Dutch and German Immigrants The Prins Family - Pier 21

That my Oma wasn’t Opa’s first wife I only learned later on the farm inAalsmeer where his full sister Aal lived. When I was old enough to gothere by myself, I spent many summers on that farm! Oma didn’t belongto any church and had some “uppity” notions that didn’t sit too well withOpa’s family. All of his family were, staunch church- goers.She loved to read a certain series of Harlequin romances, describing thelives and adventures of the so-called upper class. She used to taketheses stories quite seriously and said “These people live in a swamp ofimmortality”. Oma also had some particular sayings. For example, onSundays she arranged a brunch style buffet and called this a walkingsandwich or a sandwich out of the hand. Oma wasn’t one of myfavourite persons but Opa I really liked. I might as well because I seemto look a bit like him and share some of his sense of quick wit.On Sunday s in the late afternoon Opa used to listen to a radio-playcalled “Oom Keessie” (Uncle Casey). One time, Opa thought that the oldguy was pretty smart when he attached a full can of paint with a smallhole in the bottom to a car he wanted to follow.Oma Boon, Oma’s mother, used to live upstairs in the front room of theirhouse. I was scared of her because she was always dressed in black andnever smiled. I stayed out of her way whenever possible.Of course my parents divorce affected me greatly, consciously andunconsciously I imagine. A few things stand out in my mind I see mydad and my mother talking in the living room. He is sitting on a chairand she is cleaning the floor. He is crying and asks her if she wants tostay together, but she says she doesn’t want to (she was already involvedwither her future 2nd husband). Another time my dad and Opa JacobPrins (after who I am named) were in the living room discussingsomething. I suppose it was the upcoming divorce. This was the firsttime I ever saw Opa Prins at our house. A pile of, clean dishes were onthe living room table and my dad used the top plate as an ashtray.Before the divorce, my parents and I visited the farm in Aalsmeer whereAunt Aal and Uncle Willem lived. Aunt Aal was Opa Sohl’s sister andconsequently my mother’s Aunt, but after the divorce she, Aunt Aal,never talked to my mother again! This first visit to the farm was followedby many more over the years and the “polder” has had an importantinfluence upon my life.1936-1941Family Prins