"That's my son!"
Today I played some Sinterklaas (St Nicholas) songs, in the retirement village, where my father (91) now resides, looking old (But what can you expect?) and very well-looked-after. He has been there for just over a year.
The picture on the wall is of the late Mr Anton Kool, who was re-elected every time to be the chair person (He did not want to be called: President) of the NSW Federation of Netherlands Societies. 
For twelve years, my father was president of one of those Dutch-Australian societies. Until, after prolonging its life a little bit beyond the 25 years that the original committee had intended, the candles were blown out, with my father, then ex-president, present. 
He had a habit of rubbing his hands, when he was extra pleased, e.g., when he was welcoming visitors to his adopted country; or something that he’d organised was appreciated; or his grandkids did something special! 
As far as I know, there was one other person, beside me, present today, who had known my father in full flight; organising things and people, left, right and centre.
There’s nothing wrong with that. Things change. And the more things change, you know what!
At least, today, he saw me play and he had a chance to boast.
MrJoop
On Saturday, December 6th, my son, daughter, and I will be taking the chocolate letters, taai-taai, pepernoten, etc., to my father, in the village, to maintain the tradition that their mother and I revived for the family, in 1981.
MrJoop
We did that last year too, when he had not come to the Sinterklaas visit. So I took my accordion and played it in his room. :)
MrJoop
Meanwhile, Ron, from across the road, calls out, every so often when he sees me, out the front of the house: How’s the old fella?
From late 1972, when my parents (and I) moved here, they have been friends. In recent years, Ron would come wandering over several afternnos a week and listen to the same stories he’d heard so often before.
Sometimes, when I looked in, Ron would be asleep, while my father watched t.v., and grinned at me, nodding towards Ron.