5.12.44  (Sinterklaas)

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The children, especially Fons, have been busy for weeks cleaning and scrubbing sugar beets and carrots, putting them in their wooden shoes behind the stove, together with notes on which they have written their wishes for Sinterklaas. They even added drawings to their wooden shoes. The Sinterklaas songs are sung every day. The ardently expected St. Nicolaas and Zwarte Piet are finally appear. They had an extremely dangerous journey on their way from Spain to Holland traveling through all the occupied countries. Weariless, they did their best to make the celebration a memorable one. St. Nicolaas and Zwarte Piet brought many gifts for the children, shy and retiring, who sang the traditional songs and recited poetry. Marga de Vries and Pieter Erik Engwirda were also present. But St. Nicolaas did not overlook the grown-ups either. On the contrary, he was most generous. Among others, he had prepared presents for both our parish curates would have something to smoke, both in their pipes and their stove, with tobacco and firewood coupons. The Faessens were richly remembered. Oom Gerard received an artistic tobacco jar—the first piece of the trousseau  for his new home, Tante Edith received nice quality stockings, and Fietje a beautiful locket. Tante Jo had been baking, enough said. Oom Jan burglarized in his hiding place for pre-war cigars and liquor and Oom Faessen was presented with a package of excellent tobacco.

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Christmas 1944

These were glorious and sober minded Holidays.

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An atmosphere of peace. Tante Marie and her friend, came as houseguests. Late in the evening Willy had prepared the breakfast table in artistic manner, using whatever was available for decoration to capture the beautiful spirit of the feast.

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In order for us to be able to attend the Midnight Mass, Oom Jan had organized seats for us in the sanctuary of the church. It was the fifth Midnight Mass of the war. For that reason alone it was very touching and uplifting. Seldom have supplications from the hearts of people been offered up in a more fervent manner. Has the Gloria ever be sung with more earnestness and consciousness as this night from the lips of the well-tried, bereaved and fearfully waiting victims of war.  Back home after the Midnight Mass warmth streamed out to meet us from the stove, but especially from the hearts of our dear friends. Tante Jo had prepared a festive meal that showed no sign of the deprivation of these holy days. For this purpose, Wim’s well-fed rabbit was slain as our main course.

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On the first Christmas Day, the “Corps Declamatiek“ of Bovenkarspel came by, heightening the Christmas spirit with poetry and caroles.  The program of festivities you will enclosed with this diary. In the evening we sang caroles in front of the manger with the children. In short, it was a wonderful celebration in the true sense of the word.

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New Year’s Eve 1944

A day of earnestness and particular gratitude.

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Present as guests from Occupied Territory: Dr. and Mrs. Engwirda and Ms. Borst; From the Allies, King Lear of England, introduced by Leo; And as representatives of the Colonies, Saîdjah en Adinda from Java, introduced by Jaap. Tante Jo baked apple dumplings. Even the Germans were generous: there was electricity all night long.

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It turns out to be a very exciting night. Following a German order that every man aged of sixteen to forty must report for Arbeitsdienst, the events of this evening are the reaction. The local population register has been “stolen!“  A difficult and very dangerous theft, especially now that the Germans had ordered that the citizen registries were to be guarded. What reprisals can we expect?