Ode to Mireille Geus | Overcoming grief

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Mireille Geus, born and raised in Amsterdam, is a writer who has dedicated her life to telling stories that reflect deep emotions and human experiences. Mireille is a woman who always feels a little uncomfortable when she introduces herself by her name. “I am Mireille Geus,” she says, “but yes, that is your name, isn't it? It always feels strange to say it like that.” For Mireille, it is not just about her name, but about the many layers that make up her identity. She is a mother, a writer, and a woman who has always tried to get the best out of herself and her environment.

Mireille has lived in Amsterdam since she was a child, a city that means so much to her. As someone who has spent most of her life in the city, she feels strongly connected to the culture and energy that Amsterdam radiates. She has a great love for the city, especially because of the diversity it has to offer: from art and culture to parks and architecture. She has seen the city change, but the core of what Amsterdam means to her has always remained the same.

Overcoming grief

Amsterdam is not just a place for Mireille to live, it is a city that offers comfort and helps her remember who she is in difficult times. Mireille was born in the city and spent much of her childhood there. When she recently turned 60, she decided to go to the street where she had lived as a child on her birthday to reflect and reminisce. She describes it as a moment of processing, in which the city took her back to her childhood, as it were, and helped her to better understand the loss of her mother.

“When you are sad, Amsterdam can be a source of inspiration. For example, when I go to the Van Gogh Museum, art can comfort me. It helps me to keep thinking, to keep going,” says Mireille. For her, art is a powerful tool for dealing with grief, something that has often helped her in her own life.

One of the greatest challenges Mireille has had to overcome is the loss of her mother. She says: “My mother died when I was nine years old, I was still a young girl.” Mireille still misses her mother, but when she became a mother herself, she found it a difficult time. “When you become a mother and you no longer have a mother, it is tough. You have nothing to compare it to, you can't go to your mother for advice.”

This early experience of loss has had a profound effect on Mireille and has shaped her into the person she is today. Instead of seeing her grief as an obstacle, Mireille decided not to remain in the role of victim. “I missed her in my life but did not want to be a victim. I have always fought to move forward and find other people who could love me,” she explains.

Writing about grief and loss

Mireille's experiences with loss and grief have inspired her to write books about these subjects. She has written several children's books, including “Mama, ik mis je” (Mama, I miss you), in which she shares poems for children who have lost their mother. “It took me years to write this book. It was only when I was older that I thought: this book has to be written, for children who are going through the same thing,” she says. This book is a way for Mireille to process her own grief and help others at the same time.

“The book is about missing someone, about not having someone you need. And for children it can be so important to know that they are not alone in that feeling,” says Mireille. Writing this book was a way for her to express her own pain and at the same time offer support to others who are going through a similar experience.

The power of connection in Amsterdam

Mireille believes that Amsterdam, with its rich culture and diversity, is a city that can help people process difficult experiences. The city has always enabled her to connect with her own past, but also with others who experience similar pain. “What Amsterdam does for me is that it takes me to places from my past. I can go to the street where I was born, or walk through the Vondelpark. It helps me to think and to process.”

She believes that living in a big city like Amsterdam allows you to realize that you are not alone. “So many people live in a city like Amsterdam. You can connect with others, even if you feel sad. There are always places and people who can help you,” says Mireille. These connections, both with the city and with other people, are a source of strength for her.

Mireille hopes that by hearing her story, people will understand that everyone has their own challenges. “Nobody grows without encountering real problems. Everyone experiences pain, sadness, regret or fear. Whatever you are going through, you are not alone,” she says. She hopes that her story will inspire others to keep going, even in the most difficult of times.

Mireille also hopes that people will learn that it is important to follow your own path and be yourself, regardless of the challenges you face. She believes that Amsterdam, with its openness and diversity, is a place where everyone can find what they need to grow and heal.

Women who have inspired Mireille

Mireille mentions several women who have been important in her life. Her mother, although she died at a young age, had a lasting influence on her. Her aunt, who took her in after the loss of her mother, also plays an important role in her story. “My aunt was like a mother to me. She helped me grow up,” Mireille says with a smile. “And the mother of a good friend took care of me when I was a teenager. So in that way I found people to grow up with.”

Mireille also greatly admires Femke Halsema, the mayor of Amsterdam. “Femke Halsema is a woman I really admire. She stands up for her city, and despite the many problems, she tries to connect people and find solutions. I find that inspiring,” says Mireille.

Mireille Geus has dedicated her life to understanding and processing loss and grief, and her work reflects this personal journey. Her books, her reflections on Amsterdam, and her determination to use her own experiences to help others make her a powerful voice for people who must navigate through pain and grief. Her story is a reminder that even in the most difficult of times, there is always room for connection, self-discovery, and growth.