Where we are grateful to Tineke Verburg

Presenter Tineke Verburg passed away this weekend after being ill for a long time. She will be missed by many, remembered for all sorts of wonderful programs, but she will always remain for me that woman who gently took back her unfaithful partner in the most amazing way.

It was like this: Tineke's boyfriend left her for another. He had undoubtedly practiced for a while before he really dove in without any strings attached. Tineke found out and she was plotting revenge. Sweet revenge. Not the kind of revenge where you scratch a nice etching on his car door with your car key or (although I find this quite funny too) flooring it with his car past all the speed cameras in the area, no, Tineke came up with something better. She removed all the buttons from all his shirts, stuffed them in a bag, and handed it to him with the legendary words: “If she can sew so well, she can handle this too.”

Oh, Tineke. I hope you don’t mind that I mention this while there are a thousand things on your resume that have more eternal value, but know that actions like these empower other women. You were a role model in many ways. I hope you have found peace and relief.