On 8 April, 1921, using a postcard from Pres des Ponts couverts in Strasbourg, Julia writes to her grandmother the Widow Elisa Maria (Verburgh) Loontjens at 19 Place du Marais in Ghent, Belgium. Julia's mother, Elisa was widowed in 1900. Elisa died in 1927. Julia writes: "Dear Grandmother. Your grandchildren are very happy and until now, they have had a nice trip. We have already driven through tunnels, but luckily, openings were provided. (?)... on both ends, as Mariette says. Receive dear Grandmother, the affectionate well intended kisses from Gaiton and from Julia." * Thank you to Sofie, who volunteered to translate this card. And thank you to Timo Van Havere, who added (in the comment below) the translation: "... luckily, openings were pierced on both ends on both ends, as Mariette says" . Yes, Timo, a very delightful way to describe a tunnel! Julia is a niece of Maria Kamiel (Loontjens) Van de Vyvere and a cousin of Jeanine.
Comments
A very sad card!
'My dear friend,
My heart is with you at this difficult time. I ask [?] the sky that it saves you this mourning if your good grandmother has not completed her trek and if she is useful to you, but perhaps the good God wants her to participate in His great Hossanna. So, dear friend, you have to say Fiat, bow and think that you will have two mothers who will protect you from heaven above. They will help you, I am sure, to deal with [I can't read the last two words].
Very affectionately
Genevieve'
Luce's grandmothers would be Elisa Maria VERBURGH or Justina DESTOOP* (Aarsele, 10 November 1828 - Tielt, 5 December 1890). Because Luce wasn't born until 1896, these words from Genevieve must be about "Grandma Verburgh", who we believe died in 1927, when Luce would be 31.
Thank you for translating, Timo!
*Thank you, Timo, for adding to the family tree!