I can’t help thinking back to the first time we met Chris. It was September 2011. Karl and I were visiting Sarah and Thomas in Den Haag where they were living at the time. We didn’t know much about Chris except Sarah had really taken to him and he had been battling cancer. One evening during our stay, Chris, Saskia and Lou came to the apartment for dinner. Expecting Chris to perhaps be somewhat frail from dealing with the trials of his illness we were presented with a man who was anything but; instead, a gregarious, affable and wildly entertaining man entered our world that evening. It was impossible not to immediately take to him. During the evening with the Sprangers family we enjoyed lively conversation with much laughter (as well as much wine) making it one of those experiences that is so enjoyable you don’t want it to end.
Since that delightful evening, there have been other wonderful opportunities to spend time with Chris. Each occasion has left us feeling the same; uplifted, energized and looking forward to the next time. The last time I was able to see Chris and the family was October of 2016 when I was visiting Sarah and Thomas on my own in Amsterdam. Chris had been having a hard uphill battle with his illness; spending much of his time resting. I was worried he wouldn’t be well enough for a visit. When Sarah had been speaking with Saskia who said it would be OK to come to the house, I was ecstatic. Sarah and I took the train to Haarlem where we were meeting Thomas, expecting Saskia would pick us all up from the station. However, as we exited the station, there was Chris! He had driven himself to collect us from the station which must have been an enormous feat of strength for him. I will never forget the image of him standing there smiling, animated and dressed ever so smartly sporting these fabulous red shoes. As with our previous times getting together there was a free flow of conversation, a lot of laughs and the usual delicious food prepared by Saskia along with liberal quantities of wine. And just like other times, I was reluctant for our visit to end. There was one last surprise; Chris insisted driving the three of us back to Amsterdam. During the entire time from arriving in Haarlem to being delivered back to Amsterdam there was no hint of how Chris must have been feeling. That is the kind of person he was.
Compared to many who are mourning the loss of Chris, we have known him for only a short time, although it feels as though we have known him for a lifetime. This is what we believe to be true about Chris.
Chris lived a life of curiosity; always learning and trying new things.
Chris wasn’t afraid to go down the roads less travelled or go against the grain, which may have got him into trouble from time to time.
Chris enjoyed his creature comforts but was happy with the simpler things in life; spending time with family and friends, good conversation, reading and listening to music and well placed humour.
Chris loved his garden, good wine, and good food, adding to Saskia’s mastery in the kitchen with his own.
Most of all, Chris loved his family and I sense that through his illness, became even closer to them all.
The last few months have been a challenge for Chris. As he always had, he fought bravely, squeezing the most he could out of his last days. I like to think of him as he was at the train station in Haarlem, wearing those fabulous red shoes that to me, symbolized his strength of spirit and love of life. Chris’s body may have left its earthly home but his spirit lives on in the hearts of those who love him.
I can’t help thinking back to the first time we met Chris. It was September 2011. Karl and I were visiting Sarah and Thomas in Den Haag where they were living at the time. We didn’t know much about Chris except Sarah had really taken to him and he had been battling cancer. One evening during our stay, Chris, Saskia and Lou came to the apartment for dinner. Expecting Chris to perhaps be somewhat frail from dealing with the trials of his illness we were presented with a man who was anything but; instead, a gregarious, affable and wildly entertaining man entered our world that evening. It was impossible not to immediately take to him. During the evening with the Sprangers family we enjoyed lively conversation with much laughter (as well as much wine) making it one of those experiences that is so enjoyable you don’t want it to end.
Since that delightful evening, there have been other wonderful opportunities to spend time with Chris. Each occasion has left us feeling the same; uplifted, energized and looking forward to the next time. The last time I was able to see Chris and the family was October of 2016 when I was visiting Sarah and Thomas on my own in Amsterdam. Chris had been having a hard uphill battle with his illness; spending much of his time resting. I was worried he wouldn’t be well enough for a visit. When Sarah had been speaking with Saskia who said it would be OK to come to the house, I was ecstatic. Sarah and I took the train to Haarlem where we were meeting Thomas, expecting Saskia would pick us all up from the station. However, as we exited the station, there was Chris! He had driven himself to collect us from the station which must have been an enormous feat of strength for him. I will never forget the image of him standing there smiling, animated and dressed ever so smartly sporting these fabulous red shoes. As with our previous times getting together there was a free flow of conversation, a lot of laughs and the usual delicious food prepared by Saskia along with liberal quantities of wine. And just like other times, I was reluctant for our visit to end. There was one last surprise; Chris insisted driving the three of us back to Amsterdam. During the entire time from arriving in Haarlem to being delivered back to Amsterdam there was no hint of how Chris must have been feeling. That is the kind of person he was.
Compared to many who are mourning the loss of Chris, we have known him for only a short time, although it feels as though we have known him for a lifetime. This is what we believe to be true about Chris.
Chris lived a life of curiosity; always learning and trying new things.
Chris wasn’t afraid to go down the roads less travelled or go against the grain, which may have got him into trouble from time to time.
Chris enjoyed his creature comforts but was happy with the simpler things in life; spending time with family and friends, good conversation, reading and listening to music and well placed humour.
Chris loved his garden, good wine, and good food, adding to Saskia’s mastery in the kitchen with his own.
Most of all, Chris loved his family and I sense that through his illness, became even closer to them all.
The last few months have been a challenge for Chris. As he always had, he fought bravely, squeezing the most he could out of his last days. I like to think of him as he was at the train station in Haarlem, wearing those fabulous red shoes that to me, symbolized his strength of spirit and love of life. Chris’s body may have left its earthly home but his spirit lives on in the hearts of those who love him.
