest dreams would I have ever thought this would happen.
Vicki and I attended the KSRA Convention this past weekend and we were introduced to the NRA’s Past President John Siglar and his wife Ingrid. Finding a person who can speak my native language is one thing, but to find out that she came over the same time I did is amazing.
In June of 1956, my mother and father along with my eight siblings were part of what is known as “volksverhuizing” or mass immigration to the United States, Canada and Australia. My parents left everything behind that was their comfort zone to a place that was to give my family opportunity and freedom.
The S.S. Zuiderkruis was responsible for transporting 9,200 USA immigrants in 1956, each trip delivering approximately 350 persons. The most interesting account I can give begins with my brothers and sisters hanging on the rail, waving goodbye to all our relatives as we left the port of Rotterdam.
(L to R) My dad with Paul in front of him, my mom with Alfons in her arms and Joe in front of her, Tina, Harry, Mia, myself and Tony.
I was excited and I knew my mom and dad were in control. I know my parents had feelings of sadness and uncertainty as they watched Rotterdam slowly drift from the horizon. Their old life was no longer. The possibilities of our new life were both endless and unknown.
I know that it had to have been terrifying for my dad. He had faith and his decision was going to be a positive investment for our future. It was not the easiest thing to do, but to my dad, it was the right thing to do. It says a lot about my dad for he had a lot of faith in God.
The Zuiderkruis gave my family a new life and years later it gives me an interesting plotline for this story… Ingrid Sigler was on the same boat, coming over at the same time, and her family shared the same destiny.
Were it not for traveling the Kansas Trail this election season, I may never have met Ingrid and discovered how our paths crossed on that trip across the Atlantic.
And she likes turquoise jewelry, too!
(Side note - Vicki took this photo and apologizes for the closed eyes!)
Elsha, that is so amazing!
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