My Brother. Daan Eduard Harmsen.
This is you, to me, brother in arms. Both figuring out, learning, and defending our identity, who we are.
We are Harmsens, family, brothers, sons of Jenneke and uncles. We live with a forced distance, that frustrate us both which causes rifts due to unshared experiences and lack of understanding. Now in this past week of reflection, I am able to witness, through long chats with those you loved, how all that distance was just a facade, a mirage of perception. A deception, of the devil's making.
How unnecessary all that frustration actually was. How false, time and distance is, to be used as an excuse. It was the easy way out, and Daan, I am sorry. We always connect in recognition of how bloody similar we are (we love each other), and yet how our environment and circumstances had made us learn to adapt so differently ( do you remember how much that pains and amuses us?). Yet, In all that awareness, we both demonstrate, how resilient we are to remain Harmsen’s. How through turmoil our hearts only grow bigger. And We realize how the world could not afford a place, with the three of us together. We are adventurers, conquerors, breakers, and builders - loyal to the last.
You make it man, you do it, and you forever make us proud. Never to be forgotten, always there to guide us and remind us who we are. Harmsens forever, and forever better.
While there are those who are physically present, we the Harmsens will forever be your pallbearers, your loyal torchbearers through the veil of uncertainty of each approaching tomorrow.
As we watch with wonder how your light shines eternal. My dear brother. Daan.