Vincent Verhaag Remembers a Different Christmas This Year Without Hardy Iskandar, Jessica Iskandar's Father

Kapanlagi.com - The passing of Hardy Iskandar, Jessica Iskandar's father, on Saturday (28/12/2024) has brought deep sorrow to the extended family. Vincent Verhaag, Jedar's husband, expressed how this year's Christmas celebration felt very different without the presence of the father-in-law.

"Not everyone (gathered), because at that time the condition of my father wasn't very good," said Vincent when met at the Sentosa Gatot Subroto Funeral Home on Sunday (29/12/2024).

According to Vincent, during Christmas they only gathered briefly at home with the children to create a pleasant atmosphere despite the grief.

"So just at home with Erik and the kids, and that was also just for a short while, just so the kids could have a bit of the Christmas sensation actually," he explained.

1. Don't Want to Burden the Children with Sorrow

Vincent Verhaag and Jessica Iskandar © instagram.com/inijedar

As a father, Vincent feels it is important to maintain his children's happiness amidst difficult times. He realizes that children, especially the little ones, do not fully understand the situation that is happening.

"We also have to think about our children, there is a baby who was just born, there is Don, there is Enzo, Eizen, El, even though we are all sad," said Vincent.

However, he emphasizes that the feelings of grief should not be placed upon the children. Therefore, the family continues to strive to provide a cheerful Christmas moment for them.

"But we shouldn't burden the children who don't know anything. So we try as much as possible to celebrate Christmas for them," added Vincent.

Vincent reminisces about how Christmas in previous years was always filled with joy and laughter with the extended family. However, this year the atmosphere feels different because Hardy Iskandar has been called by God.

"Oh yes, this year's Christmas is different from others. Usually everyone gathers, smiles, laughs, and is happy, cheerful all around, but this year my father-in-law may have been called by God, so yes. That's life, what can we do," he expressed with deep emotion.

2. Vincent Tries to Take Responsibility

Although it is difficult, Vincent tries to see every situation from a positive side. For him, challenges, blessings, and fortune are part of life that must be faced with an open heart.

"If it’s said to be heavy, yes it’s heavy. If it’s said to have many blessings, yes there are many blessings. If it’s said to have a lot of fortune, yes there is a lot of fortune. If it’s said to have many challenges, yes there are many challenges," he said.

As the head of the household, Vincent feels responsible to remain strong for his family. He believes that positive thinking will attract good things into their lives.

"As long as our hearts are positive, the law of attraction, as it’s called in English, if we think positively, we will also get positive vibes. So yes, no matter what, as the head of the household, I have to try to be strong," Vincent concluded.

Jessica Iskandar's family is currently trying to support each other during this time of grief. The body of Hardy Iskandar is scheduled to be cremated on January 1, 2025.

(kpl/aal/phi)