Konraad Aloysius van Gemert en Minah
All my life never a day went by without me wondering who I really am. I mean, of course I know exactly who I am, but it felt like there was something missing. The story wasn’t wrapped up the way it should be. I needed to fill in those missing links…
Not until my 33 years of age, I have found the reason of my existence. Linking the missing links..
There they are my very own Great Grandparents, Koenraad Alloysius van Gemert was born in Nord Brabant, Holland. He was a journalist of the Dely Krant. The same occupation that brought him to Sumatra- Indonesia a very long times ago. Where then he married Minah (a native residence) and became parents of my Grandpa Jan van Gemert. I must admit, this is beyond my expectation, way over my imagination…to finally know them, the very part of me. The joy was enormous until I found out the truth on how he past away. He was arrested and held captive by Japanese soldier, and got executed as the result of his friend betrayal. And until today I have no idea how to react to this… This just too much to handle for me… I did developed some unexplained talents, which I know now where did all those came from… He was buried along with other victims in Ambarawa mass burial, until this day…
Jan van Gemert en Beatrice Eleonoor Kops
And then, there are my GrandParent’s… Opa, Jan van Gemert was an only child of Koenraad Alloysius van Gemert and Minah. Was born and raised in Medan, Sumatra. At his youth he was a KNIL soldier during Dutch occupation in Indonesia and also been held captured by Japanese. Soon after the Independence day, while most of Dutch citizens went back to their country home my Grandpa decided to stay. He spent the rest of his active years serving at Perusahaan Kereta Api Indonesia. He once said, I was born Indonesian and wanted to die as an Indonesian. My Dad is named after his. He died on his sleep in 1967 and now rest in peace at Pandu Cemetery, Bandung. He was a brave and strong minded men, I never had a chance to know him but his legacy are more than enough to show what a wonderful father he was…
Oma, Beatrice Eleonoor Kops is half Indonesian and half Dutch/Denmark. She was born and raised in Jepara, East of Java. She married my Grandpa and has 8 children, all Indonesian born and raised. She has always been my role model in life, for she is an exceptional wife and an outstanding mother. While as a Grandma and Mother in law, believe me she is just almost impossible to beat.
She went back to the Netherland in 1976. She is now 89 years old and remain there with her youngest daughter. She just lost her eldest daughter this year and just couldn’t live with the fact she never sees her for the very last moment. Until one night she dreamed of her late daughter visits, kneel before her and asked for a last prayer. She is now letting go…
Mum and Dad
Now here comes the main role of my creations, obviously Mum and Dad.
Dad, Jan Theodorus van Gemert is just a regular guy but an extraordinary Husband and Dad…The kind of gentlemen whom speak and act of full respect over woman and children, but at the same time tough when it comes to defend his rights and the people he loves…A true Gentlemen in my standard
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Mum, Khoe Joek Sioe is the first Chinese born Indonesian of her generation. Her father, Khoe Hen Tjhong was an immigrant from China (research needed on him as well..)
So there they are, my ancestors…the Root of my Existence.
