Loes Bouman, a 100-year-old woman, reflects on her life, highlighting the impact of her solitary upbringing and the importance of moving past hardships. Having been accustomed to solitude since childhood due to her mother’s preference for no visitors, Bouman now appreciates her ability to be alone. She initially hesitated to be interviewed, considering herself “too ordinary,” a sentiment she attributes to the subservience expected of women in her generation.

Bouman recalls a childhood home where her mother was the dominant figure, making all the decisions, including unexpectedly buying a car. This car, with a license plate representing the ages of her parents and herself, became a symbol of her mother’s independence. Bouman’s father, a municipal clerk, was submissive to maintain harmony. The family lived in a relatively large house in Ammerzoden, where her mother, feeling unfulfilled as a housewife, maintained an impeccably clean home.

The absence of friends and a tense atmosphere marked Bouman’s early years. Her mother forbade her from bringing friends home, leading her to spend her time reading. Bouman remembers the distance and lack of affection between her parents, which created an unpleasant environment.

A turning point in Bouman’s life came with the arrival of the village midwife, Doetje Bij de Leij, who became a positive influence. Doetje, an unmarried and independent woman, provided Bouman with attention, took her on bicycle rides, and offered intellectual stimulation that was lacking in her village.

Bouman eventually married Piet Bouman in 1945 and moved to Scheveningen. She contrasts her relationship with her sister, with whom she never developed a close bond, reinforcing her feelings of being an only child.

Bouman resolved to create a different family environment for her own children, one filled with equality and openness. She wanted her children to feel free to bring friends home and embraced the “mess” that came with it.

Tragedy struck when her husband Piet died unexpectedly at the young age of 36, leaving her a widow with three small children. Despite the challenges, she managed with the help of her husband’s pension and her father’s support. She recalls the unkindness of the nuns at the kindergarten towards her grieving children.

Bouman found happiness and independence in her later years, raising her children and eventually buying a caravan to go camping. She values the freedom and lack of worries during this time. She returned to work at the PTT.

Despite witnessing the rise of technology, Bouman never felt the need for a computer or television, relying on neighbors for important news and events. Her key life lesson is the importance of letting go of negativity and avoiding worry, as it serves no purpose.