A portrait today of a special lady called Cock (85), which is short, in Dutch, for Cornelia.
I always find it very special to portray women in their 80s and 90s and to be able to tell a part of their story.
Tell us something about yourself.
I was born on the 18th of November 1934 in Sint-Pancras, a small town in the north of the Netherlands. I used to have 3 children, but nowadays I have 2. My daughter passed 18 years ago. I also have 7 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren, who I love very much.
When I was young, I loved to play handball and scouting. Nowadays I like to walk, ride my bicycle, knit and do puzzles. When you get older, your hobbies tend to change.
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Can you tell us about love?
I am crazy for love! And I have had a few in my days, I can still remember them all by name. Until, of course, I found the one and only…! Oh no, I am saying it wrongly, he hooked me up, in 1954. We met at “Café Spoorzicht” in Sint-Pancras. It was freezing outside, so we had to say goodbye very quickly! I still remember the date, it was the 9th of January, so in the middle of winter.
He came to visit me at home frequently in those days. And every time we said goodbye to each other at the door, my dad would “accidentally” walk into the hallway to grab his hat. Of course, he was spying on us.
How about your life and health?
I still feel healthy. I have problems with my memory, I forget a little now and then, but I enjoy my life. One thing I appreciate a lot these days is that I am free to go wherever I want. I also love the sun! It seems like the weather is getting warmer and warmer.
What would you say is the strangest thing about becoming an older woman?
Even though my health is good, I tend to forget more and more. The problem is that I hardly notice my forgetfulness. The people around me notice it all the time, which can make it difficult and awkward sometimes.
When the doctor told me I was showing signs of dementia, it didn’t bother me that much. I thought, “well, it comes with my age.”
What are you most proud of?
I am most proud of my two boys. I am also proud of my grandchildren and my great-grandchildren. I realize I am very blessed to have them.
And I am also very proud of myself. I am a breast cancer survivor, and this year cancer-free for 35 years. I did lose one breast, but that never bothered me much. Being alive is much more significant than having both breasts.
What do you regret the most?
Moving from our home at de Dorpsstraat to Grenswoude. We moved from the house we lived in to an elderly home in town. The reason why? I thought we were too young to move into an elderly home. But my husband wanted to, so I followed. I still miss our house every day.
What makes you happy?
My boys and my grandchildren make me very happy. Also, the fact that I am still healthy. A glass of wine makes me happy ones in a while. I also love being with my sisters, every Wednesday, we call each other to catch up.
What is the hardest thing you’ve ever done?
Saying goodbye to my daughter. She died of cancer at the age of 42. Within 3 months, she was gone. The hardest part about it was that I felt that I didn’t really get a chance to say goodbye because it went so quickly.
What scares you?
Nothing scares me really, not even death. Death will come either way.
What is your age?
I am 85 years old.
Cornelia is wearing a sweater by Replay, earrings are vintage YsL
Styling by Dayenne Bekker
Makeup by Esher van Maanen
Hair by Mark van Westerop for ProSolo Alkmaar
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