Historical sensation

A memory from seventy years ago: I am four years old. Our family is travelling by train from our home city of Rotterdam to Ermelo, where my grandparents live. We change trains in Amersfoort. The local train to Zwolle gathers speed. “Pay close attention,” my mother says, “then you’ll see a beautiful old gate.” For barely a few seconds I have the Koppelpoort in view. Ever since, it has been etched into my mind’s eye. I feel a slight jolt in my body, something like a mild startle. And I remember a feeling of happiness. An emotional moment.