Some new readers might wonder about my nickname, I got so many questions about that in the past I wrote a post about it, a long time ago.
I’ll blow the dust off of that one and post it again …
You see, there is a story to that name, it IS a name that really means a lot to me.
It all started in the early eighties, when I had just moved to Antwerp to start a new life with the love of my life. We had both been married before, still going through a divorce and my mother-in-law refused to accept her son's choice. Months passed by before she finally put aside stubbornness and prejudice and agreed to come visit us.
I was going to meet them for the first time and that really made me pretty nervous.
As soon as I heard the doorbell I got shaky knees and moist, sweaty hand palms.
All I wanted was to just disappear off the face of the earth, .... become very small and invisible .... hide in a flowerpot, or in a teacup for that matter, .... whatever,
anything to save me from this moment I dreaded and wanted at the same time.
Of course I desperately wanted to meet them, but at the same time I was really very very scared to get hurt again. We had been through a lot at that point.
My father-in-law stepped into the living room with his arms wide open,
welcoming me with a real BIG HUG, stealing my heart right there and then.
As he approached me he nicknamed me ... Jientje.
Sadly enough, a few years later he died, and that nickname almost died with him.
My mother in law turned her back against us again and hardly anybody called me Jientje anymore.
When I started blogging I had to choose a nickname, and that was when I decided I would call myself Jientje again.
My nickname Jientje tells the story of being accepted for who and what I am ...
About Me
- Jientje
- Antwerp, Belgium
- Welcome to the new, and improved version of Heaven in Belgium. I am Jientje. "Jientje", like the boys name Gene, followed by "chu"? "Gene-chu", that's how you pronounce my name. Yes!!!!That's it!! So now you know huh? I am an addicted blogger. I was born and raised and am still living in Belgium. Yeah, the "this-is- Tuesday-so-this-must-be-Brussels" kind of Belgium .. There, you see? Maybe you couldn't find it on the map, but at least I'm trying to change that a little by sharing lots of pictures. I really love to cook and create new things, like this blog for instance. I am a mother,a grandmothe and a wife too! They say I'm a traveler, and a photographer. Well that's just what they say, I love to make pictures, but I am far from professional ... If my English is not perfect, that would be because it's my second language. I do hope you'll forgive me any possible misspellings or strange vocabulary ... Now, as a result of all of the above, I get way too little sleep and my days are always much too short!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
My nickname Jientje
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
23 comments:
And you are, if nothing else, accepted. Welcomed. And loved by many.
that is so sweet, I hope you dust off the post. I'd like to read it.
Why did you father-in-law call you Jientje? What is the meaning of your nickname? I've been stuck with a nickname all my life, and I wish that my parents had called me by my first name
I hope the mother-in-law relationship has since improved Jientje...
What a sweet story. Does the name have a particular meaning? I'm sorry about your mother-in-law. Maybe time will turn her around.
I can't imagine anyone not liking you- this is a good story about being accepted for who and what you are and how much it means when people do accept you for those truths.
Are you having a fun tour??? I am sad to say, I probably cannot come to Chicago- we are so busy over here visiting colleges w/my daughter. The house is upside down with my son moving to his own place and my other son is coming home from California soon- I have so much to do to get ready for family coming over to see him etc.
Much love!
It is HER loss, Jientje....bitter people have tiny hearts.
What does the nickname mean in English?
It is definitely different and cute.
Lovely story Jientje, your mother-in-law is losing out on a great family.
*hugs*
see you for Blogblast?
I remember hearing about your nickname but it absolutely bears repeating - wear it well my friend, head held high.
You have a wonderful nickname Jientje, it is your Mother in Law that is losing out.
I didn't know that was a nickname. I thought I had the best one for ya LOL. What a wonderful post my friend :) See ya tomorrow. I'm excited :)
What a sweet story. Thanks for blowing the dust off and sharing again.
I am speechless and moved.
That's new for me. I would have thought it was related to Bientje and Lientje.
I bet your nick name is very musical when spoken by you or anyone else for that matter. I had always wished that my mother had given me a Dutch name because I am Dutch! but they knew they were moving to the states and she insisted on an "American" name. Since...I have been called a lot of names! hehehe will you ever share your birth name? Looks like you are having a wonderful holiday!
Your last sentence made this post very powerful, Jientje. You are a wonderful person, and it is really the lose of others if they can't see it through.
Thanks for telling us newcomers about your name. What a story. It's both painful and beautiful.
How very sweet of your father-in-law! No wonder you remember him - and the name he gave you - with such affection. I'd like to know what it means, too!
Stupid prejudiced mother-in-law. I wonder why she was so set against you. Was she still hoping that wife No. 1 would be restored to her bosom?
wonderful story.
paz
I just read this as I am new to your blog. I had to comment.
My second husband's mother detested me. She never accepted our love, our happiness or our marriage. On my wedding day she told me I would never be a true member of the family because I would never give my husband a son!
I tried to become at least her friend, but she did not reply.
One day I asked for a recipe for one of my husbands favorite meals. "I only give that to members of my family" she said with such bitterness.
Well a year and a half later she was killed in an accident. I had to pick out her burial clothes, I made all the arrangements with my husband for her service and I sat through the wake.
Then I cleaned out her house, and I found all her recipes.
Hate, bitterness and unkind words are truly rotten. Life is too short!
I found you through Melli!
Lovely name for a lovely person!!!! I love your nickname and everyone is right....... you may love her on your terms and if she can't accepted that then it is definitely her loss!
I am so glad you have such a beautiful nickname with a good memory of your father in law.
Hugs,
Margaret B
I didn't know the story behind the name, it is a great one! One to keep close to your heart for sure!
This paragraph is rewally a good one it helps neww internet users, who are wishing iin
favfor of blogging.
Feel free to surf to my weblog: survey bypasser
Post a Comment