When I was living hours away, though my parents got older, I never had to worry they’d need help with the yard, or that they’d be snowed in, because they were blessed with wonderful neighbors. My parents befriended young Henk, the immigrant farm hand who lived in the tiny house next door. Perhaps because my father’s mother had once been an immigrant farm worker, or maybe because my stepmom had spent much of her own life away, and the friendship grew when Henk married Bettina.
The young couple raised their kids and took over the operation of the modern dairy operation across the road. Although my Dad never regretted his own decision not to go into the family farm business, I know he was glad of the chance to see how a modern Canadian dairy farm was run. Henk gave him at least one guided tour, and Dad (whose childhood on the farm didn’t include indoor plumbing) was tickled by the idea that modern Canadian cows were give showers!
When my own family moved back to the Elmira area, although my son played soccer against their sons (the “Shuurrmanators”) one year, I didn’t really know Henk and Bettina Schuurmans myself. But every year I’d see their Christmas card on my parent’s fridge. And later, when my mom went to live in the nursing home, I know Bettina would visit her.
With their kids grown, no doubt serious concerns about political unrest threatening the food security of the Canadian supply management system and so called “free trade” agreements that always seem to leave Canadians worse off, Henk and Bettina Schuurmans decided to set off on a cross-Canada tractor trek to promote Canadian Milk and family farming.
So it was a huge shock to learn their Tractor trip ended in tragedy. In the light of day, somehow the semi truck driver didn’t notice their very large distinctive vehicle, and the tragic accident claimed Bettina’s life.
I understand Henk is recovering after surgery, and I hope on the way to a full recovery, but I’m saddened that he and his family have had to suffer such a terrible loss.
Image Credits
My photo of “Sunset across the Floradale Road” released with a Creative Commons Attribution License
“Henk and Bettina Schuurmans’ #CDNmilkTOUR” from Dairy Farmers of ON @OntarioDairy
Contribute to the Henk & Bettina Schuurmans & Family gofundme page