The country I choose to live in - proud to live here

'Een laatste eer bewijzen' - RTL NIEUWS: http://youtu.be/q5chfZJeiuc

So before you click on this link, a fair warning. It will give you the goosebumps and very likely will make you cry.

The last week was horrible for my home country of choice, but everybody paid their respect to the victims of MH17. For me it was to lay down flowers at Schiphol, and of course, my flag was half staff yesterday and we followed the minute of silence.

But what these people did, is far more awesome. It was a hot day here yesterday, unusually hot for dutch circumstances even. But rather than going to the beach or pool or relaxing in their backyards, all those people came out to the highway to give the victims of MH17 an appropriate welcome. People of all ages and all social backgrounds, united in paying respect to those who were taken just too soon.

I feel blessed to live in a country like this. The Dutchies might come over cold and even rude to foreigners at times, but in times like this, they show who they are. I hope we can keep this spirit even after the victims got identified. I hope that we don't get caught up in everyday pity again. That we can keep this spirit alive. The victims families and friends will need our support and care also after the victims found their last resting place. Which might take months for some.

Our country isn't perfect. But as long as we're capable of this deep compassion, we aren't that bad, there's hope.