No Place for Extremism
I may have been critical of my native country Belgium in the past, but yesterday’s events in Brussels solidified friendships and my love for my people’s resilience and way of life. IS, ISIL, ISIS, Daesh (or whichever way they want to be called next) may think they won another war on foreign soil, but the western world is ready to shatter further illusions of jihadism and hatred harder, faster and louder. There simply is no place for extremism in our world. Many thanks to the emergency services, fire department, police, Belgian army and all those who helped people caught up in the terror attacks. For updates on the ongoing situation, please visit the BBC News website here. © Willeke Van Eeckhoutte and Ireland, Multiple Sclerosis & Me, 2011-2016. Unauthorized use and/or duplication…
Identity crisis
WordPress Daily Prompt: Say your name Write about your first name: Are you named after someone or something? Are there any stories or associations attached to it? If you had the choice, would you rename yourself? Photographers, show us YOU.” My name is a story of yes versus no, of not liking it, to being very recognizable because of it. It’s a story filled with confusion. When I was born, my mum wanted me to be called ‘Maya’. However, when my biological father returned from the registry office, he walked in waving my birth certificate at her, mentioning the name ‘Willeke.’ Ouch.
Thank you
No man’s an island, we weave connections through waves of emotions, through faith and happy occasions. This month, I’ve been very lucky to have found waves meeting others, and to have found people with the kindest of hearts, the softest of voices but the strongest of minds. This is for them. Joan, Aoife, Niamh, Karen, Declan, Trevis, Lucina, Miriam, Diana, Natalia, Ava, Ruth My GP, MS nurse, neurologist, ophthalmologist and many others in the two hospitals I attend The many friends back in Belgium and in Ireland, especially Claudia, Dirk, Susie, Jean, Audrey and Gratiane and as always: My mom who never gives up, even in the strongest of seas, every single day. ©Willeke Van Eeckhoutte and Ireland, Multiple Sclerosis & Me, 2011-2014. Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material without…
Christmas!
© Willeke Van Eeckhoutte and Ireland, Multiple Sclerosis & Me, 2011-2012. Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Willeke Van Eeckhoutte and Ireland, Multiple Sclerosis & Me with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
My brother’s silence
Grief, a tear in my mind when others talk about their brother. A hug I cannot feel anymore. A future we will not share anymore. There is a silence I cannot place, memories that are beginning to fade. The silence he leaves behind, follows me in places in Ireland I know he would have loved, he would want to return to time after time.
Blog Awards Ireland 2013
Yesterday I found out that a friend nominated me for an Ireland 2013 Blog Award. Needless to say I am chuffed, and blessed! In return I want people to know how honoured I am to have gathered so many followers who are interested in what I bring. Even if you don’t blog yourself, you are the backbone of my reason for writing and I happily return the favour by reading and seeing your work. Reading individual stories often makes me chuckle and laugh, think and discuss. Since there are only a few days left to vote for the Ireland 2013 Blog Awards, I have a favour to ask you. Since finding out that there is even such a thing like Ireland Blog Awards, I’d be totally in awe if you…
Back to Ireland
So many things represent us, shows our character, our inner feelings, our life. I chose this picture because the world through my eyes is always moving. Forward most of all, sometimes backwards. My world however also consists of simple, pure stillness. But even when the world is spinning quietly, stillness is waiting to explode into forward motion or motion is waiting to return to sheer tranquility. Living in Ireland for over ten years now, my world has become one of airports, packing bags and looking forward to step onto that Aer Lingus plane once again. My love for movement is therefore always represented by airplanes, and nothing excites me more than taking off and landing. Flying to and from Ireland is a joy that cannot be replaced. WordPress Weekly Photo…
