Embedded Files
Post date: Dec 10, 2013 7:5:34 PM
December 13, 2013
An important friend and inspirator of mine, Wim Lindeijer, has passed away calmly at 22:40 on Friday December 6th 2013. It was one day after Nelson Mandela passed way. Both men were known for reconciliation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Wim,
You had an inspiring life. I am impressed about it and at the same time happy for you and for your three parents. They must be proud of you.
1, You have found reconciliation with Japanese people 55 years after the war through dilogue with them and by asking them forgiveness for hating them before. I find it still moving.
Your speech in Kamaishi Japan in 2000;
"Please forgive me that I hated you. I have learned to respect and love you instead. This I say from the bottom of my heart, and in confirmation of my mother's last precious wish."
Your mother Nel said to you in the Japanese concentration camp in Moentilan, Central Java in july 1945, just before her departure;
"War thrives on hatred. Love is the basis of peace."
As you later said, reconciliation is the only positive way to move forward after a war. But it is still difficult and seldom. Without you I could never understand a deep meaning of it nor know what it can achieve.
We met each other for the first time at the Dialogue conference in 2001, which was just one year after your speech in Kamaishi. Although you didn't know me at all, you kept on telling me enthusiastically how wonderful the people of Kamaishi were during the entire lunch. But you never said anything about the bitter experience of you and your family during- and after the war. Not only at that time but also all the time after I've heard NO bitter words from you and from Adrie. I now realize that that are your act of "respect and love." It took 10 years since then, but indeed two of you taught me to "respect and love" other human without saying so.
2, You brought your father and his diary back to Kamaishi Japan, where his father was once held as a POW during the war, as Adrie once said.
"You brought your father back to Japan! This time not as a humiliated, despised, worthless POW-slave. The title of this book "Kisses to Nel and the children" does say it already: he puts down his concern about the well-being of his wife and 4 small children, his suffering of being cruelly separated from his family, not knowing what happened to them, and, whether he would ever see them again. "
3, You have built special friendship with many Japanese people/ my country men en women, Prof. Muraoka and others in the Netherlands, Mrs. Kato and others in Kamaishi, Mr. Shoji Kurokawa and others in Mizumaki, etc. etc.
4, You have inspired Melinda in US, Ralph in Mizumaki, me, and many others through your activity and message about reconciliation.
I am very thankful that you and your three parents showed me a beautiful and human way of life. You have changed my life.
Now you can reunite with all of your three wonderful parents, with mother Nel after 68 years, with father Wim Senior after 23 years, and with mother Adrie after 2 years. Especially to Nel and Win Senior you can finally explain how her words and his diry helped him. Enjoy your big reunion!
As I promised to Adrie, I keep on thinking what she and you would do, for the rest of my life.
Greetings from my heart, also to Adrie,
Fumi
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse